The Tool Hoarder

Hand Plane Rust Removal with Razor Blades & Scotchbrite

Written by The Tool Hoarder | Aug 19, 2020 9:36:51 PM

I've been reading about restoring planes using a razor blade to scrape off rust. This number 2 has been staring at me for a while. Today it got the treatment.

I used WD40 for lubricant, followed by maroon and then gray Scotchbrite. This is the first time I have used the technique. I took photos along the way, so I can tell how long it took to do this side of the plane by checking the timestamps. 12 minutes from start to finish.

Before

before-1

 

After

8-1

Here is how the process went

Step 1. Put a little WD40 on the side of the plane and scraped with a razor blade for 3 minutes. I stopped when it looked like this. The latter half probably did not achieve much. I think 1.5 minutes would have done as good a job. I stopped when it looked like this.

After mopping off the rust with paper towels

Next after scrubbing with maroon scotchbrite & wd40 for 2 minutes

Then wiped off with paper towels

Scrubbed with gray scotchbrite for 3 minutes

A quick wipe off with paper towels

Then wiped down until the towels came away clean

I'm happy with the results. Will be interesting to see if a razor blade is practical when it comes to cleaning up the inside of the body.