Lame cleaning - redux

[wbowman]

Okay, I'm sure this has been dealt with many times before, but I don't seem to have a handle on the search function.

When it comes to cleaning a stainless steel lame, I've seen recommendations to use Woolite and others to use ammonia. Is there any consensus on which is better?

And what about proportions.? (I had one recommendation to use half and half water and ammonia. Too much? Too little? Just right?

IS there a commonly-agreed-upon technique, or do equally-qualified people differ?

I think everything I've read recommends making sure it is thoroughly rinsed, so that's not an issue -- just what to use.

[Purple Fencer]

http://homfencing.com/Washing.html

[DHCJr]

Sam's washing instructions are good. A direct answer to two of your questions is both and way way too much. The woolite to clean the salt that may have accumulated which can abrade and the ammonia to counter-act the acids in your body. A cap of ammonia to a gallon of water is the usual ratio.

[wbowman]

Thanks, Purple. I knew I'd seen this on the board before, but couldn't seem to find it.
DHCjr -- is Windex better than straight ammonia, vice-versa, or does it matter?
My goal here is to try to bring back a foil lame that had an area near the armhole which didn't QUITE pass at Nationals. While I realize it might not work, because it could just be broken threads, would I want to use more Woolite and/or ammonia in this case, or stay with the prescribed proportions?

[DHCJr]

I would not go with more. Your body is acidic, but not a whole lot and ammonia while not a strong base it is still stronger than your sweat. As far as the woolite, you said it yourself that every one agreed with. Rinse a lot. More woolite means a lot more rinsing.

Windex is easier to bring with you when you go to a tournament, so in that sense it is better as you can counteract the sweat right away. I would avoid the sudsing variety and when you can rinse it afterwards.

[betty]

While I realize it might not work, because it could just be broken threads,

To avoid those broken threads, when you pack your lame you should try to roll it loosely instead of folding it. A good idea is to roll it around a tshirt or a small towel.
Another idea is to switch to Epee when you are tired of dealing with the lame!

[brtech]

Yeah

The number one way to lengthen the life of a lame is washing per the above directions.

The number 2 way is to avoid bending the metal threads. Hanging is the best. Rolling in a towel is next best. Believe it or not, wadding it up is better than neatly folding. But hang or roll, and your lame will last longer.

[wbowman]

While I realize it might not work, because it could just be broken threads,

Another idea is to switch to Epee when you are tired of dealing with the lame!

(Actually, I AM really an epeeist. Since I also own foil and sabre stuff, however, I feel some compunction to use it now and then. Also a matter of not putting all your eggs in one basket. I did better in foil and sabre at Nationals than I did in epee. Go figure.)

I have a feeling that folding may be the source of the problem. The dodgy area is right about where one of the folds usually goes when I pack it. Most of the time, I keep it hanging up.

[the reluctant fencer]

Here is a trick I used once on a lame.
A friend's lame would not pass inspection at a competition from there being too much corosion present.
I took an old rag and some "Mother's aluminum polish" and wiped the affected area until it came out clean. The lame had some moisture left down in it so it should be left under a light or something for a while to dry up. This was done at a tournament to make it pass a inspection and it worked.

The polish is just an abrasive paste that works for almost any metal.
TRF