Author Topic: removing kerosene from handles? (Read 566 times)

jhalcott · « **on:** June 13, 2005, 08:46:44 AM »

those handles on the Lee molds I got seem to be soft from soaking in coal oil.How can I get the oil out of the wood? Or do I need to buy new handles from Lee? thanks.
I got these molds from a club member who left them in a bucket of coal oil(kerosene) for several months. They had a small amount of rust on the steel parts. I have them air drying outside now.Wife and I can NOT stand the diesel fuel like smell! All the blocks are loose now,but The handles are soft. :lol:

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #1 on:** June 13, 2005, 05:36:41 PM »

If the wood is soaked enough to be soft, it's beyond salvage. I've always made my own replacements. Lowe's and Home Depot have hardwood dowels and the plumbing department will have endcaps.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #2 on:** June 13, 2005, 08:01:39 PM »

Now, I'm SURE you want to explain to us just what possessed you to soak your handles in kerosene. :grin:

warf73 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 13, 2005, 09:49:35 PM »

Please do tell us why you soaked them?
Am I missing something?
Should I be soaking mine?

Warf

jcunclejoe · « **Reply #4 on:** June 14, 2005, 07:56:25 AM »

You might try TSP (trisodium phosphate) it comes in a powder and really sucks oil out of wood. It is commonly used on military stocks to get the oil out. It works great.
Joe

ShadowMover · « **Reply #5 on:** June 14, 2005, 12:37:19 PM »

Try packing the handles in cat litter (clay). Use the cheapest you can find. It's the same stuff they sell as oil absorbent at the auto parts store. Keep them buried in it for a few days.

It will pull oil out of a concrete floor too. Since the metal in the handles may rust I don't advise wetting the cat litter, but when pulling oil off of a concrete floor, spread a 1" layer covering the spot and mist it wet. The next day most of the oil will be in the cat litter. Scrape the thick stuff off first. Repeat if needed.