Cleaning Tools off

[Vimmelman]

Anyone got any tips on removing paint from tools? My sliding mitersaw got abit of paint on the table since my neighbour borrowed it and cut (not completely dry) painted siding for his house. 

 

[Chris161190]

In the uk we have a product called gt85 similar to wd40 but a better product, also contains ptfe which is the ingredient in most 'back to black' plastic sprays.
I blow my tools off with compressed (dried) air then spray some gt85 all over them. This both protects any exposed metal and also brings all the plastic back to looking like new. Even brings a hint of that new festool smell back.
Do all my tools maybe once a year most times just a blow of compressed air is sufficient

Chris

 

[AlexThePalex]

Anyone got any tips on removing paint from tools? My sliding mitersaw got abit of paint on the table since my neighbour borrowed it and cut (not completely dry) painted siding for his house.

Paint thinner. The strong stuff that contains xylene or toluene. On older paint you may have to rub hard with a rag and use your finger nails to scratch it away, but eventually you can remove it all.

 

[Vimmelman]

Anyone got any tips on removing paint from tools? My sliding mitersaw got abit of paint on the table since my neighbour borrowed it and cut (not completely dry) painted siding for his house.

Paint thinner. The strong stuff that contains xylene or toluene. On older paint you may have to rub hard with a rag and use your finger nails to scratch it away, but eventually you can remove it all.

Sounds good, but how will the plastic like it i wonder?

 

[ear3]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member]  Yes, I am.  Already put some in my router bit case, with my turning tools, and in the drawer in which I store my saw blades, and now trying to decide where to put the rest.

[member=37411]Edward A Reno III[/member]
Are you thinking about using those desiccant packs from Lee Valley that we discussed in an earlier thread?

If so, I would think they would work well, however if you try this I'd be very interested in your feedback.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Anyone got any tips on removing paint from tools? My sliding mitersaw got abit of paint on the table since my neighbour borrowed it and cut (not completely dry) painted siding for his house.

Paint thinner. The strong stuff that contains xylene or toluene. On older paint you may have to rub hard with a rag and use your finger nails to scratch it away, but eventually you can remove it all.

Sounds good, but how will the plastic like it i wonder?

Quality brands use quality plastic for their tools that is very chemically resistant and so the plastic will not mind. I've cleaned lots and lots of tools already with this.

Occasionally there are some parts that will not like it, like for instance the black plastic on Festool vacs, because it is ABS.

If you're not sure, try it out on a tiny patch first with a rag. The stuff is not like a strong acid so it's not going to burn a hole right through, you'll just see a little superficial smear.

Terpentine (white spirit) can also be used and is much friendler than thinner, but not as effective.