dumbest newbie ever

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04-01-2008, 05:27 PM
ottoman

dumbest newbie ever

You won't believe it, but I did it...
I got my hands on a nice piece of razor on a flea market and decided to give it a try. Took it home, and started cleaning the blade and scales. After some brushing and cleansing, I decided to boil it, in order to sterilize the blade. So, I boiled it for about 10 minutes - note, it has metal scales -, and as I would have done with my DEs, I added some vinegar to the water and boiled it for another 10 minutes.
After returning to the kitchen, I got shocked! The blade turned black! :eek:
I think I "burnt" the blade with the vinegar, as there was a thick black coat covering the blade - except the scales (most be plated with nickel).
So, I think I deserve the title of "dumbest newbie ever"...
Now, after getting my self into trouble, because I did not ask for your advice, I need your help, gents! How can I get the blade to shine again?

Here are some pics I took after the disaster:

before any brushing or rubbing
http://tkfiles.storage.live.com/y1pi...gqN51d3U01WtMM

after brushing with a toothbrush and some dishwasher
http://tkfiles.storage.live.com/y1pi...WTkujaUsFXGpHI
http://tkfiles.storage.live.com/y1pi...siC2YfBHn3qoNM
http://tkfiles.storage.live.com/y1pi...8aL2nc9X25Iyvo
http://tkfiles.storage.live.com/y1pi...K7G-5dONLjLj2Q
04-01-2008, 05:33 PM
JMS

Maybe the second dumbest but not the dumbest!;) I would try a little maas to clean her up with and hopefully that will be good enough!

Don't worry about it as I have seen this scenario pop up now and again, Your not the only one!
04-01-2008, 05:41 PM
ottoman

Thanks for raising my spirits! :)
04-01-2008, 05:55 PM
sicboater

This might be a good option for your blade...

check out this thread on tumbler cleaning. Good luck!:tu
04-01-2008, 06:01 PM
nun2sharp

It looks like the acid in the vinegar got the best of you. try some thing like the maas polish mentioned before, simichrome, flitz, never dull some thing along those lines hopefully it didnt eat too far into the metal and is purely a surface thing. if it goes beyond normal polishing come back and let us know and we'll get you set up for the next plan of attack, i think you will be pleased with the help you can get from this forum. god bless and good luck
04-01-2008, 07:48 PM
JoshEarl

You etched the blade, essentially, in a very uncontrolled manner. Carbon steel doesn't like acids such as vinegar.

I'm guessing that it's going to leave some pitting, so you'll probably need to sand it if you want to remove the damage.

Live and learn. :) :gth

Josh
04-01-2008, 08:08 PM
ottoman

Quote:

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

try some thing like the maas polish mentioned before, simichrome, flitz

Thanks for the tip! Although, I do not think I can get any of the above mentioned over here. So, what ingredient shall I look for in a metal polish, and what compounds should be avoided?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

I'm guessing that it's going to leave some pitting, so you'll probably need to sand it if you want to remove the damage.

I think I am gonna try metal polish first, and take some pics afterwards, and ask for further advice from you guys!

Thanks for all your helpful comments, gents! :tu
04-01-2008, 08:15 PM
JoshEarl

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottoman

So, what ingredient shall I look for in a metal polish, and what compounds should be avoided?

Well, vinegar for one thing... :D Sorry, couldn't resist.

Josh
04-01-2008, 08:41 PM
Kenrup

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

Well, vinegar for one thing... :D Sorry, couldn't resist.

Josh

Snap! Any standard metal polish will not harm carbon steel. I use Simachrome as it is actually a bearing polish. I will use MAAS for lighter needs as is it is less expensive.

You should see what boiling water does to celluloid scales :o
04-01-2008, 09:26 PM
richardhead

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenrup

You should see what boiling water does to celluloid scales :o

That makes me think of the dubl duck I sent you with the warped scales... :D
04-01-2008, 10:54 PM
Philadelph

I agree to try metal polish of any kind, but I kind of doubt that will do it. I'm betting you will need to sand it.
04-02-2008, 10:51 AM
Kenrup

Quote:

Originally Posted by richardhead

That makes me think of the dubl duck I sent you with the warped scales... :D

That's why I use a heat gun now. Last year I saw one of my prized razor handles melt in a pot. :cry:
04-02-2008, 10:55 AM
bjorn

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottoman

Thanks for the tip! Although, I do not think I can get any of the above mentioned over here. So, what ingredient shall I look for in a metal polish, and what compounds should be avoided?

I think I am gonna try metal polish first, and take some pics afterwards, and ask for further advice from you guys!

Thanks for all your helpful comments, gents!

Instead of MAAS you could use Autosol, I think that one is easier to locate in Europe.
04-04-2008, 02:58 PM
ottoman

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjorn

Instead of MAAS you could use Autosol, I think that one is easier to locate in Europe.

Thanks for the tips, guys! So far I did not manage to get Autosol, but it seems to be available here too. Tomorrow I will have some more time to look around the city.

What I did manage to get, are the so called "wet papers" or "auto-papers" by Klingspor (Germany). I have now the following grits: P80C, P100C, P150C, P180C, P220A (auto-flex), P240A, P280 (this one was made by Hermes), P320A, P400A, P600A, P800A, P1000A, P1200A, P1500A, P2000A, P2500 (this one was also made by Hermes).
Is there a difference between the P(number)C and P(number)A labeled papers? If so, what is the difference?

I will try to get some Autosol tomorrow, and try to work with it on the blade. I will let you know how it goes.
04-05-2008, 08:43 PM
asbjorn

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjorn

Instead of MAAS you could use Autosol, I think that one is easier to locate in Europe.

Ah, so autosol is equal to MAAS?, I was looking at it, but was not sure.. I already bought, erhm, Autoglym Metal Polish, but made a mess out of it..
04-05-2008, 11:21 PM
chancecatalyst

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

You etched the blade, essentially, in a very uncontrolled manner. Carbon steel doesn't like acids such as vinegar. Live and learn. :) :gth

Josh

Yeah, we all saw the blade that Josh "accidentally" turned black with acid...:w
04-13-2008, 03:03 PM
ottoman

8 Attachment(s)

Okay. So, after the polish material I could get did not work, I started handsanding. I slowly progressed from 80 to 220 (P80C, P100C, P150C, P180C, P220A). I have spent hours sanding, and now I really respect those who do it by hand! :bow

My question is: shall I progress, or step a few grits back? Actually, I was thinking about spending another hour sanding with the 220 grit.

Any suggestions? :thinking:
04-14-2008, 06:41 AM
Bruno

Depends.

It looks OK as it is, however, the cardinal rule of handsanding (if you want a perfect finish) is that you do not go up in grit until ALL pitting is gone.
I know it is tempting, but damage is removed the fastest with low grit paper.
the higher the grit, the longer it will take.

So if you really want to get rid of the pitting and make the blade pristine, then you have to stay with 180 or 220 max until you cannot see any damage anymore.
04-14-2008, 08:26 AM
ottoman

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruno

Depends.

It looks OK as it is, however, the cardinal rule of handsanding (if you want a perfect finish) is that you do not go up in grit until ALL pitting is gone.
I know it is tempting, but damage is removed the fastest with low grit paper.
the higher the grit, the longer it will take.

So if you really want to get rid of the pitting and make the blade pristine, then you have to stay with 180 or 220 max until you cannot see any damage anymore.

I had a feeling you gonna say that... :(
But never mind! I shall return then to 180 and see how far I can push myself.
I'll be back with some more pics in a few days - I hope.

By the way. Does it make any sense to go below 180? Or does it make more trouble than good - ie deep scratches?
04-14-2008, 03:48 PM
Kenrup

Yes you can go below 180 grit. On extreme cases I have used 80 grit. Just remember, it takes a long time to come up from the large a grit. You also take off a lot of steel. I have seen more then one spine damaged from too aggressive sandy on the spine. Sanding the side of the spine will change the bevel angle on the edge.
04-14-2008, 06:41 PM
ottoman

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenrup

Yes you can go below 180 grit. On extreme cases I have used 80 grit. Just remember, it takes a long time to come up from the large a grit. You also take off a lot of steel. I have seen more then one spine damaged from too aggressive sandy on the spine. Sanding the side of the spine will change the bevel angle on the edge.

Thanks for the answer.
Yes, I think I might have gotten a bit too aggressive; but seeing the damage I have done, I though to myself: I have to go really down on the grit. Maybe I was wrong.
But now the task is to get her shine again, and not to feel sorry about the past.