Stripping BK7 - Questions about cleanup

R

randomcut

Joined
Sep 8, 2004
Messages
22
Hello.
I'm expecting my BK7 tomorrow and want to strip the coating right away.
I've been reading multiple post on the process but no one has described the cleanup process.

I understand you scrap the coating off but then do you just rinse the knife under running water in the sink?
Or do you have a separate container filled with water to wash the knife?

I ask this because many people have warned about the corrosiveness of the paint stripper and even the instructions on the paint stripper says not dump it in your ordinary sink but follow your city's hazardous waste process.

Also, when you sand the blade can you go back on forth with the sandpaper or should you use single strokes.

Sorry for the noob questions and thanks for all the helpful information.
 
Most of the strippers are water based and break down with water and waster water management facilities expect all sorts of hazardous stuff to come down the pipe (pun intended) so i wouldnt worry about it. I let it soak in stripper (which isnt corrosive to metal if not left in for months), wipde off the coating that has fallen off with towel and scrape the rest and just throw away. You could let the stripper dry and then scrape it into a garbage bag for disposal. Also i use back and forth strokes to polish it after stripping. starting with 220 and usually ending with 1000 grit (its a harsh start but by the end the scratches are gone) hope that helps. welcome btw
 
You can also use cat-litter to soak it up, then bag it and take it to the garbage.....
 
The above is great to know as I do all my knife mods at work. Cleanup isn't an issue like it would be at home because we have everything nicely laid out for hazmat kinda stuff.
 
Flexxx said:
You can also use cat-litter to soak it up, then bag it and take it to the garbage.....
Click to expand...

Ditto, do this every time. Stuff says it's water soluble but I'd rather not risk it. Also because the litter is so cheap. In terms of rinsing the knife I use a scrap cloth(usually old t shirt) wipe off the excess and wash it with a hose, quick dry and I'm done. Also I use steel wool for a quick clean up and polish. Straight, back and forth, doesn't matter it's really the grits you should be looking at. USE GLOVES! Good ones too. The stripper will eat through your usual latex gloves. Like the ones your doctors use.
 
Scrape all stripper off and then paper towel off as much as possible. I then clean blade with hot soapy water. Then with denatured alcohol.
 
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