My lame turned green

[3inone]

After one summer of having my lame tucked away, I found two large GREEN spots, how do I get rid of it and will it work again??

[whtouche]

Well, first off what type of lame`is it? Stainless steele, or copper thread(blue gauntlet, etc).

Discoloration alone doesn't mean the conductivity is lost, but it is sometimes an idicator. Best thing to do is to test it, and if it works Ok. If not, try washing it then test it again.

How exactly did you have it stored?

[40Saberthieves]

Seems to me thats its a copper lame, and that green is rust.

[xcr]

It sounds like oxidisation (sp?) on copper to me. If I remember corectly copper oxide does conduct, but im not sure. If imright about that than it should still work

[Capt. Slo-mo]

Originally posted by xcr
It sounds like oxidisation (sp?) on copper to me. If I remember corectly copper oxide does conduct

It just won't conduct very well. You really have to stay on top of the copper thread lames, because allowing the green corrosion areas to form often signals the end of the lame.

That means hanging them to dry after practice (no folds) and more frequent, careful washings than a stainless steel lame.

If the green spots are large, you need to get it tested before then next meet that checks equipment...or you may be in for a bit of unhappiness.

[neevel]

The key thing is to ensure that the cupric oxide doesn't build up on the metal strands themselves-- that's what will degrade the conductivity. For starters, tucking the lame away isn't a good idea. You want to store it on a hanger where it can thoroughly dry. Next comes the stock advise of periodic hand-washings using Woolite or Ivory Snow and a bit of ammonia, followed by drip-drying. This'll clean off the sweat salts that build up and encourage corrosion.

The backing fabric, once it picks up the green stains, is pretty much green for good. So long as the copper strands woven into that fabric are fine, the lame is still good.

-Dave

[CarlKnoch]

So what is the best product to handwash a copper thread lame with? I've heard Woolite, and I've also heard lemon huice, but what's the best things for it?

(I've also heard about spraying it with windex after washing to get some conductivity back to it.)
C

[neevel]

Woolite or Ivory Snow (I use Ivory, others Woolite) as a mild detergent/soap. A bit of ammonia in the water to assist in dissolving sweat salts.

Windex can work as a quick-fix because it has ammonia in it. However, it can also "work" because it wets the lame, which can artificially lower the resistance if the person testing doesn't remember to allow the lame to dry completely before re-testing.


-Dave

[DHCJr]

Originally posted by CarlKnoch
So what is the best product to handwash a copper thread lame with? I've heard Woolite, and I've also heard lemon huice, but what's the best things for it?

(I've also heard about spraying it with windex after washing to get some conductivity back to it.)
C

As Dave so well, mild soap and ammonia. Windex will work as a stop gap, but it can leave a residue if you do it to often, so rinse eventually.

As for lemon juice, it was used in cleaning the target area, oh around 70 years ago. It was used when there was only non-electric fencing. It is not good for modern fencing equipment. Lemon Juice is an acid. The reason for the ammonia is to counteract the acids in your body. Ammonia is a base. You don't need to add more acids, which tends to corrode metal.

So no lemon juice.