Thread: Chemistry

So, I've been sitting here rubbing the tarnish and rust off my latest ebay razor until now, when I'm so fatigued I can't continue.

About an hour ago I had a thought. I remember back in public school we used to put coins in a solution of white vinegar and baking soda for about 15 minutes and they would come out shiny new.

I wonder if it could damage the steel at all to use as a preliminary step to the metal polish, thus saving a LOT of elbow grease. Does anybody know the correct measurements of vinegar to baking soda, also?

X

There is lot of info of removing rust from the blade on the net... I have heard that the electrolysis metod is excelent for this kind of job, try googling for that...

Nenad

I don't remember the exact dilution, but this is what I do.

1 cup of Vinegar to 1 T. of baking soda. Even if the ratio is not 100% you'll still be o.k. Archeologists use vinegar as a very mild acid to clean some ancient artifacts such as old coins...very safe.

I usually let the item sit for a while in the vinegar..10-15 mi. then put in the baking soda, shake the container just a bit to keep the fizzing action going. Then I take a soft cloth and (using the baking soda left in the container) and scrub the item, its a great mild abrasive...then rinse.

Colleen

Thanks tons. I'll try it and let you know.

X

hmmm... That vinegar (pure white one) trick is used to quickly oxidize High Carbon steel on kitchen knifes. The surface turns completely black. It might clean coins, but I am not sure about your razor...

Nenad

I use a paste made of flour and vinegar to clean tarnished copper posts. Works like a dream.

Do not use the electrolisis methods. I have tried this method for restoring woodworking tools (chisels and plane irons) and it gives very bad results. First this does not clean the metal, It will actually oxodize the metal and will turn it black. Second I have learned that steel is not completely pure and even, electrolisis will disolve the softer areas and leave the harder steel in tact. This disolving sometimes looks like pitting and sometime takes on an appearance something like damascas only does not look good. PLEASE learn from my mistakes and do not do this. Once metal is taken away, it cannot be replaced.

I would be equally afraid of soaking in solutions like vinegar or as I have been reading on a Yahoo group that a mixture of water, aluminum foil and "washing soda"

I personally think that if we are interested in restoring these fine tools, then we should do so with lots of care and elbow grease. The sucess of the restoration will be equal to the effort. As with most things worthwhile, THERE ARE NO SHORT CUTS!

I have learned a valuable lesson!! Soaking items (Gold & Silver) in vinegar and soda...works well...so I figured that "Steel" which is really tuff...would be O.K. too.

It never occured to me that because of the different makeup of the metal that it would be harmful.

so having six razors of my own, which need to be restored...what is the best thing to use to remove minor pitting and tarnish.

Colleen