How to Remove Rust From Precision Surfaces
- 1). Coat the rusty surface in a layer of clean machine oil. Spread the oil thickly over the surface with the paintbrush.
- 2). Allow the oil to soak into the surface for 12 hours. Add more oil if the rusted surface dries out. The overall goal is to soak the afflicted area with as much oil as possible. Ideally the oil should be standing on the rust surface for a 24-hour period.
- 3). Dip 00 steel wool into the machine oil. Work the steel oil across the metal to remove the surface rust. If the area dries out while buffing, add more machine oil.
- 4). Wipe the surface clean with a rag. Oil the surface again. Re-wipe with a clean rag. The majority of the surface rust should now be removed.
- 5). Add machine oil to the surface and another piece of steel wool. Buff the precision surface in long horizontal strokes. Clean with the rag and add more oil.
- 6). Allow the surface to sit for two-days after cleaning and buffing with the steel wool. Add oil to the surface if it dries out. The goal is to soak the precision surface with the machine oil so it can work into the metal.
- 7). Wipe the surface with a clean rag. Coat the surface with a high quality paste wax if the surface does not mate with another---in other words, if the precision surface is a drill press top, mill table or other exposed surface. The paste wax inhibits the migration of oxygen into the oil-treated metal.
