rust stain remediation on my table saw

[Curt Harms]

I see no real difference beyond 240 grit paper in a ros. I have gone as far as 1,000 grit maybe 2,000.
Johnson's paste wax is no longer made so results may vary. I used something that was brown and it made the cast iron look dirty.
Bill D

SWMBO liked the 'crystal clear' bowling alley wax sold by Woodcraft for furniture. It seemed to work okay on cast iron tops as well.

[Bob Jones 5443]

No one’s mentioned white vinegar, so I’d think it’s an urban legend if I hadn’t seen it work under my own hands.

I had to store my machines in a garage open to the outside air in a foggy, cold part of the Bay Area in 2016 for about eight months. When I was able to move them, I was horrified to see the cast iron tables of my Unisaw, drill press, and jointer badly rusted. I could feel the damage as I ran my hands over the affected areas: the bright orange spots were rough, and the rust came off on my skin.

Frantic for a solution, I read something that said vinegar will do the job. So I scoured every surface with Scotch pads and the vinegar, rinsing and wiping frequently. It wasn’t easy, and it took major elbow grease and a lot of faith, but my machines came out rust-free, as they are to this day. A few color spots — vestiges of the oxidation — can be faintly seen today, but everything’s smooth, without surface pitting. I suppose the gear visually aged a bit, but everything’s physically intact. Wood glides over the waxed iron.

White vinegar, who knew?

[Jim Becker]

A mild acid like white vinegar has a lot of uses, Bob. Some of the commercial rust removing products use acids, such as the Boeshield product. (It is the largest ingredient in home made weed killer, too)

[Thomas L Carpenter]

Thanks all. I've decided to go with the purple pad (primarily because that's all I have) and wax. The small rust spots were surface only so the saw top feels nice and smooth and looks like a war zone. Next stop is the jointer.