Bending iron stains.

mikeyb2 · Dec 30, 2015

Hi everyone, just bent some rosewood binding and unsurprisingly the bending iron is now stained. I want to bend some cherry next so is it necessary to clean the staining off, so as not to get onto the cherry?
If so, what is the best way of cleaning it. I read somewhere that the only way is to sand it off. I shouldn't think and iron would last very long if sanded every time. Thanks, Mike.

saltytri · Dec 30, 2015

I use 0000 steel wool. It will take a very long time to wear your bending iron away!

Moore Bettah Ukuleles · Dec 30, 2015

I might try Easy Off oven cleaner. Just a guess.

PhilUSAFRet · Dec 30, 2015

or perhaps a light scratch/haze remover

saltytri · Dec 30, 2015

Moore Bettah Ukuleles said:
I might try Easy Off oven cleaner. Just a guess.

Drain cleaner is another household product with the same ingredient (lye).

mikeyb2 · Dec 30, 2015

I think Easy off is probably not available here in the UK but I do have some other oven cleaner I can try. And judging your replies, I gather it does need to be cleaned before using it on anything other than rosewood. Thanks for the ideas. Mike

ksquine · Dec 30, 2015

Stains from wood resins usually just wipe off my pipe. Get it warm and spray plenty of water on it.....just like soaking a dirty pan. 0000 Steel wool is good for the stubborn spots. I don't use sand paper because I think the scratches will make it harder to clean in the future.

little timber · Dec 30, 2015

I second that, heat up the pipe, spray it with water and wipe it off... takes off most of whats there for me. I figure if it doesn't come off when I do that, it wont come off on the next side I bend.

BR Ukuleles · Dec 30, 2015

Never cleaned my bending iron other than a wipe with a damp cloth when it was hot. Hasn't been a problem and I've bent hundreds of sets.

Pete Howlett · Dec 30, 2015

After bending oily/resinous woods I sand it. Meths also works

Moore Bettah Ukuleles · Dec 30, 2015

Many hand benders do so between to sheets of metal of some sort. That should keep your iron clean.

chuck in ny · Dec 31, 2015

wood resins accumulate on circular saw blades and other woodworking tools. people clean saw blades with oven cleaner and dedicated saw blade cleaners.
the first place you start cleaning is warm water and dish soap, that failing paint thinner, that failing lacquer thinner. paint stripper should also work as should any of the orange citrus based cleaners.
abrasion is the last resort but it's only wood resin and there is some other way.

mikeyb2 · Dec 31, 2015

Thanks for the tips everyone, I've got a few things to go at and fingers crossed.

mikeyb2 · Dec 31, 2015

Found some Astonish oven/pan cleaner paste in the back of the cupboard. It's a little bit abrasive but it does seem to lift it without a lot of effort. Problem solved I think. Thanks again everyone.

Red Cliff · Jan 3, 2016

I just use some acetone, takes it straight off.

Hluth · Jan 4, 2016

I use paper between the wood and the bender. This keeps the iron clean and prevents water stains in light color wood.

Bending iron stains.

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