How do I clean wood folding rules?

[clovis]

I was fortunate last week. I bought three folding wood rules at an estate sale for less that $1 each.

One is a Stanly 66 1/2, which is a 36 inch rule.

Another is a Stanley 12 inch folding rule with a brass pull out caliper thingamajig.

The third is marked No. 88, which is very faint. I can't find a maker's mark yet, and haven't looked it up. It is a four sectioned folding rule, 24 inches.

What is the best way to clean these rules? Two of the three have an oily-grimey build up from sitting in a dirty tool box for years.

I'm not trying to restore, just clean.

Thanks!!!!! 

[Lostmind]

I use WD 40 for cleaning,has never hurt anything yet.

[Branson]

Start with mild detergent & water, or mineral spirits to dissolve the greasy stuff.  The mineral spirits will penetrate the pores of the wood where some of the greasy stuff lives and lift it out.

[mikeswrenches]

I like using turpentine for cleaning wood, if the water and soap doesn't do the job.  I've also used mineral spirits.  Both work well but I lean toward the turps, since it is made from a wood byproduct.

Most of  those old rules are made of boxwood, which is a very dense almost grainless wood.  Don't use anything much harsher than the mineral spirits as you don't want to destroy the markings.

Good Luck,

Mike

[clovis]

Thank you, fellas!

I've used GoJo and Goop hand cleaner in the past on some tools, but I don't want to take a chance on these. I don't want to darken the wood anymore than it already is.

I'll try some detergent and water first, and then move up to something else, like the turpentine, mineral spirits or WD-40. I've got all three on the shelf.

I certainly have a soft spot for vintage folding rules. These three take my tiny collection up to about 9 now....I don't actively seek them out, but sometimes they seem to find me.
 

[Lewill2]

My grandfather's majic formula is, 1 part boiled linseed oil, 1 part turpentine and 1 part white vinegar. If it is really dirty you can mix in a little powdered pumice to make it clean faster. This mixture does have a shelf life so mix small batches so you don't have to have it sit around a long time. I never used the pumice in my mixtures.

[geneg]

Murphy's Oil soap diluted slightly.  Minwax wood cleaner.  Hardwood floor cleaners.  Goop, Go-Jo or almost any of the waterless hand cleaners.  I use most of the above depending on where I am & what is at hand.  Mineral spirits or WD-40 are both good for nasty grime & slight rust.  For the most part, avoid water as much as possible.  If you really like it, follow with a light coat of Johnson's Paste Wax, Trewax, Minwax finishing wax, or the equivalent.  (car wax isn't the same). A SMALL drop of light oil on each joint before putting it away is a very good idea.

[Branson]

Current museum practice uses inorganic products at almost all levels, especially with wood.  Organics are edible by a bunch of critters, so no linseed, no turps, etc.  Mineral spirits to clean, careful use of some detergents, and only microcrystaline waxes. 

Kerosene gives you everything you need from WD 40 for cleaning at a lot lower cost. 

[WiebeLC]

I use "Conservator's Wax" that I order from Lee Valley. It doesn't change the color of the wood but it helps to clean off a thin layer of dust. Doesn't really do a great job of cleaning though.

[clovis]

Thank you again for the replies!!!

I cleaned the folding rules today. First, I tried dish detergent suds and a wet rag, which helped get some of the grime off the surfaces.

I then switched to GoJo hand cleaner. My goodness, that cleaned the oil, grime, dirt and some set-in stains like you wouldn't believe. Even after clean-up, while they look very good, these examples are far too rough to hold any great value, but they will be beautiful additions to my tool box.

Again, thank you!!!!