Thread: 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!
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


after brushing with a toothbrush and some dishwasher

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!

Thanks for raising my spirits!

check out this thread on tumbler cleaning. Good luck!

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

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.

Josh

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?

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!

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... Sorry, couldn't resist.

Josh

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

Well, vinegar for one thing... 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

Originally Posted by Kenrup

You should see what boiling water does to celluloid scales

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