Ask WWGOA: Removing Rust from Cast Iron

Ask WWGOA banner

Question:

How do you remove rust from a cast iron surface?

Submitted by William M.

Answer:

I wet sand the surface using WD 40, JB 80 or other rust remover as a lubricant and 400-grit wet/dry sandpaper wrapped on a block of wood as an abrasive. If there’s LOTS of rust and the removal is painfully slow you can also use a more aggressive Scotch Brite pad. I stick with hand sanding and elbow grease. This process will remove surface rust pretty quickly. Once the sanding is done, remove the residue with mineral spirits. Prevent future rust by sealing the top with wax or a similar tool-specific sealer.

Check out this video that covers the topic: Cleaning a Rusty Table

George


Do you have a question for WWGOA? Ask us on Facebook or email editor@wwgoa.com. Note: questions may be edited for clarity and relevance.

Share tips, start a discussion or ask one of our experts or other students a question.

Make a comment:
characters remaining

6 Responses to “Ask WWGOA: Removing Rust from Cast Iron”

  1. Andre Marcil

    I removed some rust on a planer bench using coke (Yes the soft drink) and it worked perfectly. Give it a trial.

  2. mikevpgood

    Thank you for all the great advice. I recently bought a new Rigid hybrid table saw. In just two days after setup, the top showed rust. I cleaned it and applied paste wax. No more rust in a couple of weeks. However, I'm left wondering about the rest of the cast iron such as the sides and bottom? Also, if the top showed rust so quickly after taking it out of the box, should I worry or is this completely normal?

  3. Anjali

    How best to remove crust from a crusty (burnt oil) iron frypan and wok? I wanted to use a steel wire drill attachment to sand it of but feared I may ruin the flat surface. Gouges & depression would be worse as more oil & wood will burn in them.

  4. Lester

    I purchased a new table saw and want to clean and lubricate the cast iron top. What are your recommendations? I would also like to know the name of the dry lubricant that you use.

  5. James

    Since we are addressing questions not pertaining to the blog theme I also have a question/request. Purchased the multiple DVD set including Woodworking shops and tricks. Frustrating for a beginner that some of the discs have attached PDF with spec but one that has great shop ideas does not. In the disc 'Shop solutions' George clues together the feed cabinet plywood using shop made box type holders. Any chance of finding specs for making that? Really would live to add that to my shop. Thanks.

  6. john

    hi well i know this is not the right place to put my question but i have looked all over your sight to try and ask you a question so i guess i will try here.I am new to scroll sawing and waiting for my first scroll saw.I am going to buy it from sears craftsman is that a good saw saw to learn on .