mossyrockhound
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2011
Posts: 1,315
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Post by mossyrockhound on Oct 26, 2019 12:38:40 GMT -5
I was wondering what is the preferred (most efficient and economical combination) way to clean the oil off your rocks as they come out of the saw? I've tried a lot of ways, but haven't found any method that I would say is absolutely the best. Here are some of the ways I've used:
1) kitty litter
2) hot water and detergent
3) sawdust
4) engine degreaser
5) brake cleaner
#5 probably worked the best for me but gets kind of pricey if you cut many larger rocks.
Thanks for any input you may have. There is probably an old thread on this subject, but I didn't see one. I just use water (with rust preventer) on for my trim saw, so I'm basically looking for slab saw oil clean-up ideas.
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Oct 26, 2019 12:49:51 GMT -5
What I usually do is put them on a drain rack overnight, and then into kitty litter for a day. If I'm not in a hurry to get it done, that is.
If I want it done immediately I'll wipe them off and wash them using some Dawn Ultra in the water.
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Oct 26, 2019 13:37:39 GMT -5
My slabs go through three steps after cutting. First is a quick squeegee of excess oil on the slab right over the saw to save oil, second is swish around by hand in a bucket of oil-dri from the auto parts store (about 20 side to side strokes per side), last step is a bucket of hot water and dawn dish soap. Thoroughly scrub then set out to dry.
Chuck
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,723 
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Post by Fossilman on Oct 26, 2019 14:39:43 GMT -5
I use kitty litter after I cut the slabs, than goes into warm soapy water (Dawn dish soap), than clean fresh water....
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stillrockinpdx
starting to shine!
Hey!! I got a Star! - Find me on Instagram under stillrockinpdx - I collect other things too.
Member since April 2017
Posts: 45
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Post by stillrockinpdx on May 3, 2020 21:46:01 GMT -5
Drip dry until I go to saw again then it’s in kitty litter for however long but over twenty four hours the several runs with dawn Liquid soap. Blue stuff. / a club member does the shake over the saw, then quick dip in hot water to remove oil then soaks it in simple green solution for some while then washes it on dawn liquid dish soap , rinses and air dries. Sometimes he said he runs them
Through the dishwasher if his wife is out for awhile.
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El JeffA
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2016
Posts: 353
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Post by El JeffA on May 3, 2020 23:19:14 GMT -5
After the cut, mine go into a 5 gallon bucket starting with a little kitty litter on the bottom, then layer more kitty litter on top of each layer. When the bucket is nearly full, they get rinsed and washed with Dawn and into a bucket of soapy Dawn water to soak. When it gets full, they get another good rinse and air dry...preferably in the sun. Heat does burn off the mineral oil. Dishwasher is the best but I still want to live...I’ve been warned! So when in a hurry, they get scrubbed with Dawn and air dried in the sun or placed in a $5 flea market toaster oven @ 200 degrees for about 20 minutes. Bam! No more oil.
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70karmann
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 190
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Post by 70karmann on May 3, 2020 23:49:51 GMT -5
Oil dri for a day or tw0 then dawn soap to finish.
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rads
spending too much on rocks
Making clay each day!
Member since April 2018
Posts: 319
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Post by rads on May 4, 2020 7:16:28 GMT -5
Kitty litter and then Dawn dish soap here.
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garock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,168
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Post by garock on May 7, 2020 12:26:22 GMT -5
Good info ! I have been a rock slabbing fool with my 10 in ST 10 saw. I put them in kitty liter first. I tried tumbling some and I had a mess of oil on the sides of my bucket. I did not wash them. I know now that I need too ! Thanks for the info !
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sifu
starting to shine!
Member since September 2010
Posts: 35
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Post by sifu on May 29, 2020 19:29:27 GMT -5
I also go: clay cat litter to 5 gallon with Dawn, then to a hot rinse and dry. Then into an old toaster oven on low for a bit. While the cat litter method isn't fast, it seems to work pretty well. I'm usually not in a hurry, however. If I needed slabs faster, I'd have to find another solution.
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Post by Rockoonz on May 30, 2020 1:05:37 GMT -5
Kitty litter until I remember to move them into a bucket with Zep purple industrial degreaser or Castrol royal purple parts cleaner.
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