I picked up a silver-colored (don’t know if it’s stainless or what) bit with a copper roller. It has “gunk” on it that I’m trying to get off! I’ve tried using water and my hand, but can’t quite get it all. I am not sure what to try using that will remove the stuff, but be safe for horses. Suggestions?
toothpaste on toothbrush.
baking soda on a toothbrush
Gunk like caked on spit and hay and grain?
Or like the bit was wrapped in latex and it melted down and was removed?
If it’s just ordinary horse mouth stuff, I’m a fan of a few tabs of denture cleaner in a small bucket of water.
If it’s old sealtex remnants, about the only thing I’ve had good luck with was using Goo Gone. Have to rinse like crazy afterward though.
[QUOTE=blairasb;6583990]
Gunk like caked on spit and hay and grain?
Or like the bit was wrapped in latex and it melted down and was removed?
If it’s just ordinary horse mouth stuff, I’m a fan of a few tabs of denture cleaner in a small bucket of water.
If it’s old sealtex remnants, about the only thing I’ve had good luck with was using Goo Gone. Have to rinse like crazy afterward though.[/QUOTE]
Yes, gunk like caked on spit and hay and grain.
Thanks, guys, I’m off to get a toothbrush and try out some ingredients!
Hmm…I’ve always just used hot water and soak time to loosen up the hay/grass/spit, then followed up with a toothbrush or something similar (pipe cleaners, bailing twine; anything I can feed through or around joints).
I’ll have to remember the denture cleaner tabs for next time!
Dishwasher usually works pretty well too 
[QUOTE=AdAblurr02;6590076]
Dishwasher usually works pretty well too :)[/QUOTE]
I’d be worried about running any bit with copper through the dishwasher unless you were going to totally leave out the detergent.
All my copper bottom Revereware pots are pitted from doing that.
Polident.
2 tablets in a bowl of warm water and let soak for 20 minutes or so.
Anything left will rinse off.
A vinegar & water solution rubbed on with a rag may help put some shine back on the metals. This is after using the toothbrush and cleaning the caked on debris.
I found that a magic eraser does a great job getting whitish tarnish off stainless buckles and such- might work on bit gunk too.
Dishwasher is my vote.
I have not had any issues with my copper bottom pots or my bits.
I soak them in hot water with some Ammonia added. Not alot. Just a quarter cup to a quart of hot water. Let it soak for half an hour or until the water is cold. Never had this fail. Then I spray the bit with clean water and they sparkle like new.
Another vote for the dishwasher. I just ran my copper kimberwick thru and it did just fine.
Dishwasher and /or scrubber and Cameo or Bar Keepers Friend. Rinse well.
I soak mine in hot water and then scrup with a toothbrush, and then I scrub with the toothbrush/toothpaste.
I use one of those green felt-like plastic scrubby pads you can buy cheaply by the packet for scrubbing pots and pans. Like a Brillo pad, but plastic rather than metal. That and some clean water is all it takes for bit crusties.
No, no, no. I apologize for maybe reviving an outdated thread, but this is Just Too Important. And gee by the way this whole board has changed while I’ve been gone but looks good.
How to clean a gunky bit:
- Place bit in bowl
- Pour in a bottle of Coca Cola Classic.
- Go do something for 2-3 hours. Like ride a horse, go shopping, whatever.
- Come back and remove bit. Rinse with water, dump coke. No scrubbing or brushing involved.
Been working for me for decades. Well, okay, I honestly haven’t let one get ‘that’ gunky for decades, but after my Mom observed my technique in the early 70s- well, she has not had a Coke since.
