Dealing with rusty cuffs

Hi i just got some cuffs that are a tad rusty what would be the best way to clean them up and to stop them getting any worse? Could i use wd40 or would maybe somthing like a gun oil be better. Many thanks martin

Of course rust is a natural protection for the metal and sometimes they look worse if you clean it off. But if they are mostly plated i can understand you wanting them to look better. For what you want I would search these archives as the subject has been covered many times. Yes oils of any kind will help prevent rust. For a dark natural rusty looking surface, linseed oil works and is not greasy but would not be as good as oil and may not work on a plated surface.

Hi i just got some cuffs that are a tad rusty what would be the best way to clean them up and to stop them getting any worse? Could i use wd40 or would maybe somthing like a gun oil be better. Many thanks martin

WD-40 is great, it strips out all of the dirt and crud and any oil which is present.

Leaving the metal unprotected to rust even more!!!!

Use WD-40 then immediately use the oil of your choice to protect the metal, WD-40 does not protect.

Howy
Cincy

Hi i just got some cuffs that are a tad rusty what would be the best way to clean them up and to stop them getting any worse? Could i use wd40 or would maybe somthing like a gun oil be better. Many thanks martin

Thanks guys. What kind of oil is best ti use for them.

Hi i just got some cuffs that are a tad rusty what would be the best way to clean them up and to stop them getting any worse? Could i use wd40 or would maybe somthing like a gun oil be better. Many thanks martin

I've been using Addinol S-761, or W18. It's NATO grade weapons cleaning oil. It's about 10 bucks for a litre, or $5 for a small spray can.

WD-40 is really good for de-rusting, but it doesn't really protect at all.

Electrolysis works well for heavily rusted stuff. All you need is some $15 battery charger, some metal and a bucket of water.

Worked great on my Oregon Boot:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/261154/t ... cleaned+up


We also had this discussion about about de-rusting a year ago. Also check here:

http://www.network54.com/Forum/261154/t ... +de-rusted

Hi i just got some cuffs that are a tad rusty what would be the best way to clean them up and to stop them getting any worse? Could i use wd40 or would maybe somthing like a gun oil be better. Many thanks martin

Ok thankyou i have some gun oil so i think ill give that a blast and see what happems

Hi i just got some cuffs that are a tad rusty what would be the best way to clean them up and to stop them getting any worse? Could i use wd40 or would maybe somthing like a gun oil be better. Many thanks martin

Nils, can you explain the Electrolysis like a how to with the items you mentioned?

Hi i just got some cuffs that are a tad rusty what would be the best way to clean them up and to stop them getting any worse? Could i use wd40 or would maybe somthing like a gun oil be better. Many thanks martin

Soak them over night in Marvel Mirical Oil. Blow them out with an air compressor. Gently polish them clean with a cotton rag. Marvel is a solvent/detergent as well as an excellen penatraete. If you don't own a compressor, you can wash them with soap and water, after soaking them in marvel, and spray them with wd40 to displace the water. The best way I've found to gently polish, handcuffs, keys and what ever is to put them into a shaker with a walnut shell shaker media. You can leave it in there for hours and won't damage the finish. You'll have to take some measures to keep the media out of the key hole. So far no problems with a jammed lock from walnut shell debris. Good luck, I hope this helps.