Black Stuff on Fingers

[HappyHammer]

Don't know if you guys have this problem but I have this black stuff on my fingers that won't wash off. Someone asked me if I'd been working with timber I said yes and they suggested it was caused by sap in the wood.

Someone else then suggested sugar soap to get it off, do you guys get this and what do you use to get it off.

And no it's nothing to do with baths and being a pom.

HH.

[Carry Pine]

You must be working with green timber?
For when i get that or if I've been working with metal I use Locktite brand 'Fast orange'. You rub your hands before washing. ($32 for a 2.5 litre pump pack- will last you forever) Supposed to contain no solvents which are going to ruin your hands in the long run. Claims to use lemon and pumice.

Carry Pine

[IanW]

Someone else then suggested sugar soap to get it off, do you guys get this and what do you use to get it off.
HH.

Yes.
It gradually disappears with normal shedding of the outer layers of your skin - 3-4 days and it should be gone. Sugar soap isn't the kindest thing on your skin, & probably won't remove it. If you want to be heroic - try bleach!

Look on it as the badge of honest labour, H.H... (Not so good if you're in an occupation where grubby-looking hands would give a very poor image. Since I usually don't have to deal with the public, I don't worry too much.)

Cheers,

[Cliff Rogers]

Caused by a reaction between tannin in the timber & metal tools, work harder, it will wear off.

[Cruzi]

Lemon juice gets rid of it, lime & orange work as well.

[HappyHammer]

I've been working with some re-cycled hardwood fence pailings. Someone told me they were yellow gum. I'm pretty sure they were in the fence for 10 plus years so shouldn't be green.

I was putting them over the jointer and through the thicknesser so Cliffs theory sounds right.

I use Lanox on the bed of the jointer when I'm not using it and I thought that might be a contributor. Obvioulsy I wiped the jointer down with a rag before I used it but there is always a tiny bit left.

Not too worried about it being seen and if people ask I can always work the conversation around to my favourite subject.

HH.

[wheelinround]

at least yours will wash off HH my psoriasis on my right thumb and left wrist is giving me hell working with the White Ash not much more to go till finished

Sanding is going to be hell

I am using antibactrial wash and lanolin with Lavander oil mixed to help before and after working with it.

[Wood Borer]

Like Cruzi said, use lemon, I understand the chemical from the timber is an alkali and the acidic lemon juice neutralises it but it can come back after half a day - another dose of lemon juice makes it disappear again quick smart.

Are you sure it is not fingerprint ink?

[kman-oz]

I get this a lot. Citrus based hand cleaner with grit (mechanics hand cleaner, typically used for disolving oils and grease from working on cars), rinse, followed by a Solvol bar and water. Sometime when it's really bad I have to wait a day or so for the rest to wear off.

If it really bugs you and you want to get it off immediately I find that a couple of loads of dishes helps too.

[HappyHammer]

If it really bugs you and you want to get it off immediately I find that a couple of loads of dishes helps too.

Mate, that's what the dish washer's for....

HH.

[KeithP]

I remember when my son was apprentice wood machinist, he would have stained hands from handling European Oak.
Then one of the older guys at his work told him to cut a lemon in half and rub the juice onto his hands.
From then on, no more stained hands.

Pedro

[AlexS]

Mate, that's what the dish washer's for....

HH.

But she doesn't do have black hands.

[kman-oz]

Mmmm... must give the lemon a try, sounds a lot easier.

[Alastair]

Wot Cliff sed!

I get this often working with oak, or willow, or any other timber rich in tannin. Long been said never to use steel screws or nails in oak for this reason

Often worse when turning green timber, particularly when using 'black' P&N tools

regards

[Sawdust Maker]

The fast orange works for me
picked it up from an auto spares shop - has a bit of grit in it
'tis good stuff