Thread: Clean new machinery

Originally Posted by shanesmith80

I'm sure it's on here somewhere, I just can't find it.

Got a new jointer/planer sitting In the garage and need to clean all the grease and goop off.
What Do people recommend?
Was just going to use kero then hit the cast iron with some silverglide.
Have also heard Metho,WD40,Citrix cleaner, all sorts of alternatives from US sites.

Cheers
Shane

Perhaps a high pressure water blaster?

Originally Posted by chook

Perhaps a high pressure water blaster?

Perhaps not a good idea as it can blast water into some wrong places.

Kero or turps is probably the best go.

yep, kero is a good one. any solvent type product will do it. Personally, i like acetone because it doesn't seem to leave an oily residue.

Originally Posted by shanesmith80

Got a new jointer/planer sitting In the garage and need to clean all the grease and goop off.
What Do people recommend?

Keep running scrap radiata through it till it picks up all the grease.

White spirit/ dry cleaning fluid is my weapon of choice.

Use one of the other solvents suggested for the bulk, and if you really want to strip off the last bit of grease then Ammonia is the best grease cutter I've used (must wear a P2 mask).

Spray can of engine cleaner works wonders on grimy machinery.

Originally Posted by chook

Perhaps a high pressure water blaster?

Originally Posted by BobL

Perhaps not a good idea as it can blast water into some wrong places.

Kero or turps is probably the best go.

So I shouldn't rush out and buy a new high pressure water blaster?

What ever choice you make from the above test it on the paint first

Originally Posted by China

What ever choice you make from the above test it on the paint first

Hell yeah. Picked up a spray bottle of acetone the other week thinking it was wax and grease remover and made a huge mess of something I was working on.

With Acetone be careful with it on paint as well as some plastics, it has a habit of "melting" it. On a drill press I bought new I cleaned the cast machined surfaces with turps but left the base with the original waxy covering. I reckoned that I would never have need of a clean base and leaving the stuff on keeps any surface rust at bay. A good coat of Sliverglete is a good idea to keep your working surfaces free from rust.

[Water pressure cleaner???Really???] I think not!!!!!

Originally Posted by shanesmith80

So I shouldn't rush out and buy a new high pressure water blaster?

I've done this a few times now.

I just use Mineral Turpentine with a methylated spirits final clean up. You don't need to worry about the paint used on machines reacting with these solvents.

Then I follow up with wax to finish off and prevent rust.

Just wear your favourite t-shirt in the workshop, I've found that's a great way to pick up grease, bleach and oil