Vinegar/wrought iron solution

[Dennis Glazener]

I am making a trigger and trigger plate out of an old wrought iron hinge. So far lots of nice wrought iron chips that I am saving. Want to use them in either AF or Vinegar/iron stain. Problem is they are stained with cutting oil, anyone know a good way to clean? These are fine chips that are too small for the wire screens that I have. Thought about washing in a series of detergent water, pouring it off etc. Then letting them dry.
Dennis

[JTR]

Dennis, How about laying the chips out on a heat resistant surface, then heating them with a propane torch. The chips should flash red hot in little more than an instant, and 'poof' goes the oil!

John

[Mike H]

Dennis, I think I would try acetone(finger nail polish remover). Good for de-oiling and also evaporates quick.
                                                                                                                                                            MikeH

[Tim Crosby]

  A quart canning jar with a coffee filter rubber banded to the top with a depression it in. Put the chips in the filter and spray with Gunk, a degreaser, it is water-soluble found in auto parts stores, then rinse with warm water while they are still in the filter.  Spread out on newspaper and let 'em dry.

  Tim C.

[Dennis Glazener]

A quart canning jar with a coffee filter rubber banded to the top with a depression it in. Put the chips in the filter and spray with Gunk, a degrease found in auto parts stores, then rinse with warm water while they are still in the filter.  Spread out on newspaper and let 'em dry.

  Tim C.

The other two suggestions probably would work well but I think I will try this one. Have some cone shaped coffee filters, don't know why I didn't think of it (thought of old panty hose but figured most of the chips would stick to it). Have some acetone that I can use without going to buy any.   
Thanks
Dennis

[Acer Saccharum]

I've used detergent in really hot water, then rinse a few times.

I have cut cast iron dry, and have saved a bunch of shavings. I can bring them to Dixon's if anyone wants to concoct their own salad dressing.

[JB2]

Neat!  Vinegar and oil finish!   Interested in how it turns out.

[pushboater]

Panty hose are made out of a synthetic material that will probably disolve when you pour Acetone on it.  The coffee filter or a piece of an old cotton T Shirt will probably work better. 

Capt. David

[Col. Barnett]

Just washing them in Dawn dish detergent and rinse in cold water should do it. Another good source for fine chips is any auto parts or garage that turns rotors & drums.  Cast steel and they usually have buckets of it.  Float off the brake dust and rinse and good to go.
Saw somewhere that Heinz is supposed to be marketing a white vinegar that is 6% acidity for canning but haven't found any yet.
Has anyone compared or noticed any difference between solutions using cider vs white vinegar?

[KLMoors]

Here's some Heinz Cleaning Vinegar at 6%. It says safe for cooking too, so I suppose that it is pure vinegar without other cleaning chemicals.



http://www.heinzvinegar.com/products-cleaning-vinegar.aspx


I googled around a little and couldn't find where to buy it.

[wilkie]

Distilled white vinegar.  Found at kroger, walmart, and other stores.

[KLMoors]

I think most vinegar is around 4 or 5%.?   The 6% might be better because it will hold more iron.



To you chemists- What about this stuff? - -

http://www.amazon.com/Maestro-Gro-20-Vinegar/dp/B0052E9BH2/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hg_1

[Mark Elliott]

The generic stuff from the grocery store works, but it takes a long time.  I have found that it really takes a few months of brewing to really saturate the solution.   I use small slices of wrought iron bar,  that I allow to rust first,  in my solution.   Chips and filings should work better.   I have also tried steel wool.  It dissolves quickly, but it gives a more black color than the rusty wrought iron.  I like a more dark brown color to my stain and the rusty wrought iron seems to give me that.    I mainly use this on leather.   It is more color fast and easier to use that oil based leather dye.

[oakridge]

Distilled white vinegar from the grocery store is 5% acidity.

[FL-Flintlock]

Distilled white vinegar from the grocery store is 5% acidity.

Depends on the brand, check the label because I've seen it from 3-6%.
Mark

[bob in the woods]

We can purchase pickling vinegar which has 6% acid rather than the 5 % regular stuff.
Also, some of the specialty stores carry wine vinegar with a 6 %  rating.
I like to use the  6% and wrought iron filings.  I have a brew going all the time.

[Cory Joe Stewart]

Folks,

I was watching Food Network a couple of weeks ago and the program mentioned vinegar that is available in speciallty shops that is 20%.  I can't remember what it was called other than super strong.

Coryjoe

[Acer Saccharum]

web search results:


You might be able to get 20% acidity vinegar at your local nursery, and there are also quite a few places on-line that sell it. Here are a couple.

Clean Air Gardening:
http://www.cleanairgardening.com/weedvin…

Marshall Grain:
http://www.marshallgrain.com/marshall/pr…

[iloco]

Marshall grain link does not work.

[PPatch]

http://www.marshallgrain.com/

[Rolf]

I've tried 20% vinegar. Can't recommend it. It produced a lot of sludge and a dark almost black stain.
I gather this is because there is to little water to produce the needed acidity.
Acidity = H+ concentration
Vinegar = CH₃COOH
CH₃COOH + H₂O <=> CH₃COO^- +  ⁺H₃0
Best regards
Rolf

[Long John]

Again, I agree with Rolf.  An acid works by dissassociating water and causing it to form hydronium ions, H₃0.  So you need the water!  The strength of an acid is the chemical power it has to cause the hydronium ion formation - not simply the concentration.  While increasing concentration of some acids, nitric, hydrochloric and sulfuric, will increase the chemical activity of the mixture, other acids are too weak to make good use of the increased concentration.  Acetic is one such acid.

Berst Regards,

John Cholin

[KLMoors]

Got it! (I think )

Thanks Rolf and John.

[Dphariss]

I am making a trigger and trigger plate out of an old wrought iron hinge. So far lots of nice wrought iron chips that I am saving. Want to use them in either AF or Vinegar/iron stain. Problem is they are stained with cutting oil, anyone know a good way to clean? These are fine chips that are too small for the wire screens that I have. Thought about washing in a series of detergent water, pouring it off etc. Then letting them dry.
Dennis

You can degrease with alcohol, Acetone or any solvent that evaporates away wrap the filings in a rag and pour solvent through or use a coffee filter. But if reused the solvent can hold enough oil to leave a small amount on the part/chips so use clean solvent.
I have an old light wagon tire. I cut off a chunk and made chips with the mill. Made acid stain. Same exact color as that made with degreased steel wool or small finishing nails. Its the IRON in the steel wool or nails or wagon tire. it does not matter where the iron comes from, though something like 4150.
So I don't bother.
Dan

[Paddlefoot]

The best source of iron I have found yet is a finial for an ornamental iron fence. I bought one finial at a metal supply house for about a buck and a half. I tried the cast iron from a lodge dutch oven and all sorts of stuff and this thing just makes a perfect color.  And I probably have enough finial left for the rest of my life.