Tool Cleaning

[72targa]

What would be the preferred method to clean-up (dare I say, restore) my original '72 tools?

[blucille]

just picked up an ultrasonic cleaner, seems like this would be a great choice, you pick your favorite chemical (simple green, maybe), throw it in the machine for a couple of minutes, take it out and evaluate....

check harbor freight.

[72targa]

Sounds interesting! I'll make a run by my local Harbor Freight this weekend...

[blucille]

Print out a 20% off coupon first

[Tom F.]

The mystery, to me, is how to duplicate the original plating. Lest we assume it's something fancy, I would point out that the tools in my old Renault 16 had a similar finish.

[jaudette3]

A restoration specialist inspected some DFS wrenches of mine. His opinion is that they're cad plated over zinc plating.

One of fellow enthusiasts is in the midst of some research with his plater right now. Hopefully he will see this thread and post.

I know that Queen City in Seattle and perhaps other highend platers have the capability to analyze materials and determine *exactly* what the plating is.

JohnA

[edmayo]

One of the "tool policemen" in PCA told me years ago when I was doing mine that industrial hard chrome was the correct process,,,,so that's what I did. I think they look good and so far no judge has questioned them.

[hesaputz]

Well - there's correct, and there's ' nobody will ever know'. I've had some pretty sad looking dfs wrenches, and they now look mint. There's this stuff you can buy at Michaels or Hobby Lobby - Rub and Buff. Comes in a small tube, in various silver shades. It's a metallic paint/ wax - excellent for seat rail sliders, lid latches, etc. What you do is clean and de rust the tool with rust neutralizer and scotchbrite, then coat it with this stuff. Let it dry, remove excess, and voila - new wrench. It's even semi- durable if you're the kind of wingnut who actually uses these tools.

[Bill Simmeth]

One of the "tool policemen" in PCA told me years ago when I was doing mine that industrial hard chrome was the correct process,,,,so that's what I did. I think they look good and so far no judge has questioned them.

Ed, would you be willing and able to post a picture or two of how they turned out? Thanks.

[Irish911]

Sonett43, what size ultrasonic cleaner did you buy? What is the longest tool you can put in it? Thanks