Removing Dia-Paste

[cziv]

I had two nice leather strops charged with dia-paste for some time. I believe they lost 90+% of their zip after many months of stropping my knives.

I've sanded them down with 220 sandpaper and the strops feel smooth and look clean & clear of the paste.

Is there anything else I need to do to clean them before re-charging the strops now? I may even try them bare for kicks and see how they do.

I prefer the dia-paste on my balsa strops - that's why the reclamation project is underway. Thanks

 

[Jason B.]

Use lighter fluid or hand cleaner (Orange goop I think) to make sure the surface is clean, standing leaves behind lots of leather dust. WD-40 also works to remove the diapaste is you don't want to sand.

 

[cziv]

Use lighter fluid or hand cleaner (Orange goop I think) to make sure the surface is clean, standing leaves behind lots of leather dust. WD-40 also works to remove the diapaste is you don't want to sand.

Thanks man! :thumbup:

I have lighter fluid & hand cleaner. I'll give it a thought and decide on one of them. I suppose the lighter fluid's naptha will dry almost immediately which is a good thing or bad - not sure no that but I'd wager they're about clean right now since I didn't really have them loaded heavily.

I sanded the h*ll out of 'em with 220 and a sanding block and wiped them down every few minutes - as you said that leather dust piles up quickly. It took a long time to bring them back like new but it was worth an hour or so to get two nice strops back. :yawn:

I bought them from Mr2Blue - a member and an excellent strop maker.

 

[Jason B.]

The lighter fluid works well and the quick drying is a plus.