cleaning torch bodies
- Thread starter KenC
- Start date
rlitman
Well-known member
Be careful doing something like this. Polishing compounds contain wax, which can be explosive if it gets in the oxygen side of things. Solvents can destroy o-rings.
I'd suggest learning to live with it looking the way that it looks.
If you're the OCD type that needs a shiny torch, you should have bought a Smith. They're plated.
Victors will just get brown over time. Don't sweat it.
I'd suggest learning to live with it looking the way that it looks.
If you're the OCD type that needs a shiny torch, you should have bought a Smith. They're plated.
Victors will just get brown over time. Don't sweat it.
Zeke
Well-known member
You can put a couple drops of dish soap in an once of vinegar and clean your gear. It's not going to hurt them, but they won't look like they came back from the repair shop either. It's a way to make sure no grease or grime builds up. Nothing wrong with cleaning torches if they've been handled with greasy hands. In fact, it's a good idea. If you do this with a little pressure added, you are checking your connections at the same time. Rinse with clear water and dry.
ranger302
Well-known member
I use Zildjan Cymbal polish on mine and it works great.
rlitman
Well-known member
Yup. If you stick to plain old Dawn (not the antibacterial stuff) it is just pure detergent. Nothing in that, that is dangerous in an oxygen environment, so wash away. I try not to touch my torch with greasy hands, but that's not always an option for all.
Doing this with pressure in the torch is an even better idea. Not only is it a leak check, but it also keeps stuff from getting inside. The point is though, don't open up the torch when you're cleaning it. Keep it all together. If you have to clean the inside, take it to a pro, use the proper O2 safe solvents, and do a full rebuild.
Still, you won't get a polished shine from this.
This is what scares me. This contains waxes and solvents, and neither are safe on the o-rings or anything exposed to pure O2.
At the very least, be careful where you get this stuff, and do not use it on a disassembled torch.
ranger302
Well-known member
I use the polish on the Outside Only! I figure the manufacture had to polish it when they made it. I should be fine. I have not had any bad/scary results from polishing.
i use Semi Chrome on a strip of cloth on my Purox 00D about every 20 years or so.....i really need to find some good clear for it
it doesn't have any stupid O-rings either.....and its the only torch i know of that you can change the mixer on too, for using different gases
my Victor Aircrafter? who cares?
it doesn't have any stupid O-rings either.....and its the only torch i know of that you can change the mixer on too, for using different gases
my Victor Aircrafter? who cares?
e-tek
Well-known member
Rubbing alcohol. 3 parts for cleaning, 1 part for drinking.
Steevo
Well-known member
I used the grey scotchbrite pads on all of mine when I went through and cleaned stuff to put it into my new cabinet.
They were all pretty tarnished after many years of service, and now they look like this:
They were all pretty tarnished after many years of service, and now they look like this:
jhn9840
Well-known member
That is a very nice arrangement Steevo. You see many different ideas on this board. I worked in a ship repair yard for close to 20 yrs and never ever saw any one clean anything on a torch other than the tips.
jhn9840
John
jhn9840
John
Steevo
Well-known member
I know. I hadn't cleaned any of them, other than wire brushing cutting tips, in twenty years or more. But when I built a cabinet to put them in, I just got carried away.
383 240z
Well-known member
I personally like the aged look of a well made torch, even more with polished area from my leather gloves. Just my two cents. Keith
jhn9840
Well-known member
BigMike782
Well-known member
I like the chrome on my one piece Smith Lifetime
e-tek
Well-known member
Steevo - that looks over the top for welding tips that belong in the tool box or in the welding cart, so I was gonna say something smart like: "OCD much?", but now I wanna do the same thing!!
*******. LOL!
*******. LOL!
Steevo
Well-known member
Josh, I'll be able to get some additional pics on Thursday.
I cleaned one about 20 years ago and I used Tarnex (yep the stuff they used to sell on TV!) and it worked great! No abrasive pads or even rubbing to clean it all up. I did use some warm water to rinse it all off after using it. No problems with it so far, other than after the 20 years it needs another O ring rebuild kit in it.
William....
William....
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
I use the gray Scotch-Brite to clean up something like that. If you can find it, you can follow the gray pads with the white Scotch-Brite pads, but they are kind of hard to find. Nevr-Dull also works wonders on cleaning brass plus it will leave a thin coating that will help protect them for awhile.
