PaperModelers.com

Go Back   PaperModelers.com > Papermodelers' Bar and Grill > First Cuts; A Lounge

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 02-24-2012, 12:54 AM
The Orange's Avatar
The Orange The Orange is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Hollister, California
Posts: 698
Total Downloaded: 2.44 MB
Cleaning Stainless Steel Rods

I bought two different stainless steel rods at my LHS a good two weeks back and they've significantly helped me in achieving very smooth curves. I've tried using wooden dowels, but the results with stainless steel succeed that of the dowels.

However, the stainless steel seems, for lack of a better word, dirty. I believe it's a coating around it, perhaps grease (?), but I've noticed that a rather sludgy, graphite colored residue smudging the paper and any substance that comes in contact with the rods.

I'm taking a metals class this year, and I remember when I used wire to make a project, it was covered in a substance similar to the rods I purchased. I used a steel wool patch to clean the wires.

So I guess what I'm asking is, is it advisable to use steel wool to clean stainless steel rods? Moreso, what is the correct method of cleaning stainless steel rods? I've tried leaving them in a basin of lukewarm + detergent for a day, and I've yet to see improvements. I've tried using successively higher grits of sandpaper, and it seems to be working, though, only at a really slow pace.
Reply With Quote
Google Adsense
  #2  
Old 02-24-2012, 02:02 AM
murphyaa's Avatar
murphyaa murphyaa is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Somewhere out there
Posts: 6,604
Total Downloaded: 313.47 MB
Send a message via Yahoo to murphyaa Send a message via Skype™ to murphyaa
You might try using a degreaser. There used to be a brand called Oileater that worked great. When I worked in a fast food restaurant, we had acres of stainless steel (counters, grill and fryer flues, fridge and freezer doors, etc), and whenever we used degreaser on them, we had to reapply a stainless steel polish to get the shine back.
__________________
My New Website: https://murphs-models.com/
Visit my Youtube Channel
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-24-2012, 04:52 AM
cardist's Avatar
cardist cardist is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Fife, Scotland
Posts: 1,172
Total Downloaded: 2.91 GB
I have used Plastic solvent cement with excellent results as a de-greaser. Mek-Pak or Plastic-Weld are the best for this. Hope this helps.
B.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-24-2012, 08:54 AM
KieferRhys's Avatar
KieferRhys KieferRhys is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Deepest darkest, primordeal Wales
Posts: 96
Total Downloaded: 0
I've recently had excellent results on metalcleaning with cellulose thinners, once the thinners have done their job, rub down with meths, and you should have pristine rods
__________________
Constructive Criticism Is Always Welcomed.
Present Builds - U-Don LEM, UHU Heart Of Gold, Greelt Saturn V Stack
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-24-2012, 11:26 AM
KCStephens's Avatar
KCStephens KCStephens is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: York, Pennsylvania
Posts: 2,252
Total Downloaded: 678.6 KB
Try using a bit of mineral spirits on a scotch brite pad. That should do the trick.
Reply With Quote
Google Adsense
  #6  
Old 02-24-2012, 01:50 PM
dansls1's Avatar
dansls1 dansls1 is offline
Aviation Moderator
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Mt. Prospect, IL
Posts: 3,271
Total Downloaded: 0
Send a message via Yahoo to dansls1
Try some vinegar. Stainless steel is passivated (basically removes any loose iron particles that may rust) in industry using acetic acid - ie. vinegar. Rinse afterwards in water. Should do the trick.
__________________
-Dan
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-24-2012, 03:57 PM
The Orange's Avatar
The Orange The Orange is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Hollister, California
Posts: 698
Total Downloaded: 2.44 MB
Quote:
Originally Posted by dansls1 View Post
Try some vinegar. Stainless steel is passivated (basically removes any loose iron particles that may rust) in industry using acetic acid - ie. vinegar. Rinse afterwards in water. Should do the trick.
Leave it soaking in vinegar or just run it under vinegar?

I forgot to add - It would be nice if the tips were limited to household items - though I do appreciate the input.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-24-2012, 04:15 PM
SJPONeill's Avatar
SJPONeill SJPONeill is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Near the Spiral, NZ.
Posts: 2,824
Total Downloaded: 436.97 MB
Send a message via Skype™ to SJPONeill
Think Dan's hit the nail on the head - we use white vinegar to wipe down our stainless steel benches and they come up looking great, cuts through any grime or residue...aroma is quite good for clearing the sinuses too...
__________________
Please critique my posts honestly i.e. say what you think so I can learn and improve...
The World According to Me
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 02-25-2012, 06:44 AM
dansls1's Avatar
dansls1 dansls1 is offline
Aviation Moderator
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Mt. Prospect, IL
Posts: 3,271
Total Downloaded: 0
Send a message via Yahoo to dansls1
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Orange View Post
Leave it soaking in vinegar or just run it under vinegar?

I forgot to add - It would be nice if the tips were limited to household items - though I do appreciate the input.
I would soak it rather than just wipe, but something like 30 seconds to a minute should do the trick.

Dan
__________________
-Dan
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 02-25-2012, 06:52 AM
MIKBEW MIKBEW is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Essex
Posts: 69
Total Downloaded: 37.92 MB
Without putting any ideas into your head I have stainless steel stairs in my house and was advised to use 'Baby Oil' to clean and then wipe off. For what it's worth ...
Reply With Quote
Google Adsense
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:09 AM.


Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

Parts of this site powered by vBulletin Mods & Addons from DragonByte Technologies Ltd. (Details)
Copyright © 2007-2023, PaperModelers.com