Cleaning an old lathe

Some early hydraulic brakes did run on water.

From memory, the Miller Indianapolis cars.

Just discovered another way to double post!

Edited By ega on 14/02/2020 17:00:07

EGA, I don’t think I would like to try running modern braking systems with any water in them, in fact brake fluid changes are part of the service cycle to eliminate any water that may be in the system, brake fluid is very hygroscopic, I take you point about the historical use of water in braking systems, it is a very good hydraulic medium.
Dave W

I clean a lot of old machinery, one of the best things for dried on oil is paint thinners! Obviously it will also destroy your paintwork if you aren't very carful. But is worth a try on the unpainted parts.

If you want to risk it on the painted parts apply a bit to a rag or cotton bud for the hard to reach parts and scrub quickly before cleaning off immediately with soapy Water.

No, indeed; I take it that the objection to water is that it corrodes the braking system and if it boils will adversely affect braking.

I haven't been able to confirm the Miller reference but note that the winning 1921 Duesenberg Grand Prix car had water-operated brakes; possibly the emphasis in those days was on going rather than stopping!

Rock Oil used to do something called SOC, very like Jizer but a lot cheaper

If it was mine I would steam clean it.

Mark P.

As long as you dry bit immediately afterwards, and spray with a water dispersant (WD40 / AC90 etc ) why not power wash it?

Although that might strip off some of the paint, if you are unlucky / careless.

Howard

Anyone tried BBQ cleaner. I had to remove old lard and walnut oil from an old wooden oil press. Nothing shifted it, white spirit, acetone, ammonia salts and even paint stripper but BBQ cleaner shifted it in 15 mins, and washed off clean.

Hi,

I found Lotoxane (Arrow Chemicals) to be really effective and it doesnt stink.