Replies

1. 
   brewdog | Mar 20, 2006 03:24am | #1

   Hello: I have used several different rust removers and the best by far I have found is "Topsaver" by Empire manufacturing. You spray it on, let it sit for a minute and then rub is with an abrasive pad ( basically a scotch brite pad ). I use an old jointer push block on top of the abrasive pad to rub it in the cast iron top. This makes it a log easier and more effective. You will be amazed how well it works. If the rust is really bad you might have to do it a second or third time. Then you spray a final coat let it dry and buff it with a cloth. The last coat helps keep it rust free for a while. The kit costs about $17-20 at Amazon.com or Woodcraft. The kit comes with an abrasive pad, rust cleaning fluid in a small spray bottle, paper towel and gloves. A little pricey but I have found it is worth it for me.

2. 
   cowtown | Mar 24, 2006 08:40am | #2

   If it's only slightly covered in rust, take a block of hardwood, wrap it in 150 grit sandpaper and literally sand it so that all that is left is discolouration, then do it with 320.

   If it's really caked it rust, you might want to consider using a cheapo chisel to pare off the "chunks" of rust and no doubt gobs of paint before you to to the 150 and then the 320 grit paper.

   Once you get it clean, yer likely still gonna have some discolouration, but that is probably in the metal below the surface, and ain't gonna come out unless you get to surface grinding (not necessary, cause the wood don't care what colour the metal is, as long as it don't leave marks. Antique dealers call that patina.

   A lot of tool surfaces are finished with abrasive finishing, ie sandpaper,(Just look at yer Stanley planes) so if you want to, a finishing sander can be used. After all you'd really have to work extra-diilligently or be particularly clumsy to dig a hole in an iron plate with such a sander.

   Only once you got it clean and smooth do you even think about surface protection.

   worth the effort Mike. Well worth the effort.

   Eric