How can I remove this rust from my jointer top?

[BlackdogGS]

I have a spot of rust on my jointer surface. I plane on sanding it off but I’m not sure what grit to start and end with. Any ideas?

 

[Shiftless]

Personally, I would try steel wool first.
Don’t start with coarse sandpaper. If you don’t have steel wool laying around go with fine grit like 400 and it that doesn’t take it off try 220. Are you going for a near mirror finish on the whole thing?
I use paste wax on my cast iron top table saw. That seems to retard rusting pretty well for me. There are some woodworking projects where you DON’T want any trace of wax on your work.

edit: Another idea is to use a scotchbrite pad. I like the white ones but the green ones are more aggressive. It all depends on how particular you are about how your jointer table looks.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

3M makes a red paint/varnish removing disk that is about 4 to 4.5 inches in diameter and is made from a coarser scotchbrite material. I use these in an angle die grinder to remove rust.

 

[manwithtools]

3M makes a red paint/varnish removing disk that is about 4 to 4.5 inches in diameter and is made from a coarser scotchbrite material. I use these in an angle die grinder to remove rust.

NO, don't do this on a jointer surface! It's way too aggressive.

OP, one of the best methods for your circumstance is an orbital sander with progressively finer grits from 320 - 600 wet/dry disks. Also, if the sander has an hook and loop attachment for the pad, you can use a piece of red Scotch Brite. Either method will work better with a little WD40 applied.

 

[PWC Repair]

Yep, penetrating lube and steel wool. That's what I use on my mill table.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

NO, don't do this on a jointer surface! It's way too aggressive.

OP, one of the best methods for your circumstance is an orbital sander with progressively finer grits from 320 - 600 wet/dry disks. Also, if the sander has an hook and loop attachment for the pad, you can use a piece of red Scotch Brite. Either method will work better with a little WD40 applied.

? Where are you coming from? You say do not use red scotchbrite and then turn around and recommend red scotchbrite? Did you perhaps ignore the fact that I said "red" and assume I was referring to the way too aggressive black paint/varnish removers? I have used the red on all types of tools including tablesaw and drill press table with great success.

 

[manwithtools]

? Where are you coming from? You say do not use red scotchbrite and then turn around and recommend red scotchbrite? Did you perhaps ignore the fact that I said "red" and assume I was referring to the way too aggressive black paint/varnish removers? I have used the red on all types of tools including tablesaw and drill press table with great success.

Big difference in a rotary disk for use in a drill and the the random orbit and slower speed of a sander. The stripping disk can potentially create a non-flat surface. Too easy for an inexperienced user to create problems. The random orbit sander works well and prevents issues that could otherwise occur.

 

[Jgaz]

I would start with steel wool as suggested above.
if you want/need something more aggressive check out
Klingspor Rust Erasers

 

[whateg01]

What about building a dam and soaking it with evaporust?

 

[floyd]

How about soaking a washcloth in evap-o-rust, laying it over the rusted area, and then covering it with plastic (to keep it wet longer)? A couple 24-hour treatments will probably be pretty effective.

 

[gamescastspencer]

Fresh Razor blade to scrape most of the rust off, then maroon scotch brite. Clean with solvent of some kind, then apply and buff a thin coat of paste wax or a specialized product like Glide cote or Dyna glide.

 

[Sumboodie]

How about soaking a washcloth in evap-o-rust, laying it over the rusted area, and then covering it with plastic (to keep it wet longer)? A couple 24-hour treatments will probably be pretty effective.

There's a gel version, it work ok?

 

[jar944]

Razor, followed by 220g on a r/o

 

[tool_scrounge]

Fresh Razor blade to scrape most of the rust off, then maroon scotch brite. Clean with solvent of some kind, then apply and buff a thin coat of paste wax or a specialized product like Glide cote or Dyna glide.

I use a NEW razor blade with very thin oil to start. Used razor blades can have small nicks and scratch the surface.

 

[floyd]

I have no experience with the gel version of evaporust but a quick search pointed out a different chemical composition between the two. The gel sounds like it is more caustic, with a phosphoric acid component.

 

[Aaron_W]

Really fine steel wool 0000 or 000 and WD40 works well.

 

[BigMike782]

Fresh Razor blade to scrape most of the rust off, then maroon scotch brite. Clean with solvent of some kind, then apply and buff a thin coat of paste wax or a specialized product like Glide cote or Dyna glide.

An old printers trick is to burnish/ease the front corners on a VERY fine sharpening stone to keep the sharp points from digging in.
I NEVER use any type of abrasive on a machined cast iron surface.
Afterwards I wax it and have had good luck over the last 35 years.