Cleaning Steel Plug and Ring Gages
Here are some of our recommendations:
- Please check with your Health and Safety Administrators for guidance within your facility.
- Always refer to the Safety Data Sheet for the product. These sheets help to identify the correct and incorrect uses of their products. Current Safety Data Sheets can usually be found on the manufacturer’s website.
- Please follow the OSHA, CDC and EPA cleaning recommendations. (Agency links below.)
Plug and ring gages are typically manufactured from tool steels. Tool Steels are not Stainless Steel and as such may have different cleaning requirements.
Q 1 - Can steel gages be cleaned with alcohol?
Yes, with care:
- It is okay to clean the gage with alcohol after handling or before use.
- The alcohol breaks down greases and oils allowing them to be removed from the steel surface.
- Re-oil the gage after cleaning and before storage to prevent rust.
- Alcohol strips the protective oils from the steel.
- In this stripped condition, humidity, other corrosive environments or the salts from our skin can lead to corrosion on the steel gages.
Q 2 - Can steel gages be cleaned with disinfecting wipes?
Not advised:
- These wipes can damage the gages.
- The cleaner combined with the oils used to protect the gages, can cause a gummy greasy residue that is hard to remove.
- If applied to un-oiled tool steel, may cause corrosion.
Q 3 - Can steel gages be cleaned with bleach solutions?
Not advised:
- This solution, depending on strength, can damage the steel gages.
- The cleaner combined with the oils used to protect the gages, can cause a gummy greasy residue that is hard to remove.
- If applied to un-oiled tool steel, may cause corrosion.
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/controlprevention.html#health