On Sun, 17 Sep 2006 22:04:35 -0700, "Bob Meyer"
wrote:


wrote in message
roups.com...

Phisherman wrote:
I bought a box of finish nails (from the BORG) last week to install
some light-painted crown molding. The nails are labeled "bright" but
are not shiny like they used to be. They are covered with grease or
graphite or something that gives them a dull gray color. The nails
are turning my fingers black and leaves marks on the molding/walls. I
end up washing my hands with Lava soap and cleaning the walls/molding
every two hours. Anyone know about this stuff? I believe it is a
coating to prevent rust but I'm not sure. Finish nails used to be
clean.

Probably its similar to the yucky black stuff on black iron pipe,
leftover lubricant from the manufacturing process.

You've probably seen the cement used on sinkers, it isn't that,
is it.

--

FF

Had the same experience. Dirty hands, and worse, dirty molding. Laid the
nails on a paper towel, poured on a little paint thinner. Rubbed
with another towel. Cleaned them up fine.

Bob


Thanks Bob. I rinsed 5 pounds of nails three times in paint thinner,
dumped them into a bucket of sawdust, then retrieved the nails with a
giant magnet. Now my finish nails and painted molding are clean.
After 30 years of woodworking this is a first washing finishing nails.
Learn something new everyday.