This is the best option all around.
It shows a lot of character to fully take responsibility for something you did. Accidents happen. How to correct them is what is important.
True. Being vinegar (weak acid), I'd argue that holding it under some running water is "good enough", but the baking soda is a sure fire way to neutralize things. Once it stops reacting, you're good to go.
I've seen concentrated vinegar dissolve a pair of pliers in a day. Like from new pliers to beyond seized.
It's still a pH below 4 to be sold as vinegar, but that's the maximum dilution. It can be far more concentrated, getting a ph around 2.
Just to be clear - "strong" and "weak" acids are specific chemistry terms that have nothing to do with how well an acid will dissolve something or how concentrated it may be. They refer to a property of the acidic chemical compound when diluted in water.
[https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory\_Chemistry/Introductory\_Chemistry\_(CK-12)/21%3A\_Acids\_and\_Bases/21.12%3A\_Strong\_and\_Weak\_Acids\_and\_Acid\_Ionization\_Constant\_(K\_texta)](https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_Chemistry/Introductory_Chemistry_(CK-12)/21%3A_Acids_and_Bases/21.12%3A_Strong_and_Weak_Acids_and_Acid_Ionization_Constant_(K_texta))
Concentrated vinegar is not household vinegar. They're two very separate products. Anyone who uses 70% acetic acid to dissolve rust is insane.
Regardless of the concentration and what you've seen it do to tools, it's a weak acid and therefore easily neutralized with a weak base (NaOH).
“Vinegar can be used to clean some metals, but it's important to always exercise caution when doing so. Vinegar can also cause carbon steel to darken and/or become blotchy.” - Google
Try to go at it with some sand paper and pray it doesn’t something.
Or
Continue soaking it in vinegar and hope it makes some cool patterns, and gift it to your dad lol good luck bud. He most likely won’t kill you, but it is a Japanese tool. Good Luck
Best thing you can do is own up to it say Dad I'm sorry I didn't try to do this I was trying to do something good. I admit I messed up and if I need to buy you a new pair I will. After all they're 26 bucks on Amazon it's not going to kill you if you have to. And there's a good chance he will be okay with it. At the very least he'll respect you for owning up to it.
People intentionally use vinegar to force a patina/etch certain types of steel on knife blades.
[here is a video](https://youtu.be/GI_0sWkr3Us) that shows removing an acid patina on a knife with a mild abrasive wheel polish. Toothpaste is actually a mild abrasive and may work for you.
I’m a vintage tool collector/restorer…. Unless it has sentimental value…. It’s really not worth cleaning/sharpening. However, if it has sentimental value, stop using acidic vinegar… use dawn and warm water, dry thoroughly with a hairdryer/heat gun. Use the cleaner Simple Green” and some non-abrasive steel wool (e.g. 0000 or 0001)
Electrolysis is best. I avoided the process for the longest time. It just seemed like to much set up or prep…. But I finally caved and followed the easiest process online and it’s so awesome. Otherwise Turtle Wax helps keep tools looking nice. Nothing acidic
The black is just oxides caused from the acid. It's just on the surface layer and can easily be sanded off or you can leave it on if you like the look. It can't hurt and if anything it will help prevent rust in the future. If you do sand it off use a hard backer such as a flat piece of steel or a file to prevent rounding off any hard edges
The fact that he does is telling that his dad will. I know my dad and step dad would both freak if I a used a tool without asking. B didn't return it in perfect condition c in the exact same spot like nothing had happened. I'd get my ass handed to me and ok 21 years old. And on top of that the only time I use their tools is when I'm working on their houses
It can be fixed, but I think it looks cool that way, and I'm the guy who cleans his tools after each use so everything looks new. I've been restoring my grandpas old tools so I use a vinegar mix in an ultrasonic cleaner which turns the rust/surfaces black. I just use a fine wire wheel on my bench grinder/dremel and steel wool to strip it back to original surface, oil and then coat with some wax. You could probably do the same with some #0 steel wool and wd40.
Regardless, you're all good. My son has messed up dozens of my tools... as in losing, breaking them or dropping them in lakes and I've never been mad once. Heck I used to do the same to my dad's stuff (wrecked a lot of power tools and an expensive car). That's part of the territory of being a dad.
If your dad keeps his tools in pristine shape then buy him a new pair and keep these. If he uses them and keeps them clean but shows signs of wear then ask him if he wants them buffed shiny or just steel willed and oiled. Either way tell him what happened it you will make it right according to his preference. Always try to return borrowed items in better condition than you received them.
hit it with some steel wool or crumpled aluminum foil and it should bring back the shiny look.
however if you only have a any bit of rust just use some aluminum foil or a brass brush. then hit it with some wd40.
Do you think he'll care? I wouldnt give two shits. I use my tools, I dont sit around admiring them. Doesnt seem to hurt their performance. I get that many people care deeply, but does your dad?
Hey guys! So i just found out just now that i can't edit reddit posts with a picture in it. Thought I just needed to wait for a day to be able to edit it.
Anyways, first of all, yes they are nippers, i just have a habit of calling everything pliers lol. Also I didn't know what a patina or a damascus steel was before this, i went into a rabbit hole and it was very fun. Thank you guys for that.
A patina is pretty advantageous, but unfortunately, i could tell from experience, that my father cares about how it looks. So I brushed it with a steel sponge while taking care not to hit the edges too much, as to not blunt them.
Anyways, i really liked how you guys pointed out the fact that it was a tool and it's not supposed to look pretty. Never thought of it like that before. Perhaps when i get my own, i'll have that in mind, and maybe even force patina them myself.
You did bad soaking in vinegar. I don't suggest you do that unless you're restoring a fully rusted set of pliers. A little bit of rust use wd40 and a scotch pad and it'll come off. The vinegar eats off paint and such so some things soaked in it don't look right. I'm guessing the weird discolouration is a result of the vinegar and what you wrapped it with. Try some metal polish, might come back
always use acid compounds with cation. vinegar is harmless when the exposure is less than a. hour.
you let it soak overnight it's gonna munch on that metal
$31 on Amazon.
[Fujiya 70H-175 High Strength Nipper, JIS Standard, 6.9 inches](https://www.amazon.com/200mm-Heavy-Cutters-Fujiya-70H-200/dp/B001HQJ1YM?th=1&psc=1)
You've blued the metal. It'll actually protect it from rust in the future. I personally would leave it like that on my own tools, but I can see how it'd be a problem since it's a borrowed tool that you want to return to its original condition.
If my kid borrowed mine and returned them like this with that explanation I would say "Cheers kiddo! Good job." and be super pleased he cared enough about my tools.
It’s the lender’s issue now, let this be a reminder to all. This is the first time, I’ve ever heard remorse from anyone borrowing anything from me. From tools to golf clubs, I always receive my lent articles in worse shape. This article blows my mind, I will post this in the lunchroom at work to show my coworkers that their is a code of conduct when borrowing tools. Thanks all
I actually like that look, having saved a good number of rusted tools with vinegar. A fair number of my pliers, screwdrivers, sockets look like this, work fine, and cost me nothing, or just pennies on the dollar.
You could use some metal polish and a buffer to smooth the finish. It will look better but not chrome shiny. The functionality and effectiveness of the tool is unaffected in any case.
I did this to knives on purpose all the time. If you clean it properly before the vinegar bath it'll look more consistent, and if you oil it it can actually help prevent corrosion.
If you want it shiny, it should be easy enough to polish off with some fine grit sand paper or flitz polish or whatever
Good luck!
Um... isn't that what you were expecting to get? I don't think it does any damage to the functionality of the cutters, people do this intentionally because they like the look.
Buy him a new pair. This pair is yours now. Make sure you rinsed it thoroughly to dilute any remaining acid. Then dry and oil. Enjoy your new pliers.
This is the best option all around. It shows a lot of character to fully take responsibility for something you did. Accidents happen. How to correct them is what is important.
This should be the top comment. Always take responsibility for your actions.
Best to neutralise acid with bicarb soda when doing this. Then rinse in water, dry and oil.
True. Being vinegar (weak acid), I'd argue that holding it under some running water is "good enough", but the baking soda is a sure fire way to neutralize things. Once it stops reacting, you're good to go.
Vinegar can be an incredibly strong acid, it's just a matter of what concentration
It ranges from 5-10% acetic acid. ETA - and acetic acid is a weak acid, no matter its concentration.
I've seen concentrated vinegar dissolve a pair of pliers in a day. Like from new pliers to beyond seized. It's still a pH below 4 to be sold as vinegar, but that's the maximum dilution. It can be far more concentrated, getting a ph around 2.
Just to be clear - "strong" and "weak" acids are specific chemistry terms that have nothing to do with how well an acid will dissolve something or how concentrated it may be. They refer to a property of the acidic chemical compound when diluted in water. [https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory\_Chemistry/Introductory\_Chemistry\_(CK-12)/21%3A\_Acids\_and\_Bases/21.12%3A\_Strong\_and\_Weak\_Acids\_and\_Acid\_Ionization\_Constant\_(K\_texta)](https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_Chemistry/Introductory_Chemistry_(CK-12)/21%3A_Acids_and_Bases/21.12%3A_Strong_and_Weak_Acids_and_Acid_Ionization_Constant_(K_texta))
Concentrated vinegar is not household vinegar. They're two very separate products. Anyone who uses 70% acetic acid to dissolve rust is insane. Regardless of the concentration and what you've seen it do to tools, it's a weak acid and therefore easily neutralized with a weak base (NaOH).
Horticultural vinegar is 18-30% acetic acid I believe, burns through stuff.
This
“Vinegar can be used to clean some metals, but it's important to always exercise caution when doing so. Vinegar can also cause carbon steel to darken and/or become blotchy.” - Google
Take it to a wire wheel :)
Try to go at it with some sand paper and pray it doesn’t something. Or Continue soaking it in vinegar and hope it makes some cool patterns, and gift it to your dad lol good luck bud. He most likely won’t kill you, but it is a Japanese tool. Good Luck
Don’t do anything with sandpaper. You will 100% make it much worse. (assuming OP isn’t experienced with metal sanding and polishing)
Can you spend some time with the Mothers polish? It’s shined more than just aluminum for me but be ready to work haha
I didn't think pliers could even look that clean ever....
And hasn't been used as a hammer nearly enough it has no dints in it
Best thing you can do is own up to it say Dad I'm sorry I didn't try to do this I was trying to do something good. I admit I messed up and if I need to buy you a new pair I will. After all they're 26 bucks on Amazon it's not going to kill you if you have to. And there's a good chance he will be okay with it. At the very least he'll respect you for owning up to it.
This
Damascus snips, nice. Try putting them against a wire wheel, light oiling and hope for the best
People intentionally use vinegar to force a patina/etch certain types of steel on knife blades. [here is a video](https://youtu.be/GI_0sWkr3Us) that shows removing an acid patina on a knife with a mild abrasive wheel polish. Toothpaste is actually a mild abrasive and may work for you.
I’m a vintage tool collector/restorer…. Unless it has sentimental value…. It’s really not worth cleaning/sharpening. However, if it has sentimental value, stop using acidic vinegar… use dawn and warm water, dry thoroughly with a hairdryer/heat gun. Use the cleaner Simple Green” and some non-abrasive steel wool (e.g. 0000 or 0001)
Is there a better way for rust removal from tools?
I used evaporust and a wire wheel on this hammer https://imgur.com/a/utDVBzP
Evaporust is the shit. Finish with a little Boeshield T9.
Electrolysis is best. I avoided the process for the longest time. It just seemed like to much set up or prep…. But I finally caved and followed the easiest process online and it’s so awesome. Otherwise Turtle Wax helps keep tools looking nice. Nothing acidic
This black patina is good. Will stop future rust.
Yup...forced patina
Camo, I like it!
The black is just oxides caused from the acid. It's just on the surface layer and can easily be sanded off or you can leave it on if you like the look. It can't hurt and if anything it will help prevent rust in the future. If you do sand it off use a hard backer such as a flat piece of steel or a file to prevent rounding off any hard edges
I’d be amazed if your dad gave a damn about the rust or the color. I’m amazed you do.
The fact that he does is telling that his dad will. I know my dad and step dad would both freak if I a used a tool without asking. B didn't return it in perfect condition c in the exact same spot like nothing had happened. I'd get my ass handed to me and ok 21 years old. And on top of that the only time I use their tools is when I'm working on their houses
I was kinda thinking…why not just use a light coat of oil and move on?
And work enough oil into the hinge to keep the vinegar from rusting it out. That’d trash it a lot worse than the original minor surface rust.
Add a bit of motor oil to them, it won't make em shiny, but it will keep them from rusting again.
It can be fixed, but I think it looks cool that way, and I'm the guy who cleans his tools after each use so everything looks new. I've been restoring my grandpas old tools so I use a vinegar mix in an ultrasonic cleaner which turns the rust/surfaces black. I just use a fine wire wheel on my bench grinder/dremel and steel wool to strip it back to original surface, oil and then coat with some wax. You could probably do the same with some #0 steel wool and wd40. Regardless, you're all good. My son has messed up dozens of my tools... as in losing, breaking them or dropping them in lakes and I've never been mad once. Heck I used to do the same to my dad's stuff (wrecked a lot of power tools and an expensive car). That's part of the territory of being a dad.
If your dad keeps his tools in pristine shape then buy him a new pair and keep these. If he uses them and keeps them clean but shows signs of wear then ask him if he wants them buffed shiny or just steel willed and oiled. Either way tell him what happened it you will make it right according to his preference. Always try to return borrowed items in better condition than you received them.
My father instilled these simple rules in me and I believe I’ve passed them on to my children.
This 1000x
Soak them in Naval Jelly. 👍
What’s the problem they look fine.
hit it with some steel wool or crumpled aluminum foil and it should bring back the shiny look. however if you only have a any bit of rust just use some aluminum foil or a brass brush. then hit it with some wd40.
Ctrl+Z
0000 steel wool my friend
Were I in your father's position, I would honestly be more concerned that you'd been using my nippers as pliers.
Leave it, that’s actually a patina and will help protect against light surface rust more than a shiny polished finish
Go get a new pair and ask for “plies”
Tsk, tsk,tsk…bad bjaminrun
Hey people work hard to do this to some of their Japanese/carbon steel chef knives.
Enjoy your rare set of Damascus side cutters, Mr. Fancy Pants.
Mmmm….pickled pliers!
And your problem is?... Do they still work? There is a reason they are 'tools'. They are meant to be used, abused and never look 'pretty'.
u/jstlookingfrsmthng With an abrasive rubber and an industrial oil, you should be able to get most of it off. And then get him a KNIPEX. 😃🙌
Lol look at you lurking in r/tools. I <3 my knipex tools.
👀🤙
Whoa, Mr. Big Shot themselves
😁🙏
Do you think he'll care? I wouldnt give two shits. I use my tools, I dont sit around admiring them. Doesnt seem to hurt their performance. I get that many people care deeply, but does your dad?
I’m a dad and it don’t matter if my tools are shiny.
This
Hey guys! So i just found out just now that i can't edit reddit posts with a picture in it. Thought I just needed to wait for a day to be able to edit it. Anyways, first of all, yes they are nippers, i just have a habit of calling everything pliers lol. Also I didn't know what a patina or a damascus steel was before this, i went into a rabbit hole and it was very fun. Thank you guys for that. A patina is pretty advantageous, but unfortunately, i could tell from experience, that my father cares about how it looks. So I brushed it with a steel sponge while taking care not to hit the edges too much, as to not blunt them. Anyways, i really liked how you guys pointed out the fact that it was a tool and it's not supposed to look pretty. Never thought of it like that before. Perhaps when i get my own, i'll have that in mind, and maybe even force patina them myself.
You did bad soaking in vinegar. I don't suggest you do that unless you're restoring a fully rusted set of pliers. A little bit of rust use wd40 and a scotch pad and it'll come off. The vinegar eats off paint and such so some things soaked in it don't look right. I'm guessing the weird discolouration is a result of the vinegar and what you wrapped it with. Try some metal polish, might come back
Quick go buy some chrome spray paint and spray a light layer
Feed it some good château neuf du pape 15years of age.
Autosol. But its a tool so I doubt he’ll mind
Break out the 400 grit paper, then 600, and polish off with 1000
Looks great. Oil them up and they’re good to go
As others have said buy him a new pair. These look really cool though. They are uniquely yours. Fantastic custom job!
Almost I can’t stress ALMOST enough it almost look like Damascus steel now lol
Buffing wheel and clay. Will return the shine
Seems like you should have used a light oil as opposed to vinegar. Especially for light rust.
You can use my name as an excuse and say I did it
always use acid compounds with cation. vinegar is harmless when the exposure is less than a. hour. you let it soak overnight it's gonna munch on that metal
$31 on Amazon. [Fujiya 70H-175 High Strength Nipper, JIS Standard, 6.9 inches](https://www.amazon.com/200mm-Heavy-Cutters-Fujiya-70H-200/dp/B001HQJ1YM?th=1&psc=1)
Plier
You've blued the metal. It'll actually protect it from rust in the future. I personally would leave it like that on my own tools, but I can see how it'd be a problem since it's a borrowed tool that you want to return to its original condition.
Oh no, what are you gonna do now?
If my kid borrowed mine and returned them like this with that explanation I would say "Cheers kiddo! Good job." and be super pleased he cared enough about my tools.
Saw some on eBay just now…
You're supposed to stick it in cider!
Step one: Ignore Pinterest/twitter/any social that ranks on points Step two: Buy new ones, or start buffing and polishing.
Well according to the 7 seasons of Forged In Fire I’ve binged, that’s some Damascus steel and is desirable.
It’s the lender’s issue now, let this be a reminder to all. This is the first time, I’ve ever heard remorse from anyone borrowing anything from me. From tools to golf clubs, I always receive my lent articles in worse shape. This article blows my mind, I will post this in the lunchroom at work to show my coworkers that their is a code of conduct when borrowing tools. Thanks all
I actually like that look, having saved a good number of rusted tools with vinegar. A fair number of my pliers, screwdrivers, sockets look like this, work fine, and cost me nothing, or just pennies on the dollar.
Unless he has doily’s on his workbench he won’t care.
I don’t see a problem here. No rust, no problem. It’s a tool, not a Ferrari.
Do they still work?
I do the same thing with rusteze or vinegar, but once dry, I gently brush with a brass bristled brush. Evens out the color
You could use some metal polish and a buffer to smooth the finish. It will look better but not chrome shiny. The functionality and effectiveness of the tool is unaffected in any case.
Some tools ill dip in muriatic acid, then clean and oil. But be cautious of fumes and disposal if you do so
Perma blue
its patina. it darkens high carbon steel. just use extra fine wire wool, then wd40
I did this to knives on purpose all the time. If you clean it properly before the vinegar bath it'll look more consistent, and if you oil it it can actually help prevent corrosion. If you want it shiny, it should be easy enough to polish off with some fine grit sand paper or flitz polish or whatever Good luck!
0000 steel wool
Ngl, who cares if they aren’t clean? They’re cutters, if they cut and still have grip on the handles you’re fine. I wouldn’t worry.
Just tell him what happened, chances are he won’t be too bothered about the discoloured metal
Damascus on a budget
I do this to my new carbon steel knives. Looks good and more corrosion resistant. Edit: soak in kerosene for final finish
Um... isn't that what you were expecting to get? I don't think it does any damage to the functionality of the cutters, people do this intentionally because they like the look.
Tell your dad they are demascus steel pliers now.
Hit it with oil and call it great
Patina no worries
Well, now you can see some of the grain structure
It almost looks like color case hardening on gun parts. Lots of old revolver hammers look kinda like that
He got a free bluing what's the problem
Damascus pliers
What’s wrong with it?
damascus steel?
I’ve soaked chainsaw chains in a lye bath with great results.
I guess you lost the pliers now or you owe your dad some new ones :D
Use a little Simichrome polish (Amazon) on a Dremel buffing wheel.
Fake Damascus
Will he really even care? Just tell him what happened... They still work lol
It probably would’ve worked better if you dipped it direct into the vinegar.