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+-- Thread: Hard Arkansas stone cleaning (/showthread.php?tid=7329269)
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Hard Arkansas stone cleaning - johndi - 04-05-2017
I found a translucent hard Arkansas stone.
Seems to be in nice shape, but has what looks like oil sludge on the sides and ends.
Is it safe to wipe down with mineral spirits?
Thanks
RE: Hard Arkansas stone cleaning - Hank Knight - 04-05-2017
Yes. It's a rock. Mineral spirits won''t hurt it.
RE: Hard Arkansas stone cleaning - Rob Young - 04-05-2017
(04-05-2017, 04:29 PM)johndi Wrote: I found a translucent hard Arkansas stone.
Seems to be in nice shape, but has what looks like oil sludge on the sides and ends.
Is it safe to wipe down with mineral spirits?
Thanks
Last stone I cleaned, I put it in a tray, covered with lacquer-thinner and sealed up the tray. Then left it on the stoop for the afternoon. Did a pretty good job, other than the smell.
A brass bristle brush works wonders too.
RE: Hard Arkansas stone cleaning - johndi - 04-05-2017
Thanks
That's what I thought but wanted to check with the brain trust
RE: Hard Arkansas stone cleaning - DaveParkis - 04-05-2017
A collector told me that he cleans his oilstones by putting them in a zip lock bag with Lestoil. He said that was the best method he had found.
RE: Hard Arkansas stone cleaning - med-one - 04-05-2017
I believe his name is Bob Smalser or somfin like that.
RE: Hard Arkansas stone cleaning - Tony Z - 04-06-2017
Bob Smalser-top notch craftsman, wish he was still around the forums!
Oven cleaner also works for cleaning. After each, wiping down the stone is a great ounce of preventative cure-just a quick swipe with a paper towel dampened with whatever lubricant you use n the stone (for me, its "Marvel Mystery Oil").
RE: Hard Arkansas stone cleaning - AHill - 04-06-2017
(04-05-2017, 07:01 PM)Youngbuck Wrote: I kinda remember a guy, his first name was Bob and he was a boat builder. I believe he used kerosene on his oilstones. Maybe someone else remembers who I'm trying to think of. He had a website with all kinds of good info.
Yes, it was Bob Smalser, a talented boat builder and restorer. He was a frequent contributor here and also wrote articles for FWW. The kerosene was his lube - not necessarily used to clean the stones.
RE: Hard Arkansas stone cleaning - Bibliophile 13 - 04-08-2017
I've not had great success using mineral spirits on my Arkansas stones. Maybe they need a longer soak than I had been giving them.
I've found that WD-40 and sandpaper work pretty well to clean the surfaces. Natural stones are often dished, so rubbing them on sandpaper stuck to a flat surface will both clean and flatten them. Gets two jobs done at once.
RE: Hard Arkansas stone cleaning - bridger - 04-08-2017
Translucent arks are nice finishing stones, but they can tend to get glazed and shiny. Dressing them with a diamond plate will give you a fresh surface but I like them best with a surface that is broken in but not shiny.
As far as cleaning them goes, they don't absorb much, so you're largely dealing with surface crud. A good scrub with kitchen cleanser works wonders. I recommend barkeeper's friend brand cleanser.