Tool cleaning question

[rescue4500]

I have a Schrade tough tool with a brownish gunk in between each blade causing them to stick...  Anyone know how I can get it off??  I've tried spray oil  and it didn't work

[SteveC]

I've had success with carb and choke cleaner.

[rescue4500]

I thought about break cleaner

[gregozedobe]

The lighter grade nano-oil has been pretty good at finding its way into the pivots on some Cross-Grips I had that were a bit stiff, it definitely helped.

[rescue4500]

I wonder if pb blaster would work??

[shibafu]

Brake cleaner and carb cleaner sound like good suggestions.  Great at cutting through grease.  Alcohol, mineral spirits, acetone and gasoline are all solvents that would also be worth a try if you have them to hand.

If you've got the black-coated one, you might want to check the effect of any strong solvents on the coating in an inconspicuous area first.

[Sea Monster]

+1 Brakleen.

Es ist gut Scheiße

[powernoodle]

If you use carb cleaner or brake cleaner, it would be very wise to wear safety goggles.  Those cleaners are nasty stuff, and pressurized liquids tend to end up on the corneas.

I'd say to first soak it in some Dawn + hot water for several minutes, agitating it from time to time (physically, not verbally).  If the gunk is grease/oil based, it should disappear.  You can always move up to the carb cleaner if nothing else works.  Good luck.

[SteveC]

+1 on the eye protection with Carb cleaner. Take it from someone who has gotten some in the eye,  it is no fun   

[THE_LONGBOW]

If you use carb cleaner or brake cleaner, it would be very wise to wear safety goggles.  Those cleaners are nasty stuff, and pressurized liquids tend to end up on the corneas.

I'd say to first soak it in some Dawn + hot water for several minutes, agitating it from time to time (physically, not verbally).  If the gunk is grease/oil based, it should disappear.  You can always move up to the carb cleaner if nothing else works.  Good luck.

 +1   I agree. Brake cleaner can be hard on plastic parts of a tool.
I have had new knives that were gritty when opening, so dish soap, hot water, and compressed air worked very well. If needed try using an old tooth brush on the gunk with the soap and water. Try this first and you may not need to buy any chemicals. 
 

[rescue4500]

I know to we'll about break cleaner I do all my own mechanic work!!  And I'd say my best bet will be dawn dish soap to start with

[rescue4500]

If you use carb cleaner or brake cleaner, it would be very wise to wear safety goggles.  Those cleaners are nasty stuff, and pressurized liquids tend to end up on the corneas.

I'd say to first soak it in some Dawn + hot water for several minutes, agitating it from time to time (physically, not verbally).  If the gunk is grease/oil based, it should disappear.  You can always move up to the carb cleaner if nothing else works.  Good luck.

 +1   I agree. Brake cleaner can be hard on plastic parts of a tool.
I have had new knives that were gritty when opening, so dish soap, hot water, and compressed air worked very well. If needed try using an old tooth brush on the gunk with the soap and water. Try this first and you may not need to buy any chemicals. 

I wouldn't  have to buy any I have a building full of automotive cleaners

[rescue4500]

Dawn seems to be removing most but my tools are still sticking......  I guess tomorrow I'll try  break cleaner

[NKlamerus]

Simple Green!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Completely safe and biodegradable. It says don't drink it on the bottle but I have before with no effects whatsoever.

It's a degreaser and an antibacterial.

We use it on bounce houses, washing vehicles, cleaning floors, and we have even scrubbed some kittens with it when they took a swim in oil....

[Smaug]

You tried dish soap already, and still have trouble.

Brakleen is great, strong solvent, but for the amount of time it will be on there before drying up, it may not do that job.

I bet Goo-Gone, Goof Off or a similar product, (kerosene) along with some brushing with an old toothbrush will be more effective. You want something that is part solvent, and with a tiny bit of oil.

Let us know how it pans out.

[strmliner]

If you use carb cleaner or brake cleaner, it would be very wise to wear safety goggles.  Those cleaners are nasty stuff, and pressurized liquids tend to end up on the corneas.

I'd say to first soak it in some Dawn + hot water for several minutes, agitating it from time to time (physically, not verbally).  If the gunk is grease/oil based, it should disappear.  You can always move up to the carb cleaner if nothing else works.  Good luck.

+1

Every used knife/tool that I buy gets washed/soaked in hot water (not boiling water).  If it's an SAK, I then carefully remove the scales and soak it in near-boiling water and Dawn.  Then it gets scrubbed with a strong nylon brush and worked (open/close) until the action feels right.  If something is still sticking, WD-40 and/or Goo-Gone generally finishes the job.  Then I rinse it clean, dry it, and then work it with Boeshield T-9.

These steps have worked every time and the actions are clean/smooth.

[rescue4500]

After a dawn bath and a good cleaning with qtips and wd40 it's in much better shape