Sweat stains. How to get rid of it?

Cosmic Superchunk · Jan 16, 2004

I went out for a jog yesterday and decided to tote my Al Mar Sere folder, but after I got home I just removed the folder and set it down. This morning I noticed what appear to be some sweat stains on part of the blade which I tried to polish out with some Hoppe's Gunmetal polish. Well, the blade is nice and shiny, but the stains are still visible. Does anyone have any ideas or products to recommend that can remove the stains?

VampyreWolf · Jan 16, 2004

it works on cadet drill boots... vinager.

bob bowie · Jan 16, 2004

Howdy,

The stains are going to be permenent, sans refinishing. Try something like Flitz, if that doesn't work, try flitz plus micro-grit sand paper(or ultra fine steel wool).

The stains sometimes go away, but leave "gosts" in the metal.

If they're not that bad, I'd just live with them.

Danbo · Jan 16, 2004

Before you use any kind of sandpaper, try an old heavy wool sock with the Flitz. If that doesn't get it out, it will need refinishing.

Cosmic Superchunk · Jan 16, 2004

I figured that I'd probably have to use some ultra-fine sandpaper, but I'll try looking for Flitz. I'd try the vinegar trick, but isn't vinegar corrosive itself?

alan aragon · Jan 16, 2004

get a sheet of 1500-grit wet/dry for a buck or so. take some time & re-do the entire blade.. it'll look much better than how you bought it. ooh-wee.

Jazzman · Jan 16, 2004

Vinegar may be corrosive but I can't see it doing too much damage myself. Still I think that the flitz trick may work better.
Matt

Cosmic Superchunk · Jan 16, 2004

I figure vinegar and water may work, but I will have get me some Flitz. I wonder if Brasso would work? Has anyone tried to use it on steel?

VampyreWolf · Jan 16, 2004

I use zippo fluid to clean... metalglo, brasso, or autosol to polish.

Cosmic Superchunk · Jan 16, 2004

Cool, thanks for the tips.

Rugger · Jan 16, 2004

Any knife that may see salt water, sweat, etc. should get a thorough rubdown w/ a Tuff Cloth.
http://www.sentrysolutions.com/tuf-cloth.html
End of problems w/ rust spots.

allyourblood · Jan 16, 2004

if none of this works, try this (seriously?): put sweat on the rest of the blade to even it out. gross, but it just might work.

abe m.

Cosmic Superchunk · Jan 16, 2004

Originally posted by allyourblood
if none of this works, try this (seriously?): put sweat on the rest of the blade to even it out. gross, but it just might work.

abe m.

LOL!
Then I could truly say that I put alot of sweat in maintaining my knives.

Cosmic Superchunk · Jan 17, 2004

I tried the vinegar trick and it didn't work, but I did buy some Flitz and used it. While the stains are still somewhat visible, it's a vast improvement from what it looked like before. That Flitz is great stuff. Thanks for the tips guys.