Cleaning the bench and way tubes

[GeorgeM]

Hi All

I noticed that the bench and way tubes had a little bit of rust on them so I tried some 600 grit wet/dry paper on a small area of the bench tubes. After that I used some crocus cloth I had on hand to polish that area and it seems to have worked as the small area I worked on is clean, shiny and extremely smooth. I'd like to get some opinions on this before I do the complete set of bench and way tubes.

If this is not a good way to go, what about using rubbing compound and then polishing compound?

Thanks
GeorgeM

[jsburger]

Hi All

I noticed that the bench and way tubes had a little bit of rust on them so I tried some 600 grit wet/dry paper on a small area of the bench tubes. After that I used some crocus cloth I had on hand to polish that area and it seems to have worked as the small area I worked on is clean, shiny and extremely smooth. I'd like to get some opinions on this before I do the complete set of bench and way tubes.

If this is not a good way to go, what about using rubbing compound and then polishing compound?

Thanks
GeorgeM

If the tubes you want to polish are from the only SS you own then my method won't work.

However, I chuck them up in a SS in lathe mode and first clean them with mineral spirits . Then progress through the grits of wet/dry paper starting at 220 or 320 depending on how bad they are up through 600 grit and then #0000 steel wool and then paste floor wax. Depending on how badly pitted they are you won't get them show room shiny but they will be perfectly smooth and functional.

[GeorgeM]

Hi All

I noticed that the bench and way tubes had a little bit of rust on them so I tried some 600 grit wet/dry paper on a small area of the bench tubes. After that I used some crocus cloth I had on hand to polish that area and it seems to have worked as the small area I worked on is clean, shiny and extremely smooth. I'd like to get some opinions on this before I do the complete set of bench and way tubes.

If this is not a good way to go, what about using rubbing compound and then polishing compound?

Thanks
GeorgeM

If the tubes you want to polish are from the only SS you own then my method won't work.

However, I chuck them up in a SS in lathe mode and first clean them with mineral spirits . Then progress through the grits of wet/dry paper starting at 220 or 320 depending on how bad they are up through 600 grit and then #0000 steel wool and then paste floor wax. Depending on how badly pitted they are you won't get them show room shiny but they will be perfectly smooth and functional.

Hi

Thanks, you've relieved my mind by showing me that using 600 grit wet/dry and then crocus cloth will not harm the tubes.

However now you have given me another question to ask. How do you add the attached pictures?

Thanks again,
GeorgeM

[jsburger]

Hi All

I noticed that the bench and way tubes had a little bit of rust on them so I tried some 600 grit wet/dry paper on a small area of the bench tubes. After that I used some crocus cloth I had on hand to polish that area and it seems to have worked as the small area I worked on is clean, shiny and extremely smooth. I'd like to get some opinions on this before I do the complete set of bench and way tubes.

If this is not a good way to go, what about using rubbing compound and then polishing compound?

Thanks
GeorgeM

If the tubes you want to polish are from the only SS you own then my method won't work.

However, I chuck them up in a SS in lathe mode and first clean them with mineral spirits . Then progress through the grits of wet/dry paper starting at 220 or 320 depending on how bad they are up through 600 grit and then #0000 steel wool and then paste floor wax. Depending on how badly pitted they are you won't get them show room shiny but they will be perfectly smooth and functional.

Hi

Thanks, you've relieved my mind by showing me that using 600 grit wet/dry and then crocus cloth will not harm the tubes.

However now you have given me another question to ask. How do you add the attached pictures?

Thanks again,
GeorgeM

What is the grit of the crocus clothe? Once you get to 600 grit don't use anything couser. #0000 steel wool is much finer than 600 gret wet/dry.

OK, all files (picture or not) have to be less than 2MB in size. Pictures must be less than a certain pixel (xx X xx) but I don't remember the size. I use MS Office Picture Viewer to resize the pictures to 1025 X 768. Then look at the bottom of your message/reply and click on "Upload attachment". It will bring up a few more lines on the page ( you might have to scroll down to see it) with a browse button. Just click the Browse button and select the picture you want to upload and click the add button.

[GeorgeM]

What is the grit of the crocus clothe? Once you get to 600 grit don't use anything couser. #0000 steel wool is much finer than 600 gret wet/dry.

OK, all files (picture or not) have to be less than 2MB in size. Pictures must be less than a certain pixel (xx X xx) but I don't remember the size. I use MS Office Picture Viewer to resize the pictures to 1025 X 768. Then look at the bottom of your message/reply and click on "Upload attachment". It will bring up a few more lines on the page ( you might have to scroll down to see it) with a browse button. Just click the Browse button and select the picture you want to upload and click the add button.[/quote]

Hi

Well, now how easy is that -- I swear that they just added that button -- it wasn't there before -- that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

The crocus cloth I have is either 1200 or 2400 grit -- that's why I get such a great shine. It's like jeweler's rouge and it seems to remove most of the minor scratches that the 600 grit leaves. I wish I could use the lathe as you did -- how neat of an idea. The mineral spirits is also a great idea!

GeorgeM

[JPG]

It has been known to be done with a rubber 'freeze plug', an electric drill and a pair of rollers. Securing the drill is 'important'.