Windmill Restoration/Cleaning
Hello!
I have recently acquired a new windmill and need to clean it up a bit. There isn’t really any rust - more just dust and grime. What should I use to clean it?
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Having cleaned up a windmill and several other presses, I like to spray WD40 on a rag and use that. It seems to cut through most grease/grime and not leave a greasy film. Then I wipe it with a dry rag. I sometimes use a little naphtha gas(white gas) or one of its cousins to cut through heavier stuff or to make sure there is no greasy film left behind……I’m sure others may have different and quite possibly better suggestions but that’s my 2 cents worth……cheers….db
Thanks so much, David! This is super helpful. I was scared of putting something on there that would be abrasive. :)
Personally I love Superclean (degreaser), mineral spirits, and (for slight or heavy corrosion) Evaporust.
Evaporust…..I don’t think I know that one. I’m in Canada — New Brunswick — I must see if they sell it around here. Thanks.
It’s quite pricey but you can reuse it multiple times and it doesn’t wear away the base metal like acids, for instance. It works by chelation and is pretty harmless. I think I bought my last gallon at an auto parts store. https://www.evapo-rust.com/
Canada? Try Canadian Tire; ask for naval jelly. Works well on rust.
Canada? Try Canadian Tire; ask for naval jelly. Works well on rust.
Canada? Try Canadian Tire; ask for naval jelly. Works well on rust.
Canada? Try Canadian Tire; ask for naval jelly. Works well on rust.
Canada? Try Canadian Tire; ask for naval jelly. Works well on rust.
Canada? Try Canadian Tire; ask for naval jelly. Works well on rust.
Canada? Try Canadian Tire; ask for naval jelly. Works well on rust.
Canada? Try Canadian Tire; ask for naval jelly. Works well on rust.
When I put my press to bed (if I’m away), I use Cosmoline (a very viscous rust inhibitor). A little goes a long way ;-) I’ve heard of naval jelly - it’s similar to Cosmoline, right?
I would just be careful not to use anything too strong like straight ammonia, TSP or lacquer thinner. Kerosene is the mildest solvent and even mineral spirits might be too strong. Use the softest rags possible.
Naval Jelly (tm) is a phosphoric acid based rust remover and is rather aggressive. IMHO it’s not suitable for anything that you care about. For most rust removal, you’re better off with a wire brush and a Scotchbrite pad moistened with WD40 or kerosene.