Rust removal/prevention on TS

[mac davis]

HELP!

When I bought my TS a few months ago, I removed all the grease from the iron surfaces as specified in the manual and put 2 coats of Johnson wax on..

That's worked for years on all my tools when we were in Calif., but I guess the humidity in Baja is a lot different, because the table rusted right through the wax...

I removed it with fine steel wool (artificial plastic stuff) and mineral spirits, followed my 2 more coats of wax but I'm wondering if anyone uses something better?

We're going into a couple of real humid months here and cleaning the rust off once a week is gonna be a major bummer... any advice appreciated...

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

[dadiOH]

I doubt that humidity is the problem, not all that humid in Baja anyway, about like Alta California...not even close to that of Honolulu or Veracruz where I used to live or central Florida where I live now. Do you live near the beach? If so, salt spray is the culprit.

[NoOne N Particular]

Just move it outside during the day. Probably hot enough to boil ANYthing off of it. :-)

Wayne

[Edwin Pawlowski]

To prevent rust,the best I've use ate Top Cote and Boeshield T-9. Both work well.

For removing rust and some protection, Top Saver is fantastic. Spray it on, wipe it off. I was amazed at how well it worked. All of these are available from your favorite suppliers, like Lee Valley.

[Frank Boettcher]

My chance to, once again, endorse Empire Manufacturings products including Top Saver, and Top Cote.

When a number of my machines where submerged during Katrina and sat there for two weeks before I could get to them, I called the people from Empire for advice. On there own and without my asking, they sent me a "care package" at no charge, a box of their various products to help with my recovery effort.

The people are nice and the product works well.

Frank

[Leon]

Once again, buy the stuff that is make to prevent rust and slick up the top at the same time.

TopCote and or the Empire products.

Wax is not a good protestant against moisture on wood, it is no different on iron.

In almost 30 years of cast iron tops and having tried almost every thing I always go back to TopCote and or the Empire products in Humid Houston.

[Leon]

;~) Do you remember far back enough when Empire owned TopCote?

[Larry Blanchard]

Must be Catholic :-).

I live in an area of relatively low humidity in summer and high in winter. When I first set up my workshop 20 or so years ago, I used Trewax floor wax on all the cast iron. The first year or so I had to rewax about every month, especially in the wet season. Over time, that diminished to about once a quarter and, for the last several years, once or twice a year.

Unless I set green wood on the iron - yes, I've done that :-).

So my opinion is that over time wax fills the pores of the cast iron and does prevent rust quite well.

[dpb]

Similar experience (over 30+ years) -- it's far the cheapest/simplest and an actually somewhat pleasant chore occasionally imo...

[B A R R Y]

Outstanding!

A bunch of our local technicians went down to help Bell South clean up and sent photos and video back. It was unreal! I also recently saw the "Dirty Jobs" episode with the post-Katrina house gutters.

We like to think that in modern times we're not susceptible to this stuff, but Mother Nature always wins. After 9/11 and Katrina, I'm still blown away by the adaptability and toughness of humans.

Katrina also made me realize just how underappreciated the US Coast Guard is.

---------------------------------------------

** **

---------------------------------------------

[Frank Boettcher]

I stand corrected, Top Saver and Table Top Lubricant. Despite my misquote they are still nice people and the products do work well, and after the way they treated my I love to endorse, (no matter how inaccurately) their products. :~)

Frank

[Leon]

Heck Frank, I was not trying to correct you. ;~) TopCote was originally made by the people that make Empire products, back in the 80's.

I use both brand products.

[Frank Boettcher]

I didn't know that.

[mac davis]

hmm... yesterday, the temp was 95 with 63% humidity... for me, that's humid... lol

The beach is 3 miles away, so I don't think that's a factor....

For the last week, the truck windows are wet in the morning and the desert foliage is getting green... and unfortunately, my TS is turning red... *g*

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

[mac davis]

Good point, Wayne.. I should have mentioned that it lives in a covered RV carport...

It gets morning sun and a nice breeze, so I really didn't expect rust..

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

[mac davis]

Thanks, Ed... I saw the top cote, didn't see top saver..

I'll have to see if any of my friends in the States are coming down soon.. as I remember, those are aerosol products, right? (can't be sent air, which means no US Mail)

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

[mac davis]

THAT'S where I heard of them, from your posts at the time, Frank..

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

[mac davis]

Thanks, Leon... and I won't be a smart ass about your spelling...

Real OT: Since you mention Houston, Have you ever been to Arne's party supply on Hicks St.? I've been doing his web page for years but haven't been there , but it's supposed to be HUGE...

Please remove splinters before emailing

[dpb]

Oh, it definitely _is_ a factor at that distance...I think it actually is both and if you're in a season w/ prevailing onshore winds, it'll make a big difference as opposed to offshore.

...

[dpb]

As above, if that breeze is onshore, it's damp and probably condensing even w/ the covered roof. Might try one of the semi-permeable covers and see if it helps.

--