Why are cheap chinese metal goods sometimes have a 'greasy' feeling?

[Leros]

Is it possible to clean off on your own?

No idea what the proper method is. I would use a paper towel to try and remove as much as possible. Then I'd use rubbing alcohol (or dish soap if I had nothing else) to remove the rest.

 

[Squisher]

I don't believe it a remnant from manufacturing. Most modern machining and stamping operations use some form of soluble oil. This cools, lubes, and allows for easy automated cleaning. I'm pretty sure it's a preservative. I've got a can of die saver somewhere around here if I could find it, oily and sticky.

We usually used methanol (RV antifreeze) to clean it off.

 

[0roo0roo]

my guess is machining oil as well.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

it's machining afterbirth. if they couldn't be bothered to clean it, i have reservations about the quality of the rest of it.

 

[0roo0roo]

be more worried about the rubber/plastics on cheap chinese goods..thats where the lead is
i've looked at some of those cheap chinese flashlight deals in the past. its cheap but what good is it if you think twice about touching it

 

[amddude]

If it's machining oil should I wipe it off? If I handle the flashlight a lot will I get hand cancer?

 

[dighn]

If it's machining oil should I wipe it off? If I handle the flashlight a lot will I get hand cancer?

well it's cheap crap from china, where they don't even care about food safety. you be the judge.

 

[PottedMeat]

shitty cosmoline?

 

[Ika]

be more worried about the rubber/plastics on cheap chinese goods..thats where the lead is
i've looked at some of those cheap chinese flashlight deals in the past. its cheap but what good is it if you think twice about touching it

my DX flashlight has served me extremely well over the past two years. I should probably buy another just in case it borks one day, but there's no real sign of that happening just yet.