On Sat, 4 Feb 2012 07:31:07 -0500, "dadiOH"
wrote:

Chuck Banshee wrote:
What causes this crazy brown crazing on a varnished steel square?
http://www3.picturepush.com/photo/a/...mg/7485181.jpg

What can be done to get rid of it (so that I can read the numbers on
the rule)?

I pulled out this measuring square out of my toolbox and was dismayed
to realize that it was almost impossible to read the markings because
of this haphazard crazy brown "crazing" all over the place.

Can it be fixed?

Technically, it is called "rust".

You can get rid of it by removing the clear coat on the rule and then either
sanding off the rust or removing it chemically.
I had a bit of something called neutra rust a long time ago. It was
watery like solution and I used some on a rusting pipe railing and it
has not rusted in 15 years or more. I ran out of the stuff and now
cannot find where to by more. Anyone have a place to buy it or a
replacement for such?