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In the unfortunate situation that your table saw begins to rust, there are a few ways to remove it. They all include getting down and dirty, but we’re sure you don’t mind a bit of hard work and elbow grease.
What Are The Various Ways to De-Rust a Table Saw?
There are various ways to remove rust; all have similar steps, with the only difference between them being the liquid/chemical used to dissolve the rust.
Rust can be removed within hours using household remedies, however industrial remedies take less time and are more reliable
How to Remove Rust From a Table Saw
As we had mentioned, rust can be removed using either household or industrial remedies. Below is a detailed breakdown of what happens when using the various methods.
Household Remedies Are Inexpensive and Readily Available
Household remedies utilize materials and ingredients that you’d find in your home. Below, we’ll highlight the ingredients you could use to remove rust and the other parts of the process. The best part is that all of these ingredients work on cast iron.
Household Rust Removal Options
- White Vinegar - Let it soak for up to four hours
- Salt & Lime - Soak between 2-3 hours
- Baking Soda & Water Paste - The mixture ratio doesn’t matter; just let it sit and then scrub off
Home Rust Removal Method
- Remove all of the protruding objects like the blade, fence, and miter gauge.
- Remove all the loose rust or any rust which has built up to make an uneven surface; the main goal here is to make your table as even as possible.
- Apply one of the household remedies that we’ve mentioned above and allow it to sit for the recommended time. Make sure you get into all those grooves and tight spots.
- Once your rust removal liquid has had time to rest or set, it’s time to scrub as much as you can with a metal brush; once you’re happy with the outcome, wash it away with some water and a cloth.
- Step four should be repeated until all of the rust has been dissolved and removed.
- Clean the table saw and make sure it’s dry. You can use metal polish and an orbital buffer if you want to make it even cleaner. By going this extra mile, you’ll bring the cast iron back to life. It’ll look like a total restoration.
Industrial Options Get the Job Done Faster
If you’re going down the industrial route of chemical rust removers, they tend to take less time but will be riskier for the user to use. Industrial chemicals are considered the best way to remove cast iron. However, there are some safety precautions to consider before using them.
Industrial Rust Removal Options
- Chemical Rust Remover
- Citric Acid
- Naval Jelly
Industrial Rust Removal Method
This will be similar to the other process above, but this time we’ll pick one of the industrial ingredients.
- Remove all protruding objects and clean the surface down of any loose rust to level the surface.
- Before you apply the remover, you’ll want to put on a mask or respirator as these chemicals can be strong, ensure you’re in a well-ventilated area, and always wear gloves.
- Go ahead and apply the rust remover of your choice; an even thick coat should be applied; take a look at the product instructions to understand how long it’ll take as they’re all different depending on the brand.
- A standard time is around 20 minutes. Once the time is up, wipe it off with a cloth, repeat step 3 until all the rust is removed.
- Use a metal polish and buff out any rough spots using an orbital buffer. To remove any chemicals left on the table saw, use Acetone or Surfasolve until it’s visibly clean and no residue is staining your cloth.
- Add a wax coating for extra protection, let it sit for 20 minutes, and then remove it. You can now put your features back on and test the table saw out.
Conclusion
There are plenty of ways to remove rust from your table saw; you just have to decide if you need a budget-friendly, fast, reliable, or safe option. Thankfully, there’s something for everyone in the above guide.