Oxidated aluminium steel of safety razor

[Smoothshave]

My aluminum handle had calcium deposits on it from the tapwater I used. I tried to clean it with a product called Antikal which contained: phosporic acid, formic acid, editronic acid and C9- 11 Pareth-8. It was a stupid thing to do because it oxidized the aluminum leaving a mat white stain on the steel. It looks like this now:

Does anyone know if there is any possibility to remove this stain? Normal detergent does not remove it which is quite obvious.

 

[Galius]

Probably etched from the acid.

If you have a Dremel tool, but a buffing pad on it and use some rouge.

Hand-polishing with toothpaste might also work, but will require some work.

Note that that buffed area will be very bright, because the aluminum oxide is worn off. Exposure to air will eventually re-form the oxide coating, and it will match the rest of the razor.

 

[billc508]

What you have is aluminum, not aluminum steel, these two metals are completely different, you either have alum or you have steel. It sounds like the former respondent pegged it right, you took down the aluminum oxide, which is a surface coating all the way to the bright area which is the actual aluminum itself. In time the surface will form oxides from exposure to atmosphere and will turn back the same color, that's what aluminum does, steel forms iron oxides which we call rust, aluminum forms oxides which are related to the metal structure other than steel. You can find a suitable metal polish which is specifically for aluminum but what the acid did in your cleaner was to "strip" the oxide off the aluminum surface so you don't want any thing with a stripper like an acid in it, the rouge sounds good, something that is mildly abrasive with no solvents, it isn't ruined but you may have to work at it a little, good luck bc

 

[Smoothshave]

What you have is aluminum, not aluminum steel, these two metals are completely different, you either have alum or you have steel. It sounds like the former respondent pegged it right, you took down the aluminum oxide, which is a surface coating all the way to the bright area which is the actual aluminum itself. In time the surface will form oxides from exposure to atmosphere and will turn back the same color, that's what aluminum does, steel forms iron oxides which we call rust, aluminum forms oxides which are related to the metal structure other than steel. You can find a suitable metal polish which is specifically for aluminum but what the acid did in your cleaner was to "strip" the oxide off the aluminum surface so you don't want any thing with a stripper like an acid in it, the rouge sounds good, something that is mildly abrasive with no solvents, it isn't ruined but you may have to work at it a little, good luck bc

I meant aluminum handle. Steel means handle in Dutch and I thougt it was the same in English. Clearly the acid ripped off the oxide of the surface. Ok. Thanks for the explanation. I also thought that the word "Aluminium" in Dutch was written the same in English: "Aluminium". I understand that "aluminum" is more common.

 

[Rufust445]

I meant aluminum handle. Steel means handle in Dutch and I thougt it was the same in English. Clearly the acid ripped off the oxide of the surface. Ok. Thanks for the explanation. I also thought that the word "Aluminium" in Dutch was written the same in English: "Aluminium". I understand that "aluminum" is more common.

When aluminium came on the scene in the 19th century, Americans had trouble pronouncing the word, so it became aluminum in the U.S. In the rest of the English-speaking world, including Canada, it is still aluminium.

e.g.: I have a Gillette English Tech razor from the 1950's with an aluminium handle and base plate. I also have a 1967 U.S. Travel Tech razor with an aluminum handle. (As I write this, the spell checker is flagging aluminium as misspelled.)

 

[100pctFragranceFree]

When aluminium came on the scene in the 19th century, Americans had trouble pronouncing the word, so it became aluminum in the U.S. In the rest of the English-speaking world, including Canada, it is still aluminium.

e.g.: I have a Gillette English Tech razor from the 1950's with an aluminium handle and base plate. I also have a 1967 U.S. Travel Tech razor with an aluminum handle. (As I write this, the spell checker is flagging aluminium as misspelled.)

Interesting

 

[Brutus]

I meant aluminum handle. I also thought that the word "Aluminium" in Dutch was written the same in English: "Aluminium". I understand that "aluminum" is more common.

aluminum = US

aluminium = ROW (Rest of the World)

Not sure which one is the more common and I won’t wade into that discussion…


There is a product available called Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser that contains a fine abrasive powder (finer than the usual kitchen scouring powders).
Not sure where you can find it in the Netherlands (but amazon.nl lists it) and you may have to find an equivalent product, but it works also on aluminium, restores a universal appearance, and from there on you could let the natural aluminium oxidation do its thing and create a protective coat again.

If you look for an equivalent, the idea is to use something that so fine that it does not produce scratches that a visible to the naked eye.



B.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

This thread is from 2009 and member Smoothshave hasn’t been back since 2013, I doubt he still needs help.

 

[StewB]

...Americans had trouble pronouncing the word...

I find this rather doubtful. From what I have read, the difference is regional, but not because Americans "have difficulty" pronouncing the "-ium" suffix (we pronounce lots of other words with that suffix, after all). Both spellings and pronunciations are acceptable.

 

[kingfisher]

I find this rather doubtful. From what I have read, the difference is regional, but not because Americans "have difficulty" pronouncing the "-ium" suffix (we pronounce lots of other words with that suffix, after all). Both spellings and pronunciations are acceptable.

Both are acceptable, but if you say 'aluminium' in the US, people will think you are either stupid or pretentious.

In the event that you find yourself in the US and for some reason the topic of conversation moves to metals, I highly recommend that you stick with the pronunciation with fewer syllables.

Also, as mentioned above, I'm pretty sure the OP's razor handle has probably produced its protective oxide by now.

 

[DrStrange]

I find this rather doubtful. From what I have read, the difference is regional, but not because Americans "have difficulty" pronouncing the "-ium" suffix (we pronounce lots of other words with that suffix, after all). Both spellings and pronunciations are acceptable.

You are correct.
His explanation was completely made up and wrong.

What Is the Difference Between Aluminum and Aluminium?

Is it aluminum or aluminium? What's the difference between them? Walk through the history of these two terms today with this guide on Eagle Mouldings.

eagle-aluminum.com

 

[Brutus]

Both are acceptable, but if you say 'aluminium' in the US, people will think you are either stupid or pretentious.

In the event that you find yourself in the US and for some reason the topic of conversation moves to metals, I highly recommend that you stick with the pronunciation with fewer syllables.

Alternatively, stick to “aluminium” and use your normal, British, Australian, Canadian, or any non-US manner of intonation of the English language.
It would be a pity if the rest of the world would be expected to adopt a different spelling and pronunciation, just because one nation did.

If we did, we might have to give up the metric system next. Oh, the horror!
It took years to forget £sd (pounds, shillings and pence).


But now I have to get off my chesterfield and check the tyres of my car.
If I should need new ones, I wonder whether the tyre repair shop still accepts cheques.
I should also make a note not to forget the spare tyre in the boot and then open the bonnet and check the engine oil level. Come to think of it, windscreen wipers might need changing too…


And after that, a nice cuppa tea…


B.

 

[kingfisher]

Alternatively, stick to “aluminium” and use your normal, British, Australian, Canadian, or any non-US manner of intonation of the English language.
It would be a pity if the rest of the world would be expected to adopt a different spelling and pronunciation, just because one nation did.

If we did, we might have to give up the metric system next. Oh, the horror!
It took years to forget £sd (pounds, shillings and pence).


But now I have to get off my chesterfield and check the tyres of my car.
If I should need new ones, I wonder whether the tyre repair shop still accepts cheques.
I should also make a note not to forget the spare tyre in the boot and then open the bonnet and check the engine oil level. Come to think of it, windscreen wipers might need changing too…


And after that, a nice cuppa tea…


B.

Or have a nice biscuit.

'How can you have your pudding if you won't eat your meat?'