Aluminum rivets corroding?

N

Nakano 2

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Jan 1, 1999
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After some wear and handling/ use I' ve found that the blasted finish aluminum rivets/ bolts that secure the scales either tarnish or accumulates surface corrosion. Or does it oxidize? Either way, any hand method with polish will not restore its original finish. Could use a dremel but don' t want to change its surrounding respective scale finish. It is blasted as well. Any simple ideas? Thanks.

Nakano
 
If I remember right from highschool chemistry classes, aluminum forms an aluminum oxide coating almost instantly when exposed to air, this is very thin, and protects the rest of the metal from oxidizing, it is either clear or grey colored I am not sure, but basically aluminum always forms a layer of oxide on its surface, but will not corrode in any dextructive type of manner. I don't know what would cause the discoloration.
Keep in mind I am by no means an expert in this area, and am just trying to remember something from a class I took over 5 years ago.
kyle
 
yes, it oxidizes plenty....word of advice, dont use aluminum for anything on your knives...its great for making fixtures and jigs etc.
 
I suspect the culprit is from carrying in a neck sheath against the body on a regular basis. Tom, since the rivets are there already, how does one remove/ treat the oxide on its surface?

Nakano
 
sand and polish, coat with some sort of varnish....or sand and polish and then wax them......anodizing would help but I dont know about sticking the handle in there.
 
Look around for a chemical "polish". These are typically mild acids that remove the oxidation. Put some on a swab and dab the rivets.

Jeff
 
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