Melted my screwdriver

[Matt018]

Its stupid, but i sprayed my handle on my Williams hard handle slotted screwdriver with Carb cleaner and it got soft and the etching wore off. It still works but was wondering if i could get it warranted? I don't really care but it may be a nice time to test out the warranty before i need it.

 

[G_P]

What did you spray on it?

I doubt being melted by chemicals is a warranty issue!

 

[Matt018]

Oh sorry i forgot that, It was Gumout carb cleaner.

 

[Rogue1987]

Personally if I melted a screwdriver (My screwdrivers melting usually involve electricity in place of chemicals) I don't think I'd try to warranty it.

 

[el tanque prohibido]

It's the acetone in carb cleaner that melts the plastic.

 

[puttsy]

Normally if it's my own stupidity that damages an item I do the honest thing and just keep it for parts (i.e. I CAN'T throw it away but don't want to dishonestly warranty it) but in your case, I would contact Williams. I would expect a decent quality driver to stand up to it's "Chemical Resistant" portion of many warranties because in many peoples cases, that's a daily encounter. I've gotten generic carb cleaner on some cman driver handles and haven't noticed an issue...but that was overspray or 'blow-back'.

I remember being a kid a watching someone fix a mower...they were taking the blades off to sharpen them and I remember the words "...I really don't like doing this/don't want to do this but I guess I've gotta get it done...". A walk to the back of the garage emerging with a pipe to put on the handle of a Craftsman ratchet. "They have a lifetime warranty so if it breaks, I suppose I'll just return it..." Luckily, it didn't break but from that day I still think "right tool for the job". Still have that ratchet too...hmm THAT would be an 'out of line' lifetime warranty BUT, in your case with the driver? Again, I don't feel that's FAR out of line...

I normally catch my screwdriver handles on the soldering iron so my melted handles are quite obviously MY bad

 

[srmofo]

None of My screw drivershave ever melted from simple carb cleaner....might be worth calling them

 

[mitusa]

It's the acetone in carb cleaner that melts the plastic.

This^^^^^

I put some of my old screwdrivers in some of the acetone/AT mix....looked like melted ice-cream. No big loss and I learned something for cheap$.

 

[SINISTER]

Paint on plastic does not mix with carb cleaners of any kind.

When you clean plastic parts you want to test on inconspicuous area, or just use stong degreaser. De-greaser like purple power or super clean do the trick. Simple green also works but its not to strong unless diluted 0%.

De-greaser wont ruin anything besides single stage paints.

 

[Matt018]

Alright I figured with the hard handles A quick spray and wipe would get rid of the oil residue I had on it, I will call them Monday morning about it. If it was something i did wrong then I wouldn't want to warranty it but that driver was almost new and for me its always been common practice to use whatever cleaner is handy when I'm wiping off a tool.

 

[91bronc300]

If they won't warranty it try drying it out for awhile and sanding it smooth, or do whatever it takes to clean the handle up. 'Ruined' and then tastefully recovered tools have good personality IMHO.

 

[Matt018]

If they won't warranty it try drying it out for awhile and sanding it smooth, or do whatever it takes to clean the handle up. 'Ruined' and then tastefully recovered tools have good personality IMHO.

Its still usable, but the etchings are flat, Its just the finish on the handle is kinda wavy? i guess its hard to explain but it just doesn't feel as good in the hands.

 

[rayh91]

I've used brake cleaner on some of my screwdriver handles. Didn't have a problem but I use WD40 now. Works a lot better.

 

[shampoop]

Avoid using Throttle body or Carb cleaner on anything plastic or rubber. They are probably the most ******** commonly used shop chemicals.

I once noticed that a coworkers large craftsman screwdriver had a perfect deep thumb impression on the handle, said it was from cleaning a TB. Pretty dumb letting that stuff get on your bare hands though.

 

[Matt018]

Huh that's interesting, I thought Carb cleaner was safer to use than brake cleaner. Guess i got the two backwards

 

[thedeatons]

This is why i use QD electronic cleaner (quick dry) for all my degreasing. Napa carries it, but it is way cheaper at walmart. It is not harsh, dissolves quickly, and works on nearly everything. I have been degreasing engines for 7 years with it and no trouble or complaints!

 

[Robbie UK]

I'd expect hard-handled drivers to survive carb cleaner. It's not exactly uncommon to use the 2 items together so worth a shout to the manufacturer.

 

[G_P]

This is why i use QD electronic cleaner (quick dry) for all my degreasing. Napa carries it, but it is way cheaper at walmart. It is not harsh, dissolves quickly, and works on nearly everything. I have been degreasing engines for 7 years with it and no trouble or complaints!

The QD electronics cleaner is amazing stuff that will clean damn near anything.

But it is scary flammable

 

[Gtamazing]

Its still usable, but the etchings are flat, Its just the finish on the handle is kinda wavy? i guess its hard to explain but it just doesn't feel as good in the hands.

What you should do is give it a long soak in the carb cleaner, pull it out and while it's soft squeeze it real hard in your hand. Custom molded to your hand. Done.

 

[archirelic]

Let's see some pics.

 

[Todd.Brock]

Be sure to mention your disappointment in the fact they won't stand up to being cleaned with gum out. Oh tell them what a great pryar it's made all these years too!

 

[CD1]

Try using mineral spirits to clean the grease off, I doubt that will attack your handles.

 

[Matt018]

Be sure to mention your disappointment in the fact they won't stand up to being cleaned with gum out. Oh tell them what a great pryar it's made all these years too!

Your sarcasm doesn't help me, I have had these drivers for a month maybe, and it was only the 3rd or 4th time i used it, I never use a screwdriver as a prybar so I don't really understand what your getting at.

 

[thesilverone]

acetone melts plastic. what else would you expect to happen?

 

[Skin]

I'd expect hard-handled drivers to survive carb cleaner.

Plastics/rubber generally doesnt react well with carburetor cleaner. Ask any manufacturer (automotive or otherwise) and they'll actually tell you not to spray it on anything that is made of such material.

It also dissolves styrofoam and vinyl.