Rust Removal from Feeler Gauges?

[rjohnson]

Just wondering if there is a way without causing damage.

 

[trainwreck]

0000 steel wool maybe. I know you can use it to take surface rust off of blued steel without damaging the bluing (very much at least.) I imagine that if it's gentle enough to not harm bluing, it ought to be gentle enough to not change the width of the gauge.

 

[BD1]

hi, soak it in pure straight vingar. then you can use wire wheel or scotch brite. I bet this will amaze you. i used this on rusted old pliers from garage sale and they look like new. Caution, it will or may remove chrome. soaking time depends on rust condition. let us know how it worked. good luck, bob

 

[Kirbot]

Fine steel wool works great.

If the rust is too thick to take off like that, it's probably too far gone to try and save.

 

[ChiffChiff]

Why bother? A new set is what, 5 bucks?

 

[Kirbot]

If he already has the old set, of course it's worth saving.

Assuming he already has the steel wool (as any shop should) I would think it's worth the 5 or 10 minutes it will take to clean them. Especially if there good ones.

A new Starrett set will set you back over $40.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006J4DJE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[woody 73]

I think that when you start with any cleaning you will remove metal,note you might not see it but it will come off; and once that happens the gauge is not going to be as accurate. For your peace of mind buy a new gauge!

 

[Kirbot]

I think that when you start with any cleaning you will remove metal,note you might not see it but it will come off; and once that happens the gauge is not going to be as accurate. For your peace of mind buy a new gauge!

Feeler gauges just aren't that accurate to begin with.
Even my best ones don't check out perfect on my micrometer.
The few millionths they might lose, won't make any difference.

If he were using a course knotted wire wheel on an angle grinder, there would be a problem. But not with fine steel wool.

 

[Keep]

Just use the vinegar. Let it soak over night then just wipe them off with your blue shop towels.

 

[rjohnson]

Steel wool & vinegar. I'll keep that in mind. I would buy new but they only have light surface rust & are expensive, 2 Mac, 1 K-D, & 1 Brown & Sharpe.

 

[ServiceWithIntegrity]

http://strongarmsprays.com/
This stuff works great on restoring neglected tooling.

 

[american lockpicker]

I would get new ones.

 

[DavidB]

I'd go with EvaproRust or 0000 steel wool.

 

[D9H 90V]

id get new ones aswell, last set I bought were USA blue point's for less then$10

 

[DrkMtnDew]

steel wool will work fine. yes the thickness will change, already did as soon as it rusted. is it enough of a change to worry about probably not. if there is even a shadow of a doubt about accuracy, buy new.

 

[JustBob]

Steel wool & vinegar. I'll keep that in mind. I would buy new but they only have light surface rust & are expensive, 2 Mac, 1 K-D, & 1 Brown & Sharpe.

If it is light surface rust, try this, works really well for polishing rust off of tools...

 

[Bo Heck]

Electrolysis

 

[nissan_crawler]

I started keeping all of mine in a glass jar of kroil, including thread gauges, spark plug gap gauges, etc. I just spray them off with degreaser when needed. I got tired of buying new sets due to rust all the time.

 

[mkdive]

oooo steel wool....and I love break free. It will help clean the rust a little but it will leave a light protective film to help keep rust at bay later.

I use it on my gun parts, MTB parts, hell even on some pieces for my motorcycle sees some break free CLP. The stuff works for what I need it to do. And the bottle last a long time!

 

[mrholeshot]

Just depends on what kind they were to start with. If it's anold set of KD's I'd just toss them. It ot was something that got op int some cash I'd try to save them. Even then it would depend on how bad the rust was. I keep mine in a small wooden box. They are coated with clean motor oil