Cleaning Ceramic Rods

Trout Hound

Trout Hound

Joined
Sep 28, 2014
Messages
693
I know there is one of them artsy fartsy pencil erasers that you can use to take steel filings off ceramic rods. Is it the gray molded rubber one, or the tan gum eraser?

Also, periodic cleaning with Comet powder and a scrub sponge, yes?

Thanks!
 
I use Bar Keepers Friend and a green Scotch-Brite pad.
 
Morrow said:
I use Bar Keepers Friend and a green Scotch-Brite pad.
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^^That works the best; especially if it's been a while since the rods have been cleaned. I use the BKF powder mixed to a paste with some water, then scrub the rods with it and the pad. Rinse thoroughly with running water. The oxalic acid in BKF is what makes it work more aggressively (it dissolves the iron oxides), so it can leave the rods looking essentially new with some scrubbing.

If the rods get cleaned up pretty regularly, any pencil eraser can handle a lot of the light marks left after one or two touch-up sessions. Otherwise, the Comet/Ajax scrubbing can work (again, with a green Scotch-Brite), or the same scrubber with some dishwashing liquid & water.


David
 
I currently use Comet and a Scotch-Brite sponge (green S-B pad on one side, yellow sponge on the other) for my Lansky rods. Works just fine. I haven't tried Bar Keeper's, but it seems to be the go-to for a lot of guys here. :thumbup:
 
You guys are all going to think I'm crazy but I tried the BKF and feel that Comet/Ajax works better. They come out like new with a green scrubby pad. Maybe the bleach has me fooled into thinking they are cleaner.

The scrubby pad and cleanser will also get your Micarta looking like new.
 
The Comet / Ajax products have bleach in them as stated above. Barkeepers Friend has oxalic ace as its base. A bit more effective in my experience.
 
Obsessed with Edges said:
^^That works the best; especially if it's been a while since the rods have been cleaned. I use the BKF powder mixed to a paste with some water, then scrub the rods with it and the pad. Rinse thoroughly with running water. The oxalic acid in BKF is what makes it work more aggressively (it dissolves the iron oxides), so it can leave the rods looking essentially new with some scrubbing.

If the rods get cleaned up pretty regularly, any pencil eraser can handle a lot of the light marks left after one or two touch-up sessions. Otherwise, the Comet/Ajax scrubbing can work (again, with a green Scotch-Brite), or the same scrubber with some dishwashing liquid & water.


David
Click to expand...

^^^ This is exactly how I use BKF and I found it works better as a paste!
 
FTR-14c said:
You guys are all going to think I'm crazy but I tried the BKF and feel that Comet/Ajax works better. They come out like new with a green scrubby pad. Maybe the bleach has me fooled into thinking they are cleaner.

The scrubby pad and cleanser will also get your Micarta looking like new.
Click to expand...


I don't think you're crazy. I agree with you 100%! I use ordinary Comet cleanser and a green 'scrubbie.' If I've neglected cleaning for a while and the rod is really grunged up, I'll mix the Comet with Coca-Cola. Carbonic acid instead of Oxalic. Coke can eat through steel like nobody's business! Leaves a white rod looking brand new.

Stitchawl
 
Rods get dirty with age? I've been cleaning my Crock Stik with Comet for 30 years. It must be doing something good.
 
stitchawl said:
I don't think you're crazy. I agree with you 100%! I use ordinary Comet cleanser and a green 'scrubbie.' If I've neglected cleaning for a while and the rod is really grunged up, I'll mix the Comet with Coca-Cola. Carbonic acid instead of Oxalic. Coke can eat through steel like nobody's business! Leaves a white rod looking brand new.

Stitchawl
Click to expand...

I used to do similar when still using my old Sharpmaker (with the exception of using Coca-Cola and Barkeeper's Friend).
 
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