Cleaning up lathes

[Matty BushParticipant @mattybush77211]

Good evening all,

I see some pictures floating around on the forum of some immaculate looking lathes with all metalwork looking bright and shiny, I am aware a lot of this is good care but being the owner of a rather mature myford super 7 that has had many owners i would love to know if there are any tips in bringing the brown patina on the bed and slides back to a bright finish without damaging the lathe.

I understand some people use wire wool but there must be a more gentle method!?

KR,

Matty

[Matty BushParticipant @mattybush77211]

cosmetic care-How do you do it!?

[Curtis RutterParticipant @curtisrutter61973]

I'd be interested to know too as mines not immaculate

[HacksawParticipant @hacksaw]

I've got one of these Model M's , but sllghtly dirtier.. so me too !   This one I could lick 

Edited By Hacksaw on 21/11/2016 23:15:54

[Mike E.Participant @mikee-85511]

I use 3M brand scotch-brite pads. The "red" ones are for metal. They cleaned up and helped to bring back to life a small Atlas lathe. It can be seen in my album titled 1980's workshop.

[Matty BushParticipant @mattybush77211]

Is it wise to use something abrasive on the bed though? Do you use oil aswell?

KR

[john carruthersParticipant @johncarruthers46255]

Traditionally it's 000 wire wool and parafin, but there are better modern equivalents.

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

For slide ways etc with superficial rust and gunge, I've used pot scrubber pads with WD40 to good effect. The white ones (for non-stick pans) are less aggressive than the green ones and presumably kinder than steel wool. For large areas, I have used one of those vibrating sanders with the hook and loop system (like Velcro). The pot scrubbers hook onto it and transmit enough vibration to work effectively. Saves hours of elbow action. Periodically I wipe the resulting muck off with kitchen paper and reapply WD40. Works well without seeming to wear the underlying cast iron.

[Matty BushParticipant @mattybush77211]

Muzzer,

I much prefer the idea of a scrubber pad over wire wool which i imagine will break apart and get everywhere, especially where you don't want it to be!

I am not looking for a concours machine to stare at but it would be nice to have a machine with a bit more shine – I am sure that if you have a good looking machine you are more likely to give it a good clean after every session.

Thank you for the advice!

KR,

Matty

[Mike E.Participant @mikee-85511]

Posted by Matty Bush on 22/11/2016 08:04:41:

Is it wise to use something abrasive on the bed though? Do you use oil aswell?

KR

Not as abrasive as you may think, more of a polishing pad that doesn't eat metal. I used it with automotive solvent, and "Gunk" brand degreaser works a treat for a final clean up.

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