Cleaning the gunk off new machines

[The Bear]

I have bought a new pillar drill. The table and base are ground cast iron and covered in grease/gunk to protect them. I need to clean that off before putting something like Liberon lubricating wax on. What is the best way to clean it off?

Thanks in advance


Mark

 

[Rob H]

You can use GUNK or some thing similar its a good degreaser and you get it from most motorist stores and halfords it just washes off with water or some thing like brake cleaner that will dry off instanly once you wipe off the grease and can be got frome the same places

 

[maltrout512]

I use meths more often, but there's de greasing sprays, even oven cleaner. That might contain fine grit which will scratch unhardern surfaces. I,am sure there will be more along with what they use.

 

[OPJ]

White spirit also works well. You definitely want to coat it with something once you've cleaned it up, though.

 

[Philly]

WD40 and a rag works well.
Cheers
Philly

 

[The Bear]

As I have white spirit and WD40 laying around I'll use those, Thanks to everyone who replied

Mark

 

[jpt]

A bit late now but I always use Orange Oil Cleaner it works very well has a nice smell and is not full of nasty chemicals.

john

 

[SeanG]

I've just looked this sort of thimg up on the engineering forums for a metal lathe I've won on the bay.

General advise was white spirit, WD40 was frowned on for moving parts as it would leave a "protective" layer behind that interfered with further lubrication.

I found an old pair of socks and spirit worked well to soak up most of the initial gunge, follwed by a clean tissue with spirit.

I went through almost an entire box of disposable gloves as the white spirit made them brittle and they split easily, better than getting it all over your hands though