Cleaning up tarnished Damascus

T

Temper

Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
3,011
Guys,
Whats the best way to clean up some tarnished Damascus? Can I just rub it down with 0000 steel wool or is there a better way of doing it? If after cleaning, the colours dont look as vivid, is there a quick home remedy to get the contrast back?

TiA
 
I'd try the finest grit sandpaper/steel wool/polishing cloth you have and "walk backward" through the grits until the contrast comes back.

Example:
My last damascus blade had a 600 grit finish before etching. That made the best finish on that piece. Rubbing it with finer grit paper or polishing paper washed out the contrast. Going back to 600 restored it.

The blade before that, though, had best contrast with a 1200 grit polishing paper. Using a lower grit paper took away the contrast.

So, unless you know what the final finish (grit) was, start with the finest cloth/paper you have and step back through the grits until you find the right one.

It will require some experimentation.
 
Thanks guys, its just tarnish. I have used an automotive paint rubbing compound (very fine) before, but felt that it was too shiny afterwards and lacking a little in contrast. I have some metal polish coming soon and might try the areas under the scales with that. Is it ever necessary to re-etch or is it pretty much set after the first time?
 
Sorry to resurrect this but I'm not having much luck.

I have taken the knife to pieces so that I am just working with the steel. I have cleaned it with wet and dry and 0000 wire wool and some metal polishes but all I have now is a really shiny knife and almost zero contrast. I tried to re etch it in Vinegar but it just made a dull mess. What etchent can I use to get the contrast back that is readily available? Its hard to find a lot of stuff here compared to the US.

The Damascus is 1095 & L6


Thanks
 
Ferric Chloride is best. I'm sure you can find some there in Japan - it's also used to etch circuit boards. There's got to be at least one electronics store around....;)

The other etchants might be more difficult to find. Try that first.

Vinegar just turns steel gray - it's not for etching pattern-welded damascus (bringing out contrast). You need the FeCL (mixed 1:4 with water). Note: add Acid to Water, not the other way around.

Dip it in your mix for a minute or so. Pull out and clean up with 0000 steel wool. Then lightly sand with sandpaper, or lightly buff.
 
Hmmm electronics store.....hmmm there might just be one :D

Thanks Dan, I will see if I can find some without selling a kidney ;)
 
Temper, mix you FC 3 parts water to 1 part FC. Etch 5 minutes and rinse, scrub with old tooth brush and hand soap. Repeat above until desired etching is accomplished. That is a safe and sure way. It should take about 3 or 4 times. Finish by LIGHTLY brushing with 0000 wool or 2000 grit paper.

Periodically move the blade about in the FC while etching. That helps keep fresher FC on the blade surface during the etch process.

RL
 
Thanks guys, I have been looking for it on the net, no surprise that its about as easy to get as rocking horse manure :rolleyes:

Its near as damn impossible to get anything like this, even half a pint of ethanol is $10.00 Lord only knows how much this will cost, if I eventually find it. :grumpy:
 
Sorry to bring this back from the dead but I managed to get some FeCl the other day from a friendly pharacist. The only fly in the ointment is that its in solid chunks. Should I just mix its weight with x3 the weight of water, or as its solid and thus more concentrated than a liquid would that be too much FeCl ratio wise?
 
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