Grungy DSC Hamata

[QVINTVS ARTORIVS CORVINVS]

Does anyone know how to get that godawful black grunge off of a DSC hamata?
I figured that it would eventually just stop being so dirty after it polluted 3-4 tunics and subarmalii, but I swear it is actually growing in strength :lol:

Honestly, what the heck did they use to coat it with, graphite :?:
...and more importantly how in the name of Zeus' butthole do I remove this mystery substance to lightly recoat with a more forgiving WD-40?

Thanks in advance,

[M. Demetrius]

If it's an oily substance, buy a couple of cans of carburetor cleaner, hang the hamata on a horizontal broomstick (through the arm holes) and spray it, working in the solution with a stiff brush, like a scrub brush, for example. Make sure whatever is underneath is not anything you don't want icked up with black junk. Start at the top and work down. Then turn inside out and repeat. Eye protection is a good idea, as the fluid is very thin, and might splatter around. Wouldn't want it in your eyes, would you?

This chemical evaporates pretty quickly, and doesn't leave much behind. I think lacquer thinner would work, too, but usually isn't available in spray form. Both are extremely flammable though. Smoking lamp is out.

After that, you can make the determination if it's ready for the WD-40. Carburetor cleaner is easy to find...and there are several similar products made for similar purposes. Engine Brite is one. Any automotive degreaser ought to do the job.

[QVINTVS ARTORIVS CORVINVS]

Sounds like an easy-enough solution.
What precautions would you take to protect the leather edging?
Wondering if the chemicals in the degreaser might also attack the leather?

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

I just used WD-40, and scrubbed it in, on the ground, but hanging it and
flushing it afterwards with WD , then drying it of with an absorbant cloth(old towels for example) Not 100% removal, but it has improved a good bit. I think a few more treatments will do wonders, plus it protects all in one go!!

The leather edging seems to have survived!

[jkaler48]

I am going to try to get a Tinned hamata made to avoid the grungy problem. It may rust a bit later on as the tinning wears
in places but I think it may be worth the extra expense. I don't know if anyone has done a tinned one yet but it shouldn't be hard
to get one of the new makers to give it a try at a reasonable cost.

[QVINTVS ARTORIVS CORVINVS]

I think I'll try the carb cleaner as the stuff on this looks not too far off from the carbon inside of a combustion chamber :wink:

Have to wait until after the Passion Play this Sunday and following Friday though...

[rusty myers]

I took mine out, laid it in the drive way, and hosed it off totally with just water. I then placed it in the oven at 175 to dry it thoroughly, and then coated it with wd-40. Came out very clean with not too much effort. Have to watch the leather though, you can cook it if the oven gets too hot.

I have some the "Evapo-Rust stuff to try after Easter. www.Evaporust.com I think. A non toxic rust remover, but I have not tested it yet.

[kevair464]

Ahh the evapo-rust everyone was talkin about at Lafe, let me know how that works, i need to clean up my hamata too, a little grungy from Lafe

[Matt Lukes]

I just used regular liquid laundry detergent and let it dry hanging in the sun and it worked just fine. Of course being steel, you'll get black residue back from the rings rubbing together, so it'll never go away and isn't all due to the oil or whatever might be on it.

[QVINTVS ARTORIVS CORVINVS]

Sun? Sun?
I seem to remember that word :?

I hear we may experience some of that phenomenon in the months to come...
Probably better chances with the carburator cleaner

And yes I used to live in Vancouver, so I know the rainy season... but here is longer fall, spring and winter, with an all too short summer

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Yeah right, the sun ....... FOG!!!! FOG I say!!!!

Thats the answer! goddman fog.... :x x

[M. Demetrius]

WARNING! POTENTIALLY JUDGMENTAL STATEMENT FOLLOWS!

Fog won't help remove the oxidation from hamata. There. I said it. hock:

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Probably right....it definately isn't helping remove me from this rig either.... :evil: :evil:
Sorry, OT possibly!

[QVINTVS ARTORIVS CORVINVS]

Well, Saint John, New Brunswick is a coastal city on the Bay of Fundy (Atlantic) so we are reknowned for our fog as well. Damp chill gets into your bones, and the winter is definitely colder and probably longer than Britain as well.

Missing the West Coast

[M. Demetrius]

Missing the West Coast

Beware...Alaska has a West Coast...and their winters might be even longer than New Brunswick. Nome, Point Barrow, etc.

Imagine wearing hamata up there in January...grungy or not. I wonder how steel/iron weapons would be useful in Arctic winter temperatures. It's hard to hold onto metal that's as cold as I remember Fairbanks winters in the late 1950s AD.

Rusty et al., do let us know how the rust remover stuff works. Naval Jelly does all right, but the cleanup is sort of icky.