Should I remove old used rubber from my tool?

[Lump]

Ha. Go ahead folks, let's hear the jokes first. Fire 'em at me. I'm ready for a laugh.

But then, after we've heard all the jokes, I really do want to know your opinions on this problem.

I have a small, old-style open-gear ratchet (6" overall length), with a rubber-coated handle. The rubber coating is obviously old and dirty. I have not tried to remove it yet, since I worry that it might be a "factory" coating, which should maybe be left alone. Also, I have not tried to clean it up, frankly because the dark-colored dirt on it helps to show the part numbers for the following photos:

Note that this ratchet is so small and so short that you could assume it to be a 1/4" drive...but it is 3/8".

There is stamped-in writing visible through the rubber coating, shown here in dark-looking characters. It seems to read: "ZT 711" and then an unreadable logo or symbol, and then: "USA". Can anyone recognize a part number like that...or perhaps that logo symbol? Does anyone recognize this ratchet?

I am torn over the decision on whether or not to try and remove that rubber coating. I am anxious to learn whether most of you think it was a "factory original" coating, or something from a can that someone dipped the handle into.

So...do I remove the rubber coating? If so, how do I do that? Does anyone recognize this ratchet?

Thanks so much in advance for any assistance you can offer.

 

[Coach James]

"Should I remove old used rubber from my tool?"

You better or she might get mad.


Coach

 

[Coach James]

If the coating isn't sticky like glue, I might leave it.

Coach

 

[Dale B]

Spray it with WD 40 or the like . I've cleaned up rubber dipped handles that way.

 

[Gmonkee]

You might want to try a light wipedown with thinner. It evaporates before disolving most plastics and rubber and gets most if not all the old gunk off in the first pass.

Brian

 

[selohssa]

Remove it but don't throw it away. Turn it inside out and use it again

Seriously, it will come off easily if you slice it length wise (be carefull not to cut too deep and scratch the chrome) and roll it off with your fingers.

I have done this on a few ratchets that I have bought and the chrome is brand new under the coating.

 

[tonydanzah]

looks like liquid electrical tape or plasti dip

 

[hofferwood]

Give "Scrubs in a bucket" a shot.
Here's a link, just so you can see what I'm talking about http://www.antonline.com/p_42272-GP_398034.htm Graingers has 'em too.

Chuck

 

[mkirkpatrick]

Seriously, it will come off easily if you slice it length wise (be carefull not to cut too deep and scratch the chrome) and roll it off with your fingers.

I have done this on a few ratchets that I have bought and the chrome is brand new under the coating.

That looks like plasti dip, It should just peel off, you might have to lightly wire brush the knurled grip if it doesn't all come off. I really clicked into this post to see what it was about after reading the title. Curiosity got the better of me.

 

[MogeraCND]

Take old rubber off and use spray-on-condom...
make sure that you degreace the handle...

 

[ZRX61]

You might want to try a light wipedown with thinner. It evaporates before disolving most plastics and rubber and gets most if not all the old gunk off in the first pass.

Brian

Yup, handles on all my ChannelLocks look like new. Wipe with laquer thinner, then another wipe/polish with Pledge