oak stained ways, how to clean?

[Ron Oastler]

I was rough turning the outside of an 18" piece of oak and then cored it out and when I started to clean up noticed that the ways of the lathe were quite stained by the wet oak, is there a good method to clean them or do I just sand clean and then put on some wax etc on the ways
Ron (nice new pm3520b is being broken in)

[Dan Oliphant]

Ron,
Spray WD40 on the affected area, scrub with a scotch bright pad or steel wool until the stain is removed. Wipe off all the WD40 until dry, spray lightly again and wipe off. All should be good.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Ron I had some walnut stain mine and I used WD40 with a synthetic pad. It came clean. Don't know about oak but may work. Then I waxed the ways with Johnsons Turtle wax.

[Matt Hutchinson]

I have never tried it, but I have heard that malt vinegar instantly removes surface rust. I don't know what you mean by staining (black?), but this "home remedy" may be an easy solution.

Hutch

[Dennis Puskar]

Like Bernie and Dan said use WD40. I use it before and after.

Dennis

[curtis rosche]

if it doesnt come off and it starts to rust, i guess you'll just have to use your lathe more so the tailstock and toolrest dont rust ino place

[Jim Becker]

It's called "patina"...

[Wayne Cannon]

I suspect this is the same black stain you get on oak, cedar, etc., from the reaction between the wood's tannic acid and the iron in fasteners. Oxalic acid is commonly recommended to remove the black stain from wood (my Ace Hardware carries it). Oxalic acid is also recommended for removing rust stains from things. I wonder if it would be suitable for removing the black stain from your iron ways.

[Ron Oastler]

thanks for the advice and help, I used the wd40 and some steelwool and it worked great, looks like new but that won't last, this machine is great (pm3520b) the bowls seem to come out better each time

Ron (the happy turner)

[Glenn Hodges]

Ocasionally I use a 5 inch grinding disc and then spray with WD40 (my grandpa didn't used to own the co.)

[Dick Strauss]

Ron,
Some folks wrap the bed with cardboard in your situation...others just plan to clean the bed after the project.

[Frank Drew]

I'm with Jim Becker; don't let the wet oak shavings stay on your lathe bed long enough to cause serious rust, but some signs of use ("patina") are probably inevitable.

I once bought a new pickup truck (1973 F-100, $2650 new!!); a friend told me I should just go ahead and give one of the sidewalls of the bed a good whack with a piece of firewood so that I could get over that worry.