Restoring Old Wrenches-How best to clean them?

[Model A Fan]

I purchased some old wrenches for $1 a piece and wanted to clean them up a bit to get them such that I could paint them. I wanted to paint them a hammered finish and then paint "Dad's Tools" or "Name's Tools" or something along that line. I tried tumbling them with steel pins and Dawn Dish soap, but they did not come out nearly as clean as I was hoping.

Any ideas how they could be cleaned up to be ready to be painted and possibly polish the flat parts?

Thanks! And here is a pic of said wrenches.

 

[Lx460]

Wire wheel? Then wipe down with mineral spirits before paint.

 

[Tripn88]

Rustevo works really good. Been doing that with pawn shop finds and got some near perfect wrenches from their junk buckets.

 

[ChrisLS8]

Take them to a powdercoating shop. They will blast them for like 10 bucks.

They would probably coat them for a few more

 

[404]

Rustevo works really good. Been doing that with pawn shop finds and got some near perfect wrenches from their junk buckets.

Not getting any sensible search results for that.
Have a link?

 

[Model A Fan]

I will have to look into blasting them. I have to be able to reach the blasters while I am still motivated.

 

[Joe B.]

Those already look pretty clean to me. I would just start by cleaning them with Simple Green or something similar and then soaking them in Evaporust (or vinegar if you are cheap.)

 

[Conductor562]

Barkeepers Friend and a good stiff brush works a lot of times.

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

Evapo-Rust works wonders.
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I am a ToolAholic,Sometimes I regret it,Especially when the Toolman wont give me no credit

 

[Jure]

wire wheel + wd40

 

[wrenchguy]

leave them, if any were collectable a collector wants them original. put ur time in something more worthwhile.

 

[FMC1959]

leave them, if any were collectable a collector wants them original. put ur time in something more worthwhile.

^^^^ Ditto, to use yourself, they are fine. To sell, like Wrench stated, if they have any value, cleaning and painting would diminish their value.

 

[hangfirew8]

Vinegar and salt water. Keep them completely submerged or it will rust at the line where it comes out of the water.

Of course wire brush and degrease first.

-HF

 

[jakemac]

I'd just degrease them by soaking in Simple Green, rinse, dry, and oil.

If they have rust, then I may give them a light touch with a fine wire wheel to knock it down first.

In the end, it depends on what my ultimate goal is. If it's going to be a user, then I clean it up and give it a light polish. If I'm keeping it as a collector piece, I try to keep is as close to "as found" condition, with only a light cleaning and oil. If it's going to be "wall art", for my own use, then I'll do a full on stripping and restoration.

 

[rhastings80]

You might want to google cadmium plating before you start grinding on them. It's toxic stuff. The dust that is.... Here is some info: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37183