JCinPA
The Lather Maestro
There is no "disagreement" on whether vinegar will work or not ... only those who know that acetic acid is a fairly efficient stripper of nickel and chrome plating, and those who do not know that. It is not something on which opinions may differ or a YMMV thing.
Thanks to ilpadrino for linking to the post with the photos of the damage I did to a minty Gillette Slim with vinegar. Also, please understand I mean no offense to you, alumblock, but you are quite simply, wrong. I am not arguing with you that you have not been able to soak razors in a dilute solution of vinegar so far without obvious damage, but you are taking unecessary chances.
It is an undisputable fact (not open to differences of opinion) that acetic acid is an effective stripper of plating ... do a simple Google search. It is also true that industrial strippers are of higher concentration, I understand that. I also understand that when folks use much more dilute solutions they have gotten away with it. But chemical reactions are chemical reactions, the solution strength only determines the speed and completeness of the reaction. It is not like soaking your razors in dilute solutions of vinegar is not damaging them, it just takes a long time for it to become apparent. While alumblock, and others, have used vinegar without apparent damage, they are tempting fate. My experience is just as valid, from an anecdotal perspective. Here are photos of my experience.
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And not so new:
Again, alumblock, my intention is not to poke you, but I really wish folks would stop recommending vinegar around here for cleaning, when there are so many other things that work as well without the potential for damaging razors. Let me rephrase your post to make it clear.
Frankly, you are not 'adding to the debate'. You are recommending risky procedures. Again, so much of this activity is open to interpretation and opinion. This is not one of them. It is in the realm of science, it is settled fact, and you have just been lucky you have not used a strong enough/long enough soak to cause visible damage ... yet. It is most assuredly a bad practice.
Thanks to ilpadrino for linking to the post with the photos of the damage I did to a minty Gillette Slim with vinegar. Also, please understand I mean no offense to you, alumblock, but you are quite simply, wrong. I am not arguing with you that you have not been able to soak razors in a dilute solution of vinegar so far without obvious damage, but you are taking unecessary chances.
It is an undisputable fact (not open to differences of opinion) that acetic acid is an effective stripper of plating ... do a simple Google search. It is also true that industrial strippers are of higher concentration, I understand that. I also understand that when folks use much more dilute solutions they have gotten away with it. But chemical reactions are chemical reactions, the solution strength only determines the speed and completeness of the reaction. It is not like soaking your razors in dilute solutions of vinegar is not damaging them, it just takes a long time for it to become apparent. While alumblock, and others, have used vinegar without apparent damage, they are tempting fate. My experience is just as valid, from an anecdotal perspective. Here are photos of my experience.
New:
And not so new:
Again, alumblock, my intention is not to poke you, but I really wish folks would stop recommending vinegar around here for cleaning, when there are so many other things that work as well without the potential for damaging razors. Let me rephrase your post to make it clear.
Just to add to the debate - I clean my (modern) razor with an ultrasound cleaner, using hot water and a squirt of acid often used to remove plating from razors. I've never had any problems. I wouldn't use the acid used to remove plating full strength though. You might not be as lucky as I have been so far.
Frankly, you are not 'adding to the debate'. You are recommending risky procedures. Again, so much of this activity is open to interpretation and opinion. This is not one of them. It is in the realm of science, it is settled fact, and you have just been lucky you have not used a strong enough/long enough soak to cause visible damage ... yet. It is most assuredly a bad practice.
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