Thread: 50/50 Acetone & ATF For Rust Removal?

50% Acetone/50% Automatic Transmission Fluid...

This is a somewhat common do-it-yourself mix for use in freeing up seized bike engines and I've used it quite successfully in the past for that.

Just wondering if anyone has tried this or something similar in the past OR if anyone can think of an immediate reason 'not' to use that on razors.

I recently moved all my razor stuff out to the workbench in the garage and had to get the last remnants of bike stuff out of the way. I saw my bottle sitting there and got to wondering if it would work as a bath to do initial clean-up on rusty/crusty razors. I've tried, unsuccessfully, a few times to win eBay auctions on seriously rusty stuff but I'm obviously not seeing the potential in those pics as the price gets way outta hand really quick. So, I don't have a 'sacrificial junker' razor to try this on; otherwise I'd just do it and post pics of my results.

?? Ideas/Opinions??

Acetone is an active solvent for celluloid. I would be careful around celluloid scales. Other than that I do not know, I have never tried it.

In my experience with rust and crud nothing beats some sort abrasive.

Charlie

I did find some references to using acetone on razors to glue/remove insets so what I was thinking for the ATF/Acetone would be just the razor itself after removal of scales.

It sure seems likely it would work but I did an impulsive bath with cider vinegar on a blade not long ago after seeing that as a suggestion on American Restoration and the rust removed quickly but the blade was many times more darkened upon removal. So, the time I may have saved myself with the cider vinegar was mitigated by the significant extra time polishing.

I've used sandblasting at about 60 to 80 psi with .50 micron aluminum oxide and a fine tip nozzle works amazingly. Takes all of 5 minutes to completely de rust a blade and no real removal of good metal. I've done that with about 5 blades now with fantastic results.

I hear you there... But, for right now anyway, I'm trying to get away with as minimal an approach as possible... Removing pins with flush cutters/punches, polishing by hand, etc. I've let things get a bit out of hand (Imagine 'Wife' standing behind me with arms crossed and firmly shaking her head for emphasis...) with Hobbies in the past so I'm trying to ease 'er back a bit. The upside of which is that I could go a little nuts buying razors and shaving gear initially.

In the future if I find things aren't working out then I'll be in the market for a drill press, sandblaster, buffer... and... and... and...

Yeah, I have an advantage as I have one at work I can use. That makes things way easier.