What can I use to remove burned on ash gum from blades.

Ox · October 11, 2015, 10:35:45 AM

Be careful using diesel in anything that's galvanized that you care about. Diesel will rust galvanized metal in pretty short order. Some boat owners found this out the hard way when they repowered to diesel engines and put diesel in the original galvanized gasoline tank and had big problems.

Kbeitz · October 11, 2015, 05:13:01 PM

Thats just got to be wrong....
First thing galvanized dose not rust.... Maybe the metal under it would if it could get water and air.
Next thing diesel is an anti oxidizer. That stops things from rusting....

Go to Amazon and type in the search for

Justrite 7125200 Type I Galvanized Steel Diesel Fuel Safety Can, 2.5 Gallon Capacity, Yellow

galvanized metal can made for diesel .

BCsaw · October 11, 2015, 11:41:22 PM

He is right. Do a google search. Diesel can dissolve the zinc coating.

Murder on fuel systems!

Kbeitz · October 12, 2015, 07:34:58 AM

Quote from: BCsaw on October 11, 2015, 11:41:22 PM
He is right. Do a google search. Diesel can dissolve the zinc coating.

Murder on fuel systems!

That I could beleve...dissolve yes... Rust no...

kelLOGg · October 12, 2015, 08:10:06 AM

Funny what you learn on the FF. Never thought it would lead me back to my chemistry (retired) career. The zinc/diesel discussion piqued my interest because the hydrocarbon mix in diesel should have no reaction with zinc. And they don't - its the sulfur impurities in the diesel that does the damage to zinc. So, Ox and BC are right. My internet search led to multiple sources that warned against using galvanized tanks for diesel. This forum rocks!
Bob

Magicman · October 12, 2015, 08:57:30 AM

I totally agree Bob. We learn stuff that we did not know that we needed to know. ;D

Ox · October 12, 2015, 09:17:58 AM

Some day try putting a zinc coated bolt in some diesel. It will rust! It may not make sense, but there it is. ???

Addition: I've never set a zinc coated bolt in a jar of diesel and let it sit submerged. I used a few bolts in my fuel jugs to plug the vent hole I drilled in them. I know when diesel gets on them and then are exposed to air it's bad. Rust. Zinc plated bolts are the regular "silver" colored bolts you can buy at any hardware store.

BCsaw · October 12, 2015, 09:21:08 AM

My guess would be, Ox is referring to the dissolving of the zinc coating, then if moisture is present.....rust will take hold. I have seen many steel diesel tanks that never had the water purged from the tank. Water is heavier than diesel and rust will form in the bottom where the diesel never reaches.

kelLOGg · October 12, 2015, 12:12:56 PM

I should have added that my tubs of diesel for cleaning bands have not shown any signs of deterioration after ~2 years. Forewarned, I will keep an eye on them.
Bob

Kbeitz · October 12, 2015, 12:28:34 PM

I still think rust is the wrong word.

Rust is an iron oxide, usually red oxide formed by the redox reaction of iron and oxygen in the presence of water or air moisture.

I dont think zinc has any iron in it...

deadfall · October 12, 2015, 01:45:15 PM

I think the issue is that the diesel gets through and under the zinc and to the iron. I have been informed that one should not use any galvanized fittings in hydraulic systems, probably for similar issues. When I lived on that diesel submarine, it became pretty clear that diesel will get past the treads of many fittings and coat surfaces like it's alive. There were fuel lines in most all of the compartments and diesel film was everywhere. That's why we bubbleheads always smelled so good. Diesel must be magic molecules. They are escape artists.

Chuck White · October 12, 2015, 06:28:17 PM

Quote from: Magicman on October 12, 2015, 08:57:30 AM
I totally agree Bob. We learn stuff that we did not know that we needed to know. ;D

And, sometimes we learn things without even realizing it, then one day the light comes on!

;D

21incher · October 12, 2015, 06:39:22 PM

Seems like I learn something new every day on the Forestry Forum.

Kingmt · October 13, 2015, 09:49:10 PM

You might try hydrochloric acid. That stuff ls pretty safe of most surfaces as long is you coat it well to allow a slow oxidation.

As far as kerosene smell. For the kerosene I know will be getting thrown on me from my machines I put lime stone powder in the bottom. It will get a sweet smell to it.

woodmills1 · October 15, 2015, 07:27:21 PM

did no one try lestoil?

dustyhat · October 15, 2015, 08:28:05 PM

Im going to try it ( Woodmill1 ) next time im going to town for something im going to pick some up. always up for something new. been using Rustslick 50 50 for my grinder . got to noticing it melts the pitch almost instantly. but its to expensive to make a tub up just to soak blades in.

21incher · October 18, 2015, 12:44:55 PM

Well I tried the Simple Green purple and it worked pretty good. There was a little residue left that I had to wipe it down quickly with scotchbrite to get most of the gum off. That stuff had no odor so everyone is happy. Here is a video link of the process. https://youtu.be/nSEJdGAd4nc I have another blade soaking and will leave it for the full 24 hours this time to see if I can eliminate the tiny bit of residue that was left. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Kingmt · October 18, 2015, 04:30:32 PM

I cut some pine the other day & gasoline worked well to clean the blade up when I was done. Of course it does have a small tho.

gfadvm · October 18, 2015, 08:21:11 PM

Quote from: 21incher on October 18, 2015, 12:44:55 PM
Well I tried the Simple Green purple and it worked pretty good. There was a little residue left that I had to wipe it down quickly with scotchbrite to get most of the gum off. That stuff had no odor so everyone is happy. Here is a video link of the process. https://youtu.be/nSEJdGAd4nc I have another blade soaking and will leave it for the full 24 hours this time to see if I can eliminate the tiny bit of residue that was left. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Glad it worked for you. I got one of those brass high pressure tips on my garden hose that works well to rinse blades after soak. It has enough pressure that I can forego the Scotch Brite/brush.

21incher · October 19, 2015, 07:30:14 AM

gfafvm I will try the water rinse on the blade that I currently have soaking. I am also thinking about starting to add some of the simple green to my lube tank.