Wizard

[1930]

I would think it would be possible that maybe mine carries this feature but I am going to guess there is no way of cleaning it too find out with damaging

[scottg]

You can take a very small hammer and work the jaws back down if you want.  Mostly anyway.
Persistent tapping will work them back down most of the way. I have done it on other tools lots of times. It will work better and safer if you take them off first.

If I wanted tiger stripes I'd clean first  (the hard part, and be sure to wear gloves so your finger oil doesn't spoil it)
then wax off what I didn't want striped.  I'd use a small brush dipped in molten wax.
  Cold blue will make the stripes.
After you set the blue with cold water, (this is how it works, you apply the solution and then wash back off in a minute or less or it will lighten up and turn gray)
Last, just warm and wipe the wax back off. 
  stripes
  yours Scott

[1930]

You can take a very small hammer and work the jaws back down if you want.  Mostly anyway.
Persistent tapping will work them back down most of the way. I have done it on other tools lots of times. It will work better and safer if you take them off first.

If I wanted tiger stripes I'd clean first  (the hard part, and be sure to wear gloves so your finger oil doesn't spoil it)
then wax off what I didn't want striped.  I'd use a small brush dipped in molten wax.
  Cold blue will make the stripes.
After you set the blue with cold water, (this is how it works, you apply the solution and then wash back off in a minute or less or it will lighten up and turn gray)
Last, just warm and wipe the wax back off. 
  stripes
  yours Scott

Thats a good idea on getting rid ( somewhat ) of the damage to the jaws, thanks

So how about cleaning/maintaining the issue areas of the wrench, any suggestions

[EVILDR235]

Darn, I thought it was a post about Western Auto branded tools.
EvilDr235

[Aunt Phil]

Polysorbate 40 or soy Diesel fuel if you can get it will clean the item without disturbing the striping.

Soy is a wonderful bean, it gives us many products that are CHEAP.

Far as the striping goes, I don't think it's case hardening, I think it's scale left after the striking that wasn't cleaned off or buffed away. 

[Bus]

I have read that the striped effect on the Wizard and Shark wrenches comes from a hardening process using cyanide

[1930]

Polysorbate 40 or soy Diesel fuel if you can get it will clean the item without disturbing the striping.

Soy is a wonderful bean, it gives us many products that are CHEAP.

Far as the striping goes, I don't think it's case hardening, I think it's scale left after the striking that wasn't cleaned off or buffed away.

About the only store left in my area is Wal-Mart but I am sure I have seen this on the shelf right next to the peanut butter.

[1930]

I have read that the striped effect on the Wizard and Shark wrenches comes from a hardening process using cyanide

I have also read this, may of been a post on this site

[Branson]

I have read that the striped effect on the Wizard and Shark wrenches comes from a hardening process using cyanide

The whole point of case hardening is to introduce enough carbon into the surface of the object to make that surface steel.  That means organic material. Look at all the old Colt revolvers, all the old Sharps rifles and carbine receivers; that's what has been done to them.  Cyanide by itself isn't going to do this. 

Maybe cyanide will make the colors, but unless there is a source for carbon, the results will only be  cosmetic.

[rusty]

Cyanide is a carbon atom bonded to a nitrogen atom, it decomposes at high temperatures....