[928uk] OT - soap as a releasing fluid

[Paul R Smith]

Soap seems to meet the criteria, without having to go and buy it.

And on the subject of soap......

I have several pairs of stainless steel scissors in the kitchen cutlery 
drawer, and over time, they become stiff and get thrown to the back of 
the drawer. The other day I found that they were all stiff. They often 
get put through the dishwasher, but all show signs of rust residue 
around the pivot. So, I was working one of them back and forth to try to 
free up the pivot, but it wasn't getting easier. I looked for the 
nearest lubricant, and chose the hand washing liquid soap. A dab of this 
around the pivot, and worked the joint, and very quickly the joint freed 
up and the rust started to work out of the joint.

So, two questions: 1) Why is there rust in the joint between two pieces 
of stainless steel and a pin which doesn't rust on the outside? 2) Does 
this hand-soap have some mystical rust removing properties?

I'll have to give it a go on some old stiff pliers.

Smiffy

On 04/06/2024 03:51, Jon Holdsworth via 928uk wrote:
> I wouldn't use red rubber grease. Yes it won't harm the rubber - good. But all else being equal will remain as a lubricant nearly indefinitely. The bushes aren't supposed to be lubricated as they act as a secondary spring.
>
> Use KY jelly - completely rubber safe and will remain lubricating for long enough to do the install and will then dry out. If it gets wet it will just get washed out.
>
> If you are easily embarrassed don't go into the chemist with your mechanicing friend to buy a large tube to facilitate reinstallation of the TT tube bearings. BTDT.
>
> Jon