What causes this crazy brown 'crazing' in a varnished steel measuring square?

Chuck Banshee · 2012-02-04T04:22:29+00:00

What causes this crazy brown crazing on a varnished steel square? can be done to get rid of it (so that I can read the numbers on the rule)?I pulled out this measuring square out of my toolbox and was dismayed to realize that it was almost impossible to read the markings because of this haphazard crazy brown "crazing" all over the place. Can it be fixed?

Feb 04, 2012 24 Replies

Rate this thread:

joevan 14 years ago

Thanks, Sounds just like what I was looking for.

Vote

Chuck Banshee 14 years ago

Update: You guys were right all along!

The crazing didn't look like rust at the crazed parts - but - at the end, where the varnish/lacquer peeled up - it certainly did look like rust underneath.

Here's a closeup:

formatting link

I think I'll just replace it.

Vote

dadiOH 14 years ago

Stainless steel would be good.

Vote

Jim Yanik 14 years ago

Chuck Banshee wrote in news:jgp8gv$l8v$ snipped-for-privacy@speranza.aioe.org:

Wasteful....a little elbow grease,and you're restored a good tool.

I had to use steel wool to clean my square's steel rule,and then I sprayed it with Krylon crystal clear. wipe the rule with paint first to fill in the markings for an easier read.

Vote