Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Hey guys, quick question.
Is there a way to get caked-in GS out of my files?
The files themselves are fine and while I have since bought a new set I would hate to throw out what could potentially still be a good set provided they are actually still salvageable.
I've tried soap, hot water and a hard toothbrush. I look to you now for more extreme measures... I'm not beyond getting chemical here

Peace

Go to a shop like Airgas or someplace like Home Depot or the like and ask for a toothbrush wire brush .... works wonders on it.

Edit: Any place that sells welding supplies. Just saw you were in Aussie Country.

 OIIIIIIO wrote:
Go to a shop like Airgas or someplace like Home Depot or the like and ask for a toothbrush wire brush .... works wonders on it.

Edit: Any place that sells welding supplies. Just saw you were in Aussie Country.

Don't worry, we have an Aussie version of almost everything American. Your Home Depot is our Bunnings.
Also, did you know Burger King is called Hungry Jacks over here because when McDonalds first established themselves they trademarked the name 'Burger King' to delay their inevitable arrival.
and so, Hungry Jacks was born.

Thanks for that, I'll give the wire brush a shot. Do I have to worry about it damaging my files at all though?

A brass wire brush is what I use to clean files - just stroke the file with the brush whilst following the grain of the teeth (so not against them) and you should be fine. It's also good to use on files when cleaning out plastic and metal as well to help prevent getting clogs that scratch.


Ps I've heard that diamond files are too hard an edge for plastics/resins - what's your experience with them?

 Overread wrote:
A brass wire brush is what I use to clean files - just stroke the file with the brush whilst following the grain of the teeth (so not against them) and you should be fine. It's also good to use on files when cleaning out plastic and metal as well to help prevent getting clogs that scratch.


Ps I've heard that diamond files are too hard an edge for plastics/resins - what's your experience with them?

Well they're a set of 5 jeweler files. They are quite coarse which is where they are useful for me in filing areas with excessive GS (the reason why they're so caked in).
They've also been hella useful when I've wanted to clear an area of details such as torsos or shoulder pads.
Once I've done what I wanted to with the files I'd generally smooth out the area with some fine sandpaper if it is still too rough.
The new set of files I recently purchased are not diamond but so far seem to work in a similar way. The only difference being that they cake with GS faster but are also easier to clean out.

Maybe you're right and I should be using something else but so far I've managed to use them to generally achieve the result I'm after

Peace

 Xendarc wrote:

 OIIIIIIO wrote:
Go to a shop like Airgas or someplace like Home Depot or the like and ask for a toothbrush wire brush .... works wonders on it.

Edit: Any place that sells welding supplies. Just saw you were in Aussie Country.

Don't worry, we have an Aussie version of almost everything American. Your Home Depot is our Bunnings.
Also, did you know Burger King is called Hungry Jacks over here because when McDonalds first established themselves they trademarked the name 'Burger King' to delay their inevitable arrival.
and so, Hungry Jacks was born.

You want what is called a "file card" - sometimes referred to as a file cleaning brush. It's a short bristled but broad stiff (fine wire) wire brush. It's designed for getting crap out of metal files (because they accumulate crap and then rust out ).