Recently I soaked some old sockets in a tub of vinegar for a couple of days to get the majority of the rust off of them. After I took them out, I wasn't too impressed with the results, so I went to the store and bought a bottle of CLR and poured some in a little tub, without diluting, and put my sockets in there. Now, a couple days later I took them out to find lime scale buildup and some rust still on them. The part that concerns me though is that quite a few of the sockets seem to have the chrome plating wore off and black metal underneath. Are those sockets no longer good? I recall seeing somewhere online, either on this forum or another, that the metal underneath the chrome plating is cadmium and it's pretty dangerous. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Socket Concern
- Thread starter PDub88
- Start date
Nick Danger
Well-known member
Not dangerous. The metal under the chrome is steel.
Can you imagine what it would be like if mechanics had to call a hazmat team every time they scratched a socket?
Can you imagine what it would be like if mechanics had to call a hazmat team every time they scratched a socket?
woody 73
Well-known member
During the war years to save on heavy metals they used the cadmium plating, unless your sockets are from the early 1940's you are ok.
popparoach
Banned
but are the insides chrome or painted?that is what really matters most. /s
kunkernator
Well-known member
Next time, if you are just removing rust, use Evaporust. It won't damage the chrome.