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

[AR1911]

The only chemical I'd use on a precision machined part is EvapoRust.

 

[Highpower]

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.

Those are good points nolo. I did not use the plastic wrap, and yes if you leave it on too long it will dry out. If it does dry, just brush on a little more E-R to wet things up again, and the towels will come right off.
Also correct about the paper towels leaving a bit of a pattern. Almost like hand scraping. (lol!) Since I wanted to brighten up the ways on my lathe a bit anyway, I applied a kitchen scotch-brite pad and some elbow grease to shine them up again. An abrasive type scotch-brite pad would have been too much IMO. I'm very happy with the results I got.

 

[Nelson]

These are great tips. I cannot wait to get some Evapo-Rust and try them.

Thanks all.

Nelson

 

[george wilson]

Naval jelly just leaves a flat,dead looking surface. Certainly won't do anything to brighten the ways.
Naval jelly has been down graded from what it used to be. Isn't nearly as strong or effective as it used to be.

 

[Nelson]

I drug home a surface grinder whose ways were a sludge of oil and rust. Naval Jelly converts the rust to iron, and deposits it... where? So I tossed that idea out.

What worked great was a bit of washing soda, a terrycloth rag, short length of angle iron, and a battery charger. Sucked away all the rust and put it in the rag, cleaned the ways right down to the scraping marks.

Blue,

I know there is a site that goes through the process in-depth, but the next time you do this, could you take a pic of the process, along with the use of the rag to suck up the rust?

With my luck, I am afraid I would set the rag on fire. :nerd:

Nelson

 

[Nelson]

Naval jelly just leaves a flat,dead looking surface. Certainly won't do anything to brighten the ways.
Naval jelly has been down graded from what it used to be. Isn't nearly as strong or effective as it used to be.

George,

What would be your preference for cleaning rust and other stains on the ways?

Thanks,

Nelson

 

[george wilson]

Probably a gentle cleaning using Scotch Brite pads. You will want to carefully clean the ways of any possible remaining abrasive afterwards. You'll never remove an appreciable amount of metal from the ways. Use the gray ones. They are very fine.

 

[Nelson]

Two stupid questions:

If you cover the ways with the rag, but hook one electrode to the ways, won't that spot where the electrode is remain dirty?

Second, a safety issue, how do you handle the electrodes with water or the moist rag and keep from getting shocked, or shorting the electrodes against each other?

I don't have a charger and never used one before.

Thanks.

Nelson

 

[george wilson]

That is for removing rust electrolytically. But,will it leave the ways bright,or gray and dull? I think the simplest thing to do is just use gray Scotch Brite. You'll never take enough metal off to worry about.

 

[Tony Wells]

Low voltage, Nelson.....you'd never feel it. Well, I never have, but I have thick skin. I wouldn't worry about that.

Some say hook up a battery as though you were charging it, parallel with the rust work. Better on the charger.