Looking for Leatherman Rust Removal Techniques

[turnsouth]

I picked up an neglected Core, and I was looking for some cleaning / rust removal ideas. I've already ran it through the dishwasher, and given it a thorough hot air drying, that seemed to take care of the solidified soda pop, and miscellaneous organic material. So what I'm basically looking for are experiences with:

• Cleaning tools
• Proper rust removal abrasives
• Metal polishes
• Etc...

Thanks

[powernoodle]

Were it mine, I'd first try some Mother's Mag Wheel polish.  Apply with a Q-tip or rag, rub for a minute, and wipe off.  I use Mother's to clean just about all of my blades and multitools.  Another approach might be some WD-40 and a semi-abrasive cleaning pad like Scotch Brite, which you can find at the grocery store.

You'll get some better answers.  But thats where I would start.

[Threeme2189]

Steel wool takes rust off nicely without damaging the finish too much.
You could also try tooth paste, It's mildly abrasive.

[MultiMat]

I use a Rust Eraser a lot with good effect  . It is like a pencil rubber/eraser but it has abrasive in it.

Like this one ;

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Super-Eraser-Knife-Ceramic-Sharpener-Metal-Rust-Remover-/310311658729?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item48400424e9

[genevabuck]

A light to medium steel wool works every time.  Then WD40 or oil it. 

[Cyclone82]

If its really bad deep rust you could lightly bead blast it with glass beads, although i doubt many on here would have access to that but you could also try making this

http://www.aircooledtech.com/tools-on-the-cheap/soda_blaster/

Another option is you can get some citric acid rust remover which is pretty mild but can take days of soaking

I can suggest some other more quicker aggressive methods too but i doubt you would need to do that.

With surface rust, you should do fine with some metal polish and steel wool

http://www.autosol.com.au


http://www.ferrofin.com.au/product_en.htm

[turnsouth]

So after your suggestions I figured I'd try some steel wool I had, followed by some metal polish.
I did a small area of the plier head, and it did not leave any discernible scratches, I thought "this is going to work really well". I had a firm grasp and was scrubbing away, thinking about building a soda blaster to get in the little cracks, and the next thing you know I hear "Click".

I look at the handle, and yep, a lock spring had broken. 
 
So as of this morning it's off to Portland, with a few other tools that needed some warranty.
 
Not a bad thing in itself, what with Leatherman's great warranty service. But, with the broken spring in the handle, it will most likely come back as an ST 300 instead of a Core.

Time to find another project…

[turnsouth]

Update on the Core:

Saturday was a Good Day at the Post Office

[Zed]

I second the super eraser as there amazing 

[sRD_STi]

I use Nevr-dull and it works great.

[Sea Monster]

DETTOL AND A WIRE BRUSH!

Autosol is top stuff, but might be a bit of a Pain in the buttocks to use on a Multi.

Seriously though, wire brush and oil (just make sure you get a wire brush made of softer stuff than the Multi. ie brass.

[sjdep97]

Glad it all worked out for the best. LM sure takes care of business!