Shopsmith Forums

Hello All,

I recently had to move and make some serious changes to my workshop. Size is one of them, so I anticipate the use of my Mark V is going to increase dramatically in the coming months.

If I don't end up moving again... Another story...

ANYWAY, the SS was stored longer than I intended, and a much more humid environment than I thought it would be. So a lot of grime and rust has gotten on it. I'm not too worried about the rust, I've got a recent de-rusting routine down, but what I really need to know is what folks recommend for cleaning all the grime and dust off.

I was considering Simple Green and a lot of paper towels. Use that on my motorcycle in the past for oil removal. Do you all think this would do the trick, or is there something safer/better.

Thanks for the advice.

Milo

I like Simple Green or any of the citrus based degreasers.

I started using denatured alcohol for cleaning all of my equipment, after seeing it recommended in the SS manual. Works great, especially if there is any oil or grease in the grime. Now I keep a spray bottle full of the stuff handy all the time. Be sure to wax the unpainted surfaces after using it.

Once you get it cleaned and de-rusted, make sure to apply some Johnson's Paste Wax or Minwax to the way and bench tubes, main and extension tables and tubes etc and then buff them out with a soft cloth - this will go a long way toward keeping the machine in the desired condition. You'll want to repeat the waxing on a regular basis depending on the conditions where your machine is used and stored - 1-2x a year is probably adequate in most cases.

dgale wrote:... You'll want to repeat the waxing on a regular basis depending on the conditions where your machine is used and stored - 1-2x a year is probably adequate in most cases.

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Frequency of waxing tables and way tubes depends on the amount of usage. If the headstock won't slide as easily as last week, the tubes need to be re-waxed. If wood gets black marks on the side slid across the table, it's time to wax again.

charlese wrote:.

Frequency of waxing tables and way tubes depends on the amount of usage. If the headstock won't slide as easily as last week, the tubes need to be re-waxed. If wood gets black marks on the side slid across the table, it's time to wax again.

I was more thinking of the situation of a machine being stored in less than ideal conditions, rather than being used

dgale wrote:I was more thinking of the situation of a machine being stored in less than ideal conditions, rather than being used

If your going to store it for awhile. It's best to wax it, but don't buff it out.