Removing oil from sharpening stone?

[rpttrsn]

Has anyone tried to remove the oil from a sharpening stone that you have oiled in the past? Can it be done by soaking in a water soluble de greaser? This might require rinsing and soaking a few times.
Then can water be used as a lube on this stone? I know they say that once you use oil you are not suspose to use water.

 

[mete]

I cleaned one that I thought was dished from use. I found that it was just build-up from oxidized oil etc. I boiled it in trisodium phosphate and it came out like new ! Start cold and bring to a boil to prevent thermal shock so it won't crack .Cool slowly too.

 

[Lynn Westfall]

I've used brake cleaner with very good success to clean of the "gunk". I don't know that this really gets all of the oil out but it makes them cut like new. I started out using Gun Scrubber but brake cleaner is so much cheaper.

Whether this is bad for the stone long term, I don't know. I make a few knives and used to use a large medium benchstone to put the initial edge on. It takes a lot of work. A year or two ago I bought an EdgePro that uses the water stones so I've pretty much given up on using oiled stones.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Soak the stone in mineral spirits for a few days.
Then blast it with brake parts cleaner. Then soak it in a detergent/water mix.
Once water starts soaking into the dry stone rather than rolling off, it's ready.

 

[Morrow]

I've boiled mine in plain water for about 10 minutes and had nice results.

 

[rpttrsn]

Thanks for the responses. I give it a try now that I know it's been done with good results.

 

[Soilarch]

I was gonna say gunscrubber, but brake cleaner sure would be cheaper! Looks and works like magic.