Non-Chemical Just a suggestion

[Eaheisler]

Hey guys,

I've been buying a ton of watch band lots. They usually sell for .20.25 a gram. Now we all know that they are nasty inside filled with grime and muck from god knows how long it's been in service. So what I've been doing is #1 wash with hot water in a colander, #2 give them a soak in washing detergent 20-30 min and rinse again , #3 give them a bath in alcohol, than finally a prolonged soak in hydrogen peroxide until you're ready to process them. I don't know how much these steps effect your end product but, I know that when I weigh the final product I've been loosing 5% weight that's that much less acid you need to use.

 

[Eaheisler]

What I've been using is 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol and regular hydrogen peroxide. The alcohol turns a dark translucent color and the hydrogen peroxide turns a milky murky color with bubbles forming as long as I've had them in there (up to 36 hours).

 

[samuel-a]

Why not burn it instead?

 

[Eaheisler]

From what I understand the object is to get every step as clean as possible before proceeding to the next step. Between the alcohol and Hydrogen Peroxide these watch caps come out without any black or crusty gunk.