easy hacksaw blade paint removal

[kurt9678]

I found this out by accident.

I was working on a Bogota pick made out of a hacksaw blade. I filed it down a bit too much and made the tip a bit too sharp. I was sanding it down and the tip punctured my thumb and it started bleeding. I grabbed my instant hand sanitizer and squirted it on a paper towel and wrapped it around the wound. I continued working with the pick and the sanitizer seeped through the paper towel and I noticed paint on my other hand. I checked it out and the instant hand sanitizer had caused the paint to wipe away.

I tested this out on a different piece of hacksaw blade that I hadn't sanded down yet by taking a paper towel and squirted two shots of 62% Ethyl Alcohol instant hand sanitizer from the dollar store and like magic it washed the paint away effortlessly in 1 wipe. I hope this helps!

[femurat]

Many things are discovered by accident!

Cheers

[roadran422]

So did you cut yourself? Or was it just the paint? Anyways good job!

[android143401]

Its a solvent, methyl ethyl ketone or isopropyl alcohol should do the same thing.

[maintenanceguy]

most hand sanitizers are rubbing alcohol in a gel. My favorite all-purpose solvent is acetone. Available in small bottles as finger nail polish remover or gallons at the hardware store.

[Solomon]

Nice! I have some isopropanol lying around somewhere, dunno why I never thought to try that before. Sanding the paint off those things is a nightmare.

[GWiens2001]

I usually use a wire wheel. It is on one side of the grinder, so it is right there anyway.

Gordon

[android143401]

Acetone and MEK will actually etch and pit the steel, when used in small quantities it is helpful for preparing steel for paint; however, it is too harsh for just stripping paint, Isopropyl alcohol is better and wont damage the steel.

[Buggs41]

Pvc cleaner should also work well.

[Josh66]

Acetone and MEK will actually etch and pit the steel, when used in small quantities it is helpful for preparing steel for paint; however, it is too harsh for just stripping paint, Isopropyl alcohol is better and wont damage the steel.

I've never heard of acetone or MEK etching steel... We use it all the time at work with no issues (lately, most places are using MPK instead of MEK though, it's supposed to be safer or something - or sometimes a blend of MPK & acetone).

[spooky]

What about boring old paint stripper. I'm sure that soaking it for a few minutes and you could wipe the paint away with a rag. And lots less fumes than MEK or Acetone.

[emptech1]

A common paint remover you can get in local hardware and box stores is called "goof off." I can't
remember the active ingredient. You can get it in very small cans or in spray bottles for covering
large areas.

If you want something nasty, get ahold of some methylene chloride, the active ingredient in most
paint removers. Be careful, bad fumes, and if you get it on sensitive parts of your body, even your
arms, will burn, just wash off with water if that happens.

[zeepia]

Here is quite a many solutions! I guess the best method is what you have at your hand´s reach.
I use paint remover goo Nitromors, which I have always at my shop. Works fine for me.