cleaning shears
 

Hi,

Does anyone have any recommendations for cleaning pruning shears? After
I cut back much of my boitritis ridden JFK, I dipped my pruners into
straight bleach, wiped off the excess moisture, and left them in the
open position in my garage. The next day my pruners were entirely
rusted. I don't mind the aesthetics, however I doubt this was very good
for my pruners. Maybe it was all in my mind, but I immediately felt as
if they were not as sharp once they rusted.

Should I water down the bleach? Store the pruners inside ( I think the
humidity level in my garage is pretty high--I once tried to store my
gardening gloves in a zip lock bag--the next day they were covered with
mold!).

Thanks for any tips!
Heidi

P.S. The JFK has bounced back and is just starting to produce new
healthy blooms. I first cut back the diseased growth and sprayed
Daconil on what little was left of my plant. The Daconil did not seem
to nip the boitritis in it's spotty bottom, so I then tried HALT. The
HALT did the trick and fast.

cleaning shears
 

On Wed, 06 Aug 2003 17:02:54 GMT, Heidi wrote:

Hi,

Does anyone have any recommendations for cleaning pruning shears?

I wipe with alcohol.


After
I cut back much of my boitritis ridden JFK, I dipped my pruners into
straight bleach, wiped off the excess moisture, and left them in the
open position in my garage. The next day my pruners were entirely
rusted.

Welcome to the club. I washed mine once and left them to dry in the
dish drainer. Here is what you do: take a soft cloth and apply
vegetable or olive oil, it took the rust right off of my Felcos.

[...

Should I water down the bleach? Store the pruners inside ( I think the
humidity level in my garage is pretty high--I once tried to store my
gardening gloves in a zip lock bag--the next day they were covered with
mold!).

Heidi, it you use bleach, wipe with it, then wipe dry.



Thanks for any tips!
Heidi

P.S. The JFK has bounced back and is just starting to produce new
healthy blooms. I first cut back the diseased growth and sprayed
Daconil on what little was left of my plant. The Daconil did not seem
to nip the boitritis in it's spotty bottom, so I then tried HALT. The
HALT did the trick and fast.

I wish I could believe JFK is worth all the effort. I have never heard
a single good thing abou this rose. But if you love it, then good for
you for babying it. To each our own!

cleaning shears
 

I saw a tip that made sense: after dipping tools into or wiping with a
diluted bleach solution or rubbing alcohol, spray the blade(s) with WD40.
After all, the name WD 40 (I think) comes from the fact that it was the
company's 40th formula for a "water displacement" product.

I know what you mean about storing stuff in the garage! Leather gloves are
goners in a hurry -- no longer do I even bother with the goatskin gloves I
used to prefer. We even have to keep sandpaper inside; otherwise, we end up
with sand and paper with no connection to each other!

Anne Lurie
Raleigh, NC


"Heidi" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Does anyone have any recommendations for cleaning pruning shears? After
I cut back much of my boitritis ridden JFK, I dipped my pruners into
straight bleach, wiped off the excess moisture, and left them in the
open position in my garage. The next day my pruners were entirely
rusted. I don't mind the aesthetics, however I doubt this was very good
for my pruners. Maybe it was all in my mind, but I immediately felt as
if they were not as sharp once they rusted.

Should I water down the bleach? Store the pruners inside ( I think the
humidity level in my garage is pretty high--I once tried to store my
gardening gloves in a zip lock bag--the next day they were covered with
mold!).

Thanks for any tips!
Heidi

P.S. The JFK has bounced back and is just starting to produce new
healthy blooms. I first cut back the diseased growth and sprayed
Daconil on what little was left of my plant. The Daconil did not seem
to nip the boitritis in it's spotty bottom, so I then tried HALT. The
HALT did the trick and fast.

cleaning shears
 

Heidi wrote in message ...
Hi,

Does anyone have any recommendations for cleaning pruning shears? After
I cut back much of my boitritis ridden JFK, I dipped my pruners into
straight bleach, wiped off the excess moisture, and left them in the
open position in my garage. The next day my pruners were entirely
rusted. I don't mind the aesthetics, however I doubt this was very good
for my pruners. Maybe it was all in my mind, but I immediately felt as
if they were not as sharp once they rusted.

Should I water down the bleach? Store the pruners inside ( I think the
humidity level in my garage is pretty high--I once tried to store my
gardening gloves in a zip lock bag--the next day they were covered with
mold!).


Bleach is bad news for metal; chlorine is a strong oxidizer. Use
denatured alcohol to disinfect them. Then spray them with WD-40,
silicone, or
some other lubricant/protector. Plain old neat's foot oil works well
too.


Turpentine is good for removing sap and plant gum from pruners.

Whatever you do, --don't-- spray them with oven cleaner as some people
suggest. It will seriously damage aluminum handles. Try spraying
some on aluminum foil and see what happens. (do it outdoors)


J. Del Col

cleaning shears
 

"Anne Lurie" wrote in message r.com...

I know what you mean about storing stuff in the garage! Leather gloves are
goners in a hurry -- no longer do I even bother with the goatskin gloves I
used to prefer.

The best regimen for taking care of used goatskin gloves is to wash
them with pumice based soap (Lava, for example) while you are wearing
them. Then rinse them well. Wring them out--but while they are still
damp, treat them with something like Lexol or Glovolium( a product
used to soften baseball gloves--any sporting goods store should have
it) Finally, place them in the sun to dry. The gloves remain supple
and last a long time.

I've done this for years; no mold yet.

J. Del Col

cleaning shears
 

Does this work on leather also? I've got a pair of suede leather gloves that I
really like but they have gotten dirty and stiff over the years. Sure would be
nice to have them clean and supple again.

(J. Del Col) writes:

The best regimen for taking care of used goatskin gloves is to wash
them with pumice based soap (Lava, for example) while you are wearing
them. Then rinse them well. Wring them out--but while they are still
damp, treat them with something like Lexol or Glovolium( a product
used to soften baseball gloves--any sporting goods store should have
it) Finally, place them in the sun to dry. The gloves remain supple
and last a long time.

cleaning shears
 

On 7 Aug 2003 06:59:56 -0700, (J. Del Col) wrote:

The best regimen for taking care of used goatskin gloves is to wash
them with pumice based soap (Lava, for example) while you are wearing
them. Then rinse them well. Wring them out--but while they are still
damp, treat them with something like Lexol or Glovolium( a product
used to soften baseball gloves--any sporting goods store should have
it) Finally, place them in the sun to dry. The gloves remain supple
and last a long time.

I've done this for years; no mold yet.

J. Del Col


I nominate this for Most Helpful Post of the Year. I just scraped my
goatskin gauntlet gloves off of the worktable in the garage yesterday.
Eeww. I'll try the above regimen to see if I might resurrect them.

cleaning shears
 

Take a small planter bin (you know the planter boxes that are round and like
6" round by about 4" deep - I think they are called pots ;-) ) and fill them
with sand, then add some vegetable oil, and mush it around abit so that all
the sand is coated. Then when you are done with your tools, just stick them
in the pot, this will keep them from rusting. If I remember correctly I saw
this on a Martha Stewart show ages ago, and I've yet to have a rusty tool
since. I even use bigger pots to accomodate my shovels too.


"Heidi" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Does anyone have any recommendations for cleaning pruning shears? After
I cut back much of my boitritis ridden JFK, I dipped my pruners into
straight bleach, wiped off the excess moisture, and left them in the
open position in my garage. The next day my pruners were entirely
rusted. I don't mind the aesthetics, however I doubt this was very good
for my pruners. Maybe it was all in my mind, but I immediately felt as
if they were not as sharp once they rusted.

Should I water down the bleach? Store the pruners inside ( I think the
humidity level in my garage is pretty high--I once tried to store my
gardening gloves in a zip lock bag--the next day they were covered with
mold!).

Thanks for any tips!
Heidi

P.S. The JFK has bounced back and is just starting to produce new
healthy blooms. I first cut back the diseased growth and sprayed
Daconil on what little was left of my plant. The Daconil did not seem
to nip the boitritis in it's spotty bottom, so I then tried HALT. The
HALT did the trick and fast.

cleaning shears
 

Leather is leather in my book, I use the same technique on both my leather
skin gloves as well as my cow skin gloves and both my sets of gloves are
supple. Granted I need to replace my cow skin gloves because I have worn a
whole in a couple fingers (guess that should say how long I've had them now
using this method).


"Unique Too" wrote in message
...
Does this work on leather also? I've got a pair of suede leather gloves
that I
really like but they have gotten dirty and stiff over the years. Sure
would be
nice to have them clean and supple again.

(J. Del Col) writes:

The best regimen for taking care of used goatskin gloves is to wash
them with pumice based soap (Lava, for example) while you are wearing
them. Then rinse them well. Wring them out--but while they are still
damp, treat them with something like Lexol or Glovolium( a product
used to soften baseball gloves--any sporting goods store should have
it) Finally, place them in the sun to dry. The gloves remain supple
and last a long time.

cleaning shears
 

cleaning shears
 

Thanks everyone! Great tips for cleaning pruners and gloves!

Heidi




GamePlayer No. 1058 wrote:

Take a small planter bin (you know the planter boxes that are round and like
6" round by about 4" deep - I think they are called pots ;-) ) and fill them
with sand, then add some vegetable oil, and mush it around abit so that all
the sand is coated. Then when you are done with your tools, just stick them
in the pot, this will keep them from rusting. If I remember correctly I saw
this on a Martha Stewart show ages ago, and I've yet to have a rusty tool
since. I even use bigger pots to accomodate my shovels too.


"Heidi" wrote in message
...


Hi,

Does anyone have any recommendations for cleaning pruning shears? After
I cut back much of my boitritis ridden JFK, I dipped my pruners into
straight bleach, wiped off the excess moisture, and left them in the
open position in my garage. The next day my pruners were entirely
rusted. I don't mind the aesthetics, however I doubt this was very good
for my pruners. Maybe it was all in my mind, but I immediately felt as
if they were not as sharp once they rusted.

Should I water down the bleach? Store the pruners inside ( I think the
humidity level in my garage is pretty high--I once tried to store my
gardening gloves in a zip lock bag--the next day they were covered with
mold!).

Thanks for any tips!
Heidi

P.S. The JFK has bounced back and is just starting to produce new
healthy blooms. I first cut back the diseased growth and sprayed
Daconil on what little was left of my plant. The Daconil did not seem
to nip the boitritis in it's spotty bottom, so I then tried HALT. The
HALT did the trick and fast.

cleaning shears
 

The oil-in-sand tip for keeping garden tools from rusting goes back way
farther than Martha Stewart -- unfortunately, the oil of choice back then
was used motor oil!

Anne Lurie
Raleigh, NC


"GamePlayer No. 1058" wrote in message
...
Take a small planter bin (you know the planter boxes that are round and
like
6" round by about 4" deep - I think they are called pots ;-) ) and fill
them
with sand, then add some vegetable oil, and mush it around abit so that
all
the sand is coated. Then when you are done with your tools, just stick
them
in the pot, this will keep them from rusting. If I remember correctly I
saw
this on a Martha Stewart show ages ago, and I've yet to have a rusty tool
since. I even use bigger pots to accomodate my shovels too.


"Heidi" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Does anyone have any recommendations for cleaning pruning shears? After
I cut back much of my boitritis ridden JFK, I dipped my pruners into
straight bleach, wiped off the excess moisture, and left them in the
open position in my garage. The next day my pruners were entirely
rusted. I don't mind the aesthetics, however I doubt this was very good
for my pruners. Maybe it was all in my mind, but I immediately felt as
if they were not as sharp once they rusted.

Should I water down the bleach? Store the pruners inside ( I think the
humidity level in my garage is pretty high--I once tried to store my
gardening gloves in a zip lock bag--the next day they were covered with
mold!).

Thanks for any tips!
Heidi

P.S. The JFK has bounced back and is just starting to produce new
healthy blooms. I first cut back the diseased growth and sprayed
Daconil on what little was left of my plant. The Daconil did not seem
to nip the boitritis in it's spotty bottom, so I then tried HALT. The
HALT did the trick and fast.

cleaning shears
 

"Anne Lurie" wrote in message m...
The oil-in-sand tip for keeping garden tools from rusting goes back way
farther than Martha Stewart -- unfortunately, the oil of choice back then
was used motor oil!


The oil-in-sand "tip" sounds like a good way to dull the blades.

Just coat them with something like Break-Free CLP or WD-40- no rust,
no problem.

For winter storage use plain white lithium grease or automotive
wheel bearing grease. Every auto parts store in the country has both, and a
one pound tub will last for years.

J. Del Col

cleaning shears
 

As I read this, I have 2 beautiful JFKs cut in a bud vase in my kitchen.
They are huge and pure white. I'd don't understand the problem with JFK. I
don't get a lot of blooms, but what I get are truly beautiful.

Jan

Shiva wrote:

On Wed, 06 Aug 2003 17:02:54 GMT, Heidi wrote:

Hi,

Does anyone have any recommendations for cleaning pruning shears?

I wipe with alcohol.

After
I cut back much of my boitritis ridden JFK, I dipped my pruners into
straight bleach, wiped off the excess moisture, and left them in the
open position in my garage. The next day my pruners were entirely
rusted.

Welcome to the club. I washed mine once and left them to dry in the
dish drainer. Here is what you do: take a soft cloth and apply
vegetable or olive oil, it took the rust right off of my Felcos.

[...

Should I water down the bleach? Store the pruners inside ( I think the
humidity level in my garage is pretty high--I once tried to store my
gardening gloves in a zip lock bag--the next day they were covered with
mold!).

Heidi, it you use bleach, wipe with it, then wipe dry.


Thanks for any tips!
Heidi

P.S. The JFK has bounced back and is just starting to produce new
healthy blooms. I first cut back the diseased growth and sprayed
Daconil on what little was left of my plant. The Daconil did not seem
to nip the boitritis in it's spotty bottom, so I then tried HALT. The
HALT did the trick and fast.

I wish I could believe JFK is worth all the effort. I have never heard
a single good thing abou this rose. But if you love it, then good for
you for babying it. To each our own!

cleaning shears
 

"Jan Norris" wrote in message
...
As I read this, I have 2 beautiful JFKs cut in a bud vase in my kitchen.
They are huge and pure white. I'd don't understand the problem with JFK.
I
don't get a lot of blooms, but what I get are truly beautiful.

Jan


Well, that's exactly the problem for most people with JFK. Yes, the blooms
are nice.... IF you can get it to put any out!!! I liked the ones I had
too, but it hardly ever bloomed. The space in my tiny yard is too valuable
to waste on a rose that's going to put out 2 or 3 blooms tops per year. Too
bad, cuz it does put out really nice blooms. Just not often enough.

JimS.
Seattle

cleaning shears
 

Hmmm. Strange, I just planted a JFK that had no blooms on it when I planted
it. Then within 2 weeks I had 3 blooms, but I neglected to water it as it's
in an odd spot in my yard, then when I started to water it again, it put out
3 more blooms, but again I neglected to water it properly. Now Im back on
track and watering daily, hopefully it will produce 3 more that I can cut
and vase.


"JimS." wrote in message
news:_PeZa.106925$uu5.14550@sccrnsc04...

"Jan Norris" wrote in message
...
As I read this, I have 2 beautiful JFKs cut in a bud vase in my kitchen.
They are huge and pure white. I'd don't understand the problem with
JFK.
I
don't get a lot of blooms, but what I get are truly beautiful.

Jan


Well, that's exactly the problem for most people with JFK. Yes, the
blooms
are nice.... IF you can get it to put any out!!! I liked the ones I had
too, but it hardly ever bloomed. The space in my tiny yard is too
valuable
to waste on a rose that's going to put out 2 or 3 blooms tops per year.
Too
bad, cuz it does put out really nice blooms. Just not often enough.

JimS.
Seattle

cleaning shears
 

I've yet to have a problem with dull shovels or hand shovels, and my pruners
get sharpened on a regular basis anyway since it only takes me about 3
minutes to sharpen 2 pruners. I suppose it doesnt matter which method you
do, but I like being able to just shove my shovel or hand shovel or pruners
into a pot of oil soaked sand instead of having to spray them with
something. Just more convienient for my lifestyle.


"J. Del Col" wrote in message
m...
"Anne Lurie" wrote in message
m...
The oil-in-sand tip for keeping garden tools from rusting goes back way
farther than Martha Stewart -- unfortunately, the oil of choice back
then
was used motor oil!


The oil-in-sand "tip" sounds like a good way to dull the blades.

Just coat them with something like Break-Free CLP or WD-40- no rust,
no problem.

For winter storage use plain white lithium grease or automotive
wheel bearing grease. Every auto parts store in the country has both, and
a
one pound tub will last for years.

J. Del Col

cleaning shears
 

"GamePlayer No. 1058" wrote in message ...
I've yet to have a problem with dull shovels or hand shovels, and my pruners
get sharpened on a regular basis anyway since it only takes me about 3
minutes to sharpen 2 pruners. I suppose it doesnt matter which method you
do, but I like being able to just shove my shovel or hand shovel or pruners
into a pot of oil soaked sand instead of having to spray them with
something. Just more convienient for my lifestyle.

How do you keep the grit out of the mechanism?

J. Del Col

cleaning shears
 

I dont, the first couple "clips" feel gritty, then the mechanism cleans
itself..


"J. Del Col" wrote in message
m...
"GamePlayer No. 1058" wrote in message
...
I've yet to have a problem with dull shovels or hand shovels, and my
pruners
get sharpened on a regular basis anyway since it only takes me about 3
minutes to sharpen 2 pruners. I suppose it doesnt matter which method
you
do, but I like being able to just shove my shovel or hand shovel or
pruners
into a pot of oil soaked sand instead of having to spray them with
something. Just more convienient for my lifestyle.

How do you keep the grit out of the mechanism?

J. Del Col

cleaning shears
 

I feel it's my duty to interject here, since I helped this thread along way
past its allotted time.....

I believe that the custom of sticking garden tools in oil-soaked sand
referred primarily to shovels, spades, trowels, hoes, pitchforks, saws
(maybe), etc. -- so there was no mechanism such as would be found on even
the most primitive pruners.

Anne Lurie
Raleigh, NC


"J. Del Col" wrote in message
m...
"GamePlayer No. 1058" wrote in message
...
I've yet to have a problem with dull shovels or hand shovels, and my
pruners
get sharpened on a regular basis anyway since it only takes me about 3
minutes to sharpen 2 pruners. I suppose it doesnt matter which method
you
do, but I like being able to just shove my shovel or hand shovel or
pruners
into a pot of oil soaked sand instead of having to spray them with
something. Just more convienient for my lifestyle.

How do you keep the grit out of the mechanism?

J. Del Col

After I cut aback abundant of my boitritis ridden JFK, I biconcave my pruners into straight bleach, wiped off the balance moisture, and larboard them in the open position in my garage. The next day my pruners were entirely rusted. I don't apperception the aesthetics, about I agnosticism this was actual good for my pruners.