Am I the only one who hates the bead-blasted finish used by Leatherman? Because of my body chemistry, my sweat really rusts up bead blast finishes. Even without using the object, a bead blasted tool (knife blade, screwdriver, etc.) will have small rust spots on it just from being in my pocket. So, I used the steps below to remove the bead blasted finish. I didn't take the tools apart, but I got in every crease I could. The tools don't look polished, but they're not rusting any more.
-Dry everything. No lube or oil.
-A Dremel with sanding disc (with 200-grit sandpaper glued to it) goes over every tool, both horizontally and vertically, to remove the bead blast finish. Get as close as you can to the pivots. If your Leatherman has bead blasted pliers, do them as well. Close the tools and do the previously-hidden hinge points. The insides of the handles can be done if you wish.
-The Dremel is then used with a smooth paint removal bit. Same procedure as above. Get the pivots and pliers.
-Wipe all the crap off. Use WD-40 or similar liquid metal cleaner. Dry everything.
-Using a bronze bristle attachment on the Dremel, repeat step one. You should be able to get deeper into the crevices. Remember to do the tool when closed as well, and to go both horizontally and vertically.
-Use the soft cotton attachment on the Dremel. Repeat step one.
-Wipe everything down, clean and dry. Very dry.
-Apply simichrome polish (Flitz, whatever you use) to the tools and rub by hand with 0000-grit steel wool. Do this with each tool, one at a time, and remember to get everything. Horizontal and vertical.
-Wipe down again, removing the polishing compound.
-Use a coat of Tuff Glide, Rem Oil, or whatever your lube of choice is. Rub it on, as if polishing, with a clean cotton cloth. Lube the pivots.
-Likely, you've dulled the blade somewhat. Touch it up.
Like I said, it won't put a mirror shine on the tools, but it will keep the rust away. Has anybody figured out another way of keeping the rust off the bead-blasted components? (Yes, I know, wipe it down at the end of the day.)
-Dry everything. No lube or oil.
-A Dremel with sanding disc (with 200-grit sandpaper glued to it) goes over every tool, both horizontally and vertically, to remove the bead blast finish. Get as close as you can to the pivots. If your Leatherman has bead blasted pliers, do them as well. Close the tools and do the previously-hidden hinge points. The insides of the handles can be done if you wish.
-The Dremel is then used with a smooth paint removal bit. Same procedure as above. Get the pivots and pliers.
-Wipe all the crap off. Use WD-40 or similar liquid metal cleaner. Dry everything.
-Using a bronze bristle attachment on the Dremel, repeat step one. You should be able to get deeper into the crevices. Remember to do the tool when closed as well, and to go both horizontally and vertically.
-Use the soft cotton attachment on the Dremel. Repeat step one.
-Wipe everything down, clean and dry. Very dry.
-Apply simichrome polish (Flitz, whatever you use) to the tools and rub by hand with 0000-grit steel wool. Do this with each tool, one at a time, and remember to get everything. Horizontal and vertical.
-Wipe down again, removing the polishing compound.
-Use a coat of Tuff Glide, Rem Oil, or whatever your lube of choice is. Rub it on, as if polishing, with a clean cotton cloth. Lube the pivots.
-Likely, you've dulled the blade somewhat. Touch it up.
Like I said, it won't put a mirror shine on the tools, but it will keep the rust away. Has anybody figured out another way of keeping the rust off the bead-blasted components? (Yes, I know, wipe it down at the end of the day.)
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