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plier cleaning?

Bran Diezel

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Mar 27, 2010
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Bristol, Va.
i can get my handles pretty clean with hand cleaner but what gets the metal back to new? ive tried brake parts cleaner and penetrating oil but no luck there.
all you guys' pliers look like they just came off the truck! :bowdown:


tips?
 
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MrMark

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Jan 25, 2010
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You mean get the rust off of pliers? If so, the best method I have found is a little 3 in 1 or breakfree or whatever and a maroon scotchbrite. Actually, I do the scotchbrite dry and wipe with the light oil after. It is really fairly quick and works well if you keep after your pliers.
 

Bull

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Rust, or just embedded dirt and light tarnish?

Good ultrasonic cleaners will make your tools as new as they can look, without actually polishing them. The dirt is blasted right out of all the little nooks, crevices, and crannies.
 

Bull

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Now, will those ultrasonic cleaners get after rust too?

In the old Harbor Freight unit that I had for a month, I added various amounts of vinegar to my cleaning solutions, and yes, it did attack rust.

The ultrasonic by itself isn't going to get rid of rust unless it is loose and flaky. You need to add vinegar to the tank; at least, that's one way to do it.
 

MrMark

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What about re-clearing the pliers? Anybody do that? I think Channellock clears all their pliers. Best not to scotchbrite them because you remove the clear. SO may clear their pliers too, I'm not totally sure.
 

Bull

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HandyManny

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all you guys' pliers look like they just came off the truck! :bowdown:
tips?

Yeah that should tell you something, shouldn't it?? Want to a tip? Want to know who the real pros are?? I'll give you a hint - Look at their tools! The tools that belong to the real pro's don't look new for very long. They're the guys who's tools look very well used, handles stained with dirt and grease, steel is patina'd, there is always some noticeable amount of grit and grease in all the recessed areas of their tools. They're much more concerened and preoccupied with using their tools to fix, build, and restore their vehicles, house or deck. They have more concern with using their tools to get the job done right, rather than polishing their wrenches to a high sheen. Their tools have some scratches, abrasions, and dings in the "no longer pretty" chrome, and they don't cringe when you leave your dirty finger prints on the chrome. They don't worry about how their ratchets sleep at night, or how their wrenches are carefully layed out so as not to touch one another, or color coordinating their tool boxes, etc, etc.

In spite of this they treat their tools with respect because they know the monetary investment they had to make in them spanning years, their tools are taken well care of, and wiped down after a job and stored correctly in a proper storage tool chest or tool box. The tool owners themselves generally are much like their tool, they always have dirty finger nails and slightly stained rough hands. This may ruffle some feathers here in GJ forum and it's not meant to, just being honest. You have two types of members here, tool user, and tool collectors. I'll just leave it at that.
 
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back2class

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Yeah that should tell you something, shouldn't it?? Want to a tip? Want to know who the real pros are?? I'll give you a hint - Look at their tools! The tools that belong to the real pro's don't look new for very long. They're the guys who's tools look very well used, handles stained with dirt and grease, steel is patina'd, there is always some noticeable amount of grit and grease in all the recessed areas of their tools. They're much more concerened and preoccupied with using their tools to fix, build, and restore their vehicles, house or deck. They have more concern with using their tools to get the job done right, rather than polishing their wrenches to a high sheen. Their tools have some scratches, abrasions, and dings in the "no longer pretty" chrome, and they don't cringe when you leave your dirty finger prints on the chrome. They don't worry about how their ratchets sleep at night, or how their wrenches are carefully layed out so as not to touch one another, or color coordinating their tool boxes, etc, etc.

In spite of this they treat their tools with respect because they know the monetary investment they had to make in them spanning years, their tools are taken well care of, and wiped down after a job and stored correctly in a proper storage tool chest or tool box. The tool owners themselves generally are much like their tool, they always have dirty finger nails and slightly stained rough hands. This may ruffle some feathers here in GJ forum and it's not meant to, just being honest. You have two types of members here, tool user, and tool collectors. I'll just leave it at that.

LOL! I agree 99%
 

HandyManny

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You have two types of members here, tool user, and tool collectors.
It's just not that simple.


I know I know. Of course not! Just seems like more and more guys today are far less willing to allow their tools to develope their own hard earned badge of honor - character. The second their tool start to gain it, their owners wipe it away or clean it off.
 
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Yojinbo

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Feb 14, 2010
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Oklahoma
I like hanging out in a place that has both users and collectors (and a ton of folks who are both or neither).

It gives a lot of different perspectives.

Back to topic, I use CLP on my pliers. A little rubbing with a shop rag to wipe off the excess. I live in a humid area and I worry about rust inside the joint.
 

HandyManny

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I like hanging out in a place that has both users and collectors (and a ton of folks who are both or neither).

It gives a lot of different perspectives.

Back to topic, I use CLP on my pliers. A little rubbing with a shop rag to wipe off the excess. I live in a humid area and I worry about rust inside the joint.

Truth be told I do to. Wasn't bashing anyone (well maybe slightly poking fun at :)), just simply responding to the comment the OP made about how some people tools always look as prestine and new as the day they were bought off the truck.

CLP - good input. I remove grit and build-up from the jaw teeth with shotgun action cleaner. The high pressure jet basts the gunk right off.
 

LAROKE

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Yeah that should tell you something, shouldn't it?? Want to a tip? Want to know who the real pros are?? I'll give you a hint - Look at their tools! The tools that belong to the real pro's don't look new for very long. They're the guys who's tools look very well used, handles stained with dirt and grease, steel is patina'd, there is always some noticeable amount of grit and grease in all the recessed areas of their tools. They're much more concerened and preoccupied with using their tools to fix, build, and restore their vehicles, house or deck. They have more concern with using their tools to get the job done right, rather than polishing their wrenches to a high sheen. Their tools have some scratches, abrasions, and dings in the "no longer pretty" chrome, and they don't cringe when you leave your dirty finger prints on the chrome. They don't worry about how their ratchets sleep at night, or how their wrenches are carefully layed out so as not to touch one another, or color coordinating their tool boxes, etc, etc.

In spite of this they treat their tools with respect because they know the monetary investment they had to make in them spanning years, their tools are taken well care of, and wiped down after a job and stored correctly in a proper storage tool chest or tool box. The tool owners themselves generally are much like their tool, they always have dirty finger nails and slightly stained rough hands. This may ruffle some feathers here in GJ forum and it's not meant to, just being honest. You have two types of members here, tool user, and tool collectors. I'll just leave it at that.

Ditto thet.

Of course, I'm also the kinda guy that parks his primered (not rusty) hot rod farm truck at the car show, sets up his folding chair, cracks a beer and watches the other guys polish their rides.
 

HandyManny

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Ditto thet.

Of course, I'm also the kinda guy that parks his primered (not rusty) hot rod farm truck at the car show, sets up his folding chair, cracks a beer and watches the other guys polish their rides.


:lol_hitti What a guy!!! :lol_hitti :thumbup:
 

Simplespeed

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Jul 23, 2010
Messages
329
Mine are pretty rusty/dirty/dark looking. I recently bought a new pair of pliers, warrantied a pair of matco needle nose and bought a new pair of dikes. My drawer looks funny with these bright colors. Luckily i got to use two of them today and got em a little dirty so they dont stand out so much.

When the shop is really slow, ill clean my tools up a bit. I do care for them and appreciate their quality but i also count on them to help me make money. I care more about how durable the tool is and being able to count on it to do its job when i need it rather than how shiny and well organized it can be.
 
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