Went to a tool auction Wed nite and bought a big plastic tote of what I thought was mostly junk, but turned out there were a number of Snap-On and Mac sockets in it. Deep, shallow, swivel, and ALL covered with a greenish-white powdery substance with some sparkle in it.These sockets look like impact sockets which would have been black oxide finish.

Trying to figure out what the substance is and how to get rid of it. Right now I'm thinking dunk them in a bucket of Coca-Cola or molasses to see if this mess will dissolve, and then run them thru my vibratory tumbler using green resin chips.

Any ideas? If they can be salvaged would be shameful to throw them out, but I paid 5 bux for the whole shooting match so I'm not out much if they can't. The rest of the stuff in the tote justified buying it.

What was sad is the tools were from a master mechanic's estate and looked to have been stored badly after he could no longer use them. I had never seen Snap-On chrome finish rusted and pitted like many of these tools were.

 

Probably black oxide finish. A lot of industrial grade tools are finished with black oxide. Somewhat slip and corosion resistant. I don't think it will be easy to get rid of. Why?

Wayne

 

Will snap-on, or mac replace them for free?

 

if they are broken or the chrome flaking off off.but not rust.

 

Snap on had a line of black oxide finish for most of their tools, not just impacts. I would wash and blast one first. Some mechanics or shops I have seen would spray paint to ID.

 

Black oxide isn't hard to remove if it is the same black oxide as the bluing on firearms. Acid will take it off in seconds depending on strength. Try vinegar first as it is probably the mildest and work up to muratic acid if vinegar is too slow. Things should happen quickly..... Tedd

 

Thanks for suggestions but this stuff is a greenish white powder that has coated the black oxide. Looks like a chemical reaction. I haven't messed with it anymore but vinegar may be a good start.