Weird stain on Lathe Way

[ddickey]

After clean up I always leave my at the rear of the lathe by the TS. Today I noticed this stain, looks like it probably outlines the oil passage.

 

[darkzero]

Yep, that's usually how the oil grooves are cut on the carriage.

Oddly I don't get stains like that on my lathe bed ways from way oil but I do get em on my mill vise. Comes right off with light scotchbrite work though.

 

[ddickey]

The only thing I did different was try my flood oil. Odd though that I see nothing on the front way.

 

[macardoso]

Looks like the way oil might be reacting with the iron? Or maybe some coolant/water in the oil ways?

 

[benmychree]

Coolant that has degraded will do that.

 

[ddickey]

I don't use coolant though.
Some times I'll use a mister.

 

[Chips O'Toole]

The first time I used Moly-dee on the lathe, I got stains, and after that, I pretty much gave up on having a stain-free lathe.

 

[WalterC]

If I didn't have stains, I would panic.

 

[ddickey]

My other lathe never had any of these stains. Not complaining just odd.