Best stuff to coat machinery with....?
 

As an offshoot to Randy's Vice cleaning thread, what's the best stuff to coat bare metal machinery with?

I'm in the process of configuring a basic machine shop in my basement and would like to protect as much of the metal as possible. I run a humidifier 24/7 down there but need all the protection I can get.

Desireable properties would be not too greasy, doesn't "attract" dirt etc.....

Military likes cosmoline. I never cared for it, tough to get off.

I'm thinking more of a protectant like an oil or light grease.

It'll be used on the exposed working surfaces of the machinery....like the way on a lathe.

Boeshield.

my cnc is coated with "way lube" you can get it in various brands, and weights. Mcmaster Carr or J&L industrial

what about por-15 or their other products?

TRYING FOGGING SPRAY,IT IS MADE FOR THAT PURPOSE

How about just simply wiping it down with some machine oil...or better yet, WD-40? No need to go overboard and saturate it...just a light coat on all exposed surfaces. Do this on a regular basis and you should have no problems with rust.

Randy

WD-40 has always worked good for me!

Way oil is what is designed for that purpose, in my shop we use Vactra number 2 (Mobil oil), although #4 is thicker and may stay on the metal longer.
I have 7 lathes, 4 mills, and three grinders, we go through 55 gallon drums of the stuff. I think we pay around $8 a gallon in bulk.

Farmers for years have used linseed oil. Come to think of it, my tractor blade, drag and harrow are coated in the stuff and are pretty much as good as the day I bought them. Just use light coats and let it dry good and it works wonders. I also weld steel sculptures and furniture, and it works good for those too. It sets to a deep metal patina that prevents further oxidation. Very durable.

Thanks guys!

I've heard of using Way oil from a couple of people over the years. Is it similar to Mobil "Spindle oil"?

Doesn't Linseed oil ingnite when rags soaked in it are put in a pile?

yes its does..

right stuff, right place
 

The ways should have a nice film of way oil to be properly lubricated. I would find it kind of messy to coat a whole machine though. We use this stuff to protect the other important stuff like the table and spindles and so on. For example, use it between the table and a vice that will be set-up for a extended time.

http://www.slideproducts.com/rust.htm

We make use of No-Rust for our machine tables and prepping tools/molds for shipment.

25,500 lbs. of bumper mold being modified, the machine table can take 40,000

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1095298050.jpg


david 89 turbo cab

Actually the farmers used what was available, usually kerosene.

Agree w/ the comments about the linseed oil