dottyt
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2016
Posts: 305
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Post by dottyt on Aug 13, 2016 18:36:18 GMT -5
I recently bought a Lortone 33B with a couple of extra barrels so I would not have to clean between grits so much. But this leaves me with a dumb question: How much do you have to clean the lips? They get quite dirty anytime you open a barrel and it seems the only way to get the slurry off them is to empty everything out and do a good cleaning. If I try cleaning with a sponge, toothbrush, or paper towels too much water drips in the barrel. Is there a good way to clean them or maybe it doesn't hurt if they are dirty? I am afraid this may cause the barrels to leak.
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Post by Garage Rocker on Aug 13, 2016 19:12:43 GMT -5
The lip, or rim, does need to be clear of grit and dry before you put the lid back on. Anything left in there will rub and eventually leave you with a bad seal. I plan on dumping and cleaning anytime I open it, but if you need to check it, you can pour out some slurry and use a spray bottle to clean the lip before putting the lid back on. You'll end up filling the barrel back up while trying to clean the grit off the lip. Of course, you'll then have diluted your slurry. Try to get your loads dialed in so you can let them go a week, then do a clean out. Otherwise, you are doing extra work and doing a lot of guessing on getting your slurry right. You can listen to the rocks rolling in the barrel and tell if things are going well.
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dottyt
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2016
Posts: 305
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Post by dottyt on Aug 13, 2016 23:15:11 GMT -5
Good to know! I used to be meticulous about cleaning everything, but I never even thought of drying off the rim or lid edges.
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huskeric
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 353
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Post by huskeric on Aug 14, 2016 18:05:16 GMT -5
I keep a package of cheap-o Wet Wipes and shop paper towels on my bench for that purpose. I like to peek in on my rocks way more than I should, so I go through a lot of them. =)
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dottyt
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2016
Posts: 305
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Post by dottyt on Aug 14, 2016 23:34:17 GMT -5
I keep a package of cheap-o Wet Wipes and shop paper towels on my bench for that purpose. I like to peek in on my rocks way more than I should, so I go through a lot of them. =) I used to do that. Then I got concerned that something in the wipes would cause the rubber to deteriorate. I found this handy chart: mykin.com/rubber-chemical-resistance-chartBut since I have no idea which of the 13 types of "rubber" the Lortone barrels are made of or what exactly is in the wipes I got more concerned. Everything that might be in the wipes like Isopropyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Mineral Oil, or Glycerine is okay with some rubber and not with others. Now I am really wondering what the barrels are made of....
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Post by txrockhunter on Aug 15, 2016 6:19:16 GMT -5
I've got a 3 & 12 pound barrel that I've been running for about 2 years, checking every 2-3 days.......I'm a "checker"!
I use an old toothbrush and a cup of water to clean the lip off. I've never dried it off, before putting the lid on. Haven't had any issues.
Just another way to look at it.
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huskeric
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 353
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Post by huskeric on Aug 15, 2016 9:31:34 GMT -5
I've got a 3 & 12 pound barrel that I've been running for about 2 years, checking every 2-3 days.......I'm a "checker"! I use an old toothbrush and a cup of water to clean the lip off. I've never dried it off, before putting the lid on. Haven't had any issues. Just another way to look at it. I think I have my new "go-to" solution! That's quick and certainly will do a better job of getting the clumps of grit/slurry that inevitably hang onto the rim/lid. I have three boys, and if I rotate their toothbrushes in/out, I will have cleaner barrels AND they'll have cleaner teeth. I'm guessing some 60/90 will do a nice job of removing tartar! ;-)
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,547
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Post by tkvancil on Aug 16, 2016 11:20:16 GMT -5
Damp paper towel. All you need.
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Post by Toad on Aug 16, 2016 13:28:33 GMT -5
The lip, or rim, does need to be clear of grit and dry before you put the lid back on. Anything left in there will rub and eventually leave you with a bad seal. I plan on dumping and cleaning anytime I open it, but if you need to check it, you can pour out some slurry and use a spray bottle to clean the lip before putting the lid back on. You'll end up filling the barrel back up while trying to clean the grit off the lip. Of course, you'll then have diluted your slurry. Try to get your loads dialed in so you can let them go a week, then do a clean out. Otherwise, you are doing extra work and doing a lot of guessing on getting your slurry right. You can listen to the rocks rolling in the barrel and tell if things are going well. I always make sure the barrel where where the lid sits is clean before re-sealing. But I also make sure it is wet. I have a spray bottle for that purpose. Like the concept of rubbing oil on the gasket of an oil filter before installing it. No leaks for me...
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Post by Garage Rocker on Aug 16, 2016 13:41:57 GMT -5
The lip, or rim, does need to be clear of grit and dry before you put the lid back on. Anything left in there will rub and eventually leave you with a bad seal. I plan on dumping and cleaning anytime I open it, but if you need to check it, you can pour out some slurry and use a spray bottle to clean the lip before putting the lid back on. You'll end up filling the barrel back up while trying to clean the grit off the lip. Of course, you'll then have diluted your slurry. Try to get your loads dialed in so you can let them go a week, then do a clean out. Otherwise, you are doing extra work and doing a lot of guessing on getting your slurry right. You can listen to the rocks rolling in the barrel and tell if things are going well. I always make sure the barrel where where the lid sits is clean before re-sealing. But I also make sure it is wet. I have a spray bottle for that purpose. Like the concept of rubbing oil on the gasket of an oil filter before installing it. No leaks for me... Sounds reasonable. I dry mine because I find it easier to see any grit still stuck around the rim. Never thought about re-wetting it after cleaning off. I guess if both methods work, it must not matter too much.
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