- Joined
- May 1, 2004
- Messages
- 179
Lots of good info above. Yes, modern blades and their mechanisms are more corrosion resistant in general. But in a modern folder with all the crevices and such in say an Axis lock folder there are a LOT more places for gunk and water to hide than in the basic slipjoints of the past. Pocket carry will cause a pretty good accumulation of gunk and grit in a folder over time. If I want to clean something with many such nooks and crannies without a total disassembly it is a simple process, but it does require doing it right. Now I don't do this every day or every week with any of my stuff, but when a piece gets a real accumulation of junk to the point you can feel it affect it's operation and you want to clean it out, this is a good way to go about getting back to that fresh feel!
Basically, you need to get the old gunk, dirt, oil and skin out of all those spaces and leave it clean and protected. I will soak something like a folder, or even a field stripped 1911, in some hot water with a good bit of Dawn soap in it for a good while. This softens the gunk. Lately with the 1911s I will remove the grips and throw the rest in a bowl of kerosene overnight.
After the soaking to soften, you need to actually physically remove said gunk. Toothbrushes, Qtips, pipe cleaners, etc. Whatever it takes. I'll take those tools and some paper towels and give everything a good scrubbing. Next step in the removal phase is a good flush. The easy way is to take the freshly scrubbed parts and run a good bit of hot water from the kitchen sink tap through them. I do usually rinse with some 90% IPA (or the naptha mentioned above, if handy, is a good choice) right after the hot water flush to help get rid of the water. The parts are still warm to help with evaporation of any moisture and the alcohol almost guarantees all water is gone. After this I will sometimes use a hair dryer for a minute or two on complex parts with lots of nook and crannies or subassemblies inside.
Now relube appropriate to whatever you are working with, with my folders it's almost nothing, a tiny drop of oil here or there. Reassemble. Enjoy.
Basically, you need to get the old gunk, dirt, oil and skin out of all those spaces and leave it clean and protected. I will soak something like a folder, or even a field stripped 1911, in some hot water with a good bit of Dawn soap in it for a good while. This softens the gunk. Lately with the 1911s I will remove the grips and throw the rest in a bowl of kerosene overnight.
After the soaking to soften, you need to actually physically remove said gunk. Toothbrushes, Qtips, pipe cleaners, etc. Whatever it takes. I'll take those tools and some paper towels and give everything a good scrubbing. Next step in the removal phase is a good flush. The easy way is to take the freshly scrubbed parts and run a good bit of hot water from the kitchen sink tap through them. I do usually rinse with some 90% IPA (or the naptha mentioned above, if handy, is a good choice) right after the hot water flush to help get rid of the water. The parts are still warm to help with evaporation of any moisture and the alcohol almost guarantees all water is gone. After this I will sometimes use a hair dryer for a minute or two on complex parts with lots of nook and crannies or subassemblies inside.
Now relube appropriate to whatever you are working with, with my folders it's almost nothing, a tiny drop of oil here or there. Reassemble. Enjoy.
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