Replies

1. 
   Heuglin | Aug 26, 2005 04:38pm | #1

   When I got a delta Unisaw, they suggested WD-40. Used it and it worked great. good luck

2. 
   JohnWW | Aug 26, 2005 05:06pm | #2

   Don't use lacquer thinner, it may also remove any paint and labels.  The standard solvent for this in my shop is naptha, it evaporates quickly once the piece is wiped off and doesn't leave a residue.  I also like it because it dissolves the adhesive on gum labels.

   John W.

1. 
   dimitri | Aug 26, 2005 05:12pm | #4

   Thanks! I'll pick up some naptha and use that.

   Dimitri

2. 
   Kevin | Aug 26, 2005 05:42pm | #5

   Naptha is widely used to remove adhesives, including at automotive body shops. It works very well for that. Mineral Spirits (aka: Paint Thinner) is in the Naptha family and does work. But, not nearly as quickly and it doesn't attack adhesives nearly as aggressively... although it does work in a pinch. Hexane is the hottest member of the Naptha family (it flashes slightly faster than DN Alcohol, just to give a comparison). Too hot for practical degreasing. But, it's the best Naptha for removing adhesives from highly sensative substraits. I once watched a graphics pro remove some solvent-based laminate adhesive off of a giant photographic banner and it came off perfectly clean without damaging the graphic at all. I don't believe there is another solvent out there which could do that as effectively. But... Hexane can't be used with Acetone. The mixture will create extremely toxic fumes.

1. 
   dimitri | Aug 26, 2005 06:20pm | #6

   But was it the best for removing grease from  new tools? There are no labels or adhesives on these tools to be removed.

   Dimitri

1. 
   Kevin | Aug 26, 2005 10:49pm | #11

   Sorry, Dimitri. Didn't mean to highjack the thread.

   Ditto John's suggestion of Naptha.

   In addition to being used widely for removing adhesives, Naptha blends are used virtually exclusively in the automotive refinish market for removing wax and grease. So, it should be ideal for your needs.

   Diesel and Kerosene will work. Both pretty effectively cut grease. But, they will leave residual grease behind. Which may not be such a bad thing on steel tools.

2. 
   JohnWW | Aug 26, 2005 07:14pm | #9

   Thanks for the additional info, I've printed it out for future reference.

   John W.

3. 
   jackplane | Aug 26, 2005 05:12pm | #3

   Lacquer thinner,paint thinner, kerosene or gasoline. They all work. Lacquer thinner is more of a "hot" solvent than you need for this application.

    

4. 
   WillGeorge | Aug 26, 2005 06:27pm | #7

   If it is all metal you can use almost ant solvent.. If there is wood.. I'd get me a bunch of rags and start wiping till I got tired...

5. 
   CharlieStanford | Aug 26, 2005 06:38pm | #8

   Fantastic or Formula 409 and paper towels.  Wax the unpainted cast iron when you're done.

   Denatured alcohol seems to work too and it evaporates very fast.

    

6. 
   HowardAcheson | Aug 26, 2005 07:26pm | #10

   The traditional chemical used to remove cosmoline was/is kerosene. Kerosene will rapidly cut the grease and leaves a light film of oil on the surface. This light film will prevent rusting.

   You can use mineral spirits which is one step higher in the petroleum distallation process. It will also quickly cut the grease but leaves no protective film. Nahptha will also work.

   WD40 is virtually the same as mineral spirits and will work too. But, it is the high priced solution. For something like a plane though it may be a better deal if you don't have one of the above chemicals.

   Howie.........
7. 
   Steve50 | Aug 27, 2005 03:38am | #12

   I have used a citric cleaner such as Orange Blast to clean machines and it works pretty well.