Is it safe to use naval jelly to brighten lathe ways?

[Nelson]

Hi,

Trying to clean and brighten the lathe ways of my South Bend Heavy 10.

Is Naval Jelly safe to use?

Thanks,


Nelson

 

[Tony Wells]

Naval Jelly contains phosphoric acid to convert rust.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphoric_acid

Supposedly it has little effect on the base metal, so should be safe.

 

[BRIAN]

Naval Jelly remove the rust and leave you with a gray finish where the rust was. the jelly is best removed with water. and then WD 40
to ensure you don't end up with more rust.
Phosphoric cleaners are wonderful for cleaning stainless steel.

Brian.

 

[November X-ray]

here`s a new one on me- waxing your ways??? i saw a reference to this while surfing the net. it was on one of the mini-lathe sites i don`t remember the exact one. supposedly to seal the pores and reduce slip stick??? seems strange. : i don`t plan on doing it.

I've heard of waxing one's naval, but not their ways! ........I have had good success cleaning ways with diesel, a paint brush, a razor scraper and a heavy cotton rag!

 

[rammed]

If your ways are rust free and just dark leave them alone. Navel Jelly will leave some metal with a pinkish color after you use it. I'd just use oil.

 

[Nelson]

It's supposed to be one of the best for rust.

Nelson

 

[Highpower]

Another good rust remover.

Unlike Naval Jelly, this is in liquid form (solvent as opposed to jelly) and great for soaking parts in. I used it when cleaning up my mini-lathe, and like Naval Jelly it also leaves a dull gray finish on iron/steel. I simply put sheets of paper towel on the ways and soaked them with the Evapo-Rust solution. When removing the paper towels any rust stains lifted with them.

 

[nolo]

I used evapo-rust when I restored my 9A. It works as advertised. I bought it a Tractor Supply.

 

[Nelson]

I am going to pick up some Evapo-rust and give it a try. I love the paper towel idea, because it makes cleanup nicer.


Nelson

 

[nolo]

I did use the paper towel trick on the ways. I helps to cover it with plastic wrap to keep it from drying out. Also, I liked using the Shop Towels better than kitchen paper towels since they don't have a pattern to them.