Cleaning Fasteners

henry494

henry494

Senior Member
All,

The prior thread about the different techniques used for "unfinished" fasteners got me wondering.

  • What are all the different methods you guys have used to clean piles of fasteners?
I've got boxes of fasteners, some with a bit of rust, light to medium at most, and some with a coating of grease. I've got a bunch to clean, probably could fill a bucket with them. In the past, I've done this a couple of different ways, all very time consuming. I'm looking for a way to do this chore much quicker and thoroughly.

Thanks,

Dave Lopes
 
you could use a can of carb cleaner . im like you & have always done it the hard way . wash the grease & wire brush them all . sorry im no help .... steve
 
To get rid of grease (and paint) I highly recommend Easy-Off original-style spray oven cleaner (the nasty lye-based kind). Spray on, wait overnight, and wash off. For me, this stuff removed a lot of crusted-on crud that degreasers did not affect at all.

Doug
 
Just a thought
Small apartment size washer (used)
Bottle of Touhg Stuff and pail of hot water
Turn on machine and go for coffee
Dump contents on towel to dry
Done!
 
In the past, I have sent boxes of hardware to the local plater to be stripped, cad plated, and baked (to prevent hydrogen imbrittlement). It is a bit expensive but now I have boxes of hardware that are nicely plated. To be "original", I paint the parts where necessary with DP-90 to give them the look of black oxide. For many other parts, the cad finish is perfect. Gar Williams
 
Dave, I let soak in Carb cleaner to get gunk off.. Then either glass bead in a steel basket with small holes in it..I have taken some to a machine shop that has a thumbler and that does a good job..
 
Don't jump all over me BUT if just a few small parts how about a jewelery sonic cleaner or a small rock tumbler?
Paul in CT
 
#1 i soak in [gas or carb cleaner] depending on the amount of hardware for a few days. Once in awhile a shake them up. #2 i drain them and dry them off. #3 i place them in DX579 PPG. Metal Cleaner [EXCEPT WASHERS].Leave them in for 1 or 2 full days depending again on how much hardware you have. #4 , i dry them off and soak them in Paint thinner[this will neutralize the Metal cleaner] .#5 wire wheel brush them. And then i send them to the plater..Nice and clean [rust free.] If you bead blast them you take away the look of the hardware.
 
Once the grease is off, ten minutes or so in muratic acid will take off any rust. I do it outdoors with gloves, a mask, and upwind. rinse well with baking soda solution after.
 
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