I've purchased several NOS Petersen Vise Grips (pre-American Tool) and plan to start using them. They have no rust but are covered in old, tacky residue. What's the best method to clean this residue and lubricate moving parts like the screw and rivets? Could you recommend specific brands of grease and oil for this? Are there additional maintenance steps I should consider, such as for the spring? Also, should I apply a protective coating to prevent rust? Thank you.
NOS Vise Grip Maintenance
- Thread starter Motabobo
- Start date
d42jeep
Well-known member
Clean them off with Mineral Spirits or Brake Cleaner. I suggest wiping them down with Fluid Film to prevent future rusting and provide a bit of lubrication. Welcome to the GJ.
-Don
-Don
Zeus36
Well-known member
Kerosene may be cheaper. Lay the Vise-Grips in a bucket and cover them with the Kerosene. Leave for a few hours or overnight. After pulling them out and allowing for evaporation, I'd use Boeshield T-9 (a little goes a LONG way).
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Post photos, please. What kind of packaging were they in?
4xdog
Well-known member
This. In fact, I've started keeping a Fluid Film-soaked wipe in a plastic tub on the bench in place of an oil-soaked rag. It takes only the barest film to keep a tool in good condition.
d42jeep
Well-known member
It doesn’t hurt to spray the pivot points and threads with WD40. Anything heavier attracts dirt.
-Don
-Don
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Thanks. To be honest, when I read "NOS" and "covered in old, tacky residue", and this being the Vintage Discussion Forum, and me being fixated on WWII, I was kinda sorta expecting (or maybe hoping for!) cosmoline and WWII boxes with Federal Stock Numbers! But I can see I'm a few decades and a preservative substance off.
