Celaning up a well-soaked axe head in WD-40

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Moonw

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Nov 19, 2014
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I have an old axe head (first one!) that has been sprayed liberally with WD-40 and stayed like that for around a month.

My main concern is getting out the stuff from all the nooks and crannies, especially the eye.

Since the stuff is saturated and the bit has just enough rust that will come off with a good sharpening, I am tempted to put (anchor) the bit in icy water and just set the rest on fire. But I'm wondering whether this is a good idea after all.

As an alternative, I'd first wipe off the WD as well as I could, wash a few times with dishsoap and brush, followed by several rubbing (denatured) alcohol wipes with a brush and in the end wipe with acetone a few times.

This all in preparation for electrolysis.

Any thoughts on the above protocols, or alternate ways to achieve the same? Thanks.
 
Get acetone (nail polish remover) or xylene. Both are an extremely strong organcic solvent that will remove any and all oils. Both are also extremely explosive.
 
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Thanks. Should I immerse it in the acetone (for how long?) or sprinkle it all over?
 
Just wipe it with acetone on a rag. Be sure to wear rubber gloves, strong solvents are cancer causing.

Acetone evaporates in seconds.
 
What he said!

Do it outside or in a ventilated area. You could also use starter fluid (ether). Acetone, xylene and ether are all extremely flamable/explosive so beware of sparks. I would spray them on a rag and scrub/wipe it down. Goof off would probably work too
 
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