suggested rust remover for leatherman pliers

[ColonelX]

i accidentally ran my skeltool throught the wash today, i noticed some light rust on the pliers, some came off with cue tips and purell but some is more stubborn, any suggestions on what i should use?

Cheers!

the colonel

 

[Andrew Colglazier]

I thought those leatherman tools were all stainless?

Anyway, try some WD40 and some steel wool. The rust will leave some slight pitting, but most of the discoloration should go away.

Andy

 

[Seals]

I thought those leatherman tools were all stainless?

Anyway, try some WD40 and some steel wool. The rust will leave some slight pitting, but most of the discoloration should go away.

Andy

StainLESS not stainFREE. Good suggestion:thumbup:

 

[Andrew Colglazier]

StainLESS not stainFREE. Good suggestion:thumbup:

That is a good distinction. I've had several Leatherman multitools and though they got used and abused, I never saw any rusting or real discoloration until my wife used one to hold something while welding. Of course some of the spatter got on the tool. Now, the spatter is what rusted, not the tool itself, but what a mess!

Andy

 

[CaptInsano]

I don't remember what its called, but I've been using one of these rust eraser bars with great success lately.

 

[Whitedog]

A little Wd40 and some 0000 steel wool works very well.

 

[powernoodle]

WD40 and a Scotchbright pad. :thumbup:

 

[Captain Ron]

http://www.evapo-rust.com/ Should work with rusty knives.

 

[Mark1967]

Barkeepers Friend is what I use on my kitchen knives. You could buy it at almost any grocery store. I don't think it contains any abrasives so it shouldn't harm your finish. Better check on a hidden spot just in case. WD40? Ouch. I was told to never use that stuff on any of my guns. I don't even try. I think it penetrates too deeply and causes problems. Maybe you’re OK on a knife though. For example, though not related, if you polish pistol or rifle brass with polishes that contain ammonia, it will literally fall apart. I have seen this with stored cleaned brass with my own eyes.

 

[spoonrobot]

WD40 and a Scotchbright pad. :thumbup:

That's a pretty bad idea for any kind of steel, not just multitools.

When cleaning a tool avoid the Green Scouring Pads seen below. They actually scratch the metal and visibly destroy the finish as well as creating an environment that is more conducive to rust.

I used the pads on the PST mentioned earlier in this thread and never noticed because the tool was so used but after scrubbing down a SuperTool and seeing the damage created by the pads I must correct myself.

One should only use stainless steel or copper scrubbers to clean the rust/grime from tools. They work well in conjuction with dishsoap and are easy on the finish but tough on rust.

 

[rmfnla]

I thought those leatherman tools were all stainless?

Anyway, try some WD40 and some steel wool. The rust will leave some slight pitting, but most of the discoloration should go away.

Andy

WD40 & steel wool is perfect.

Light rust on stainless should not leave any pitting.

 

[hushnel]

I second the rust eraser, I have a few of these and they can do a pretty good job of restoring tools without messing them up.

 

[chtudor]

i accidentally ran my skeltool throught the wash today, i noticed some light rust on the pliers, some came off with cue tips and purell but some is more stubborn, any suggestions on what i should use?

First post since joining, sorry for the response to a I'm sure long dead post.

I just did this to my old leatherman that I bought in the Coast Guard.

Disassembled the buggar and threw it in the tumbler (you reloaders have these) I left it in overnight and looked brand new my mid-day the next day.

 

[Darkkyle]

What is the name of the rust eraser?

 

[Darkkyle]

The brand i found is called sandflex. Is this the brand you used?

 

[richard thurman]

alot of people make the eraser. I sell alot of them at thew gun shows.

 

[Darkkyle]

ok but what is the brand to buy that wouldn't mess up your blade?

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

What is the name of the rust eraser?

I've actually seen these sold under the name "Rust Eraser" in at least a few places (A.G. Russell's site has 'em).

They are abrasive. On a satin finished blade, probably not a big deal. But they definitely will alter (scratch) the finish of a polished blade. Use it with some discretion.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Barkeepers Friend is what I use on my kitchen knives. You could buy it at almost any grocery store. I don't think it contains any abrasives so it shouldn't harm your finish. Better check on a hidden spot just in case. WD40? Ouch. I was told to never use that stuff on any of my guns. I don't even try. I think it penetrates too deeply and causes problems. Maybe you’re OK on a knife though. For example, though not related, if you polish pistol or rifle brass with polishes that contain ammonia, it will literally fall apart. I have seen this with stored cleaned brass with my own eyes.

Bar Keeper's Friend isn't very abrasive, if at all. However, it performs it's cleaning function using oxalic acid. It chemically removes rust. It will harm some metals (like aluminum, silver, pewter, gold, etc.), so you need to read the label warnings carefully before using it.

By the way, I'm not knocking this product. In fact, I do like it very much for removing rust from steel. It's also excellent for cleaning metal (steel) filings from ceramic sharpening stones. I also found it perfect for removing rust stains from china/stoneware plates which were left in a wet sink with steel utensils laying on them. Since it works chemically, there's essentially no scrubbing involved. Just rub it on the stain with some water, then wipe the stain off & rinse thoroughly. It's that easy.

 

[cj65]

Barkeepers Friend is what I use on my kitchen knives. You could buy it at almost any grocery store. I don't think it contains any abrasives so it shouldn't harm your finish. Better check on a hidden spot just in case. WD40? Ouch. I was told to never use that stuff on any of my guns. I don't even try. I think it penetrates too deeply and causes problems. Maybe you’re OK on a knife though. For example, though not related, if you polish pistol or rifle brass with polishes that contain ammonia, it will literally fall apart. I have seen this with stored cleaned brass with my own eyes.

Be careful with Barkeeper's Friend. It has oxalic acid, and an abrasive which could etch and scratch the finish. BKF is an awesome product, but I use it to clean my sharpening stones, not rust on my knives. You may try a mild metal polish such as Flitz. It can also change the finish if you rub alot.

Just read Obsessed, this is what happens when you read the op then post without reading the rest of the threads. OWE, I do believe there is an abrasive in the BKF, it works great on my porcelain sink.