Rusty Lead Screw - Best method to clean

[SteveNotlob]

Hello all.
I have recently purchased a machine and all seems OK so far (mechanically, not tested electrics yet) apart from the x-axis lead screw which is quite rusty.
Could someone let me know the best way of cleaning it?
I thought about brass wire wheel on cordless drill, is that OK?
What would be the best way to protect the threads in the future once they are clean, or do you just leave it as-is? I was wondering if light machine oil or even a furniture polish sprayed on the thread, or is that just a real dumb idea ?? :-)
Many thanks.
Stephen

[Muzzer]

Use a rust eater that doesn't contain acid ie a chelating agent. The market leader would be Evaporust https://www.amazon.co.uk/Evapo-Rust-Remover-Powerful-Reusable-Formula/dp/B0BCPXWFCF/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=194865159588&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9Q4m0dofboL3imo3OzsJNzcKgEdzAfccr-5STaEontWEiDyffAX2-YT6-EB45qUbQdp8QhdEWyafAcxM9bJNy4U_b58UVGW51VkY51a5XQk 7sUXyBhKbC-I94zMVhvAHib3GctdXlEBSXCjs9xg4sjsRnxJRczl2WzmIJlPb 8epo52NfR7_BCe-k3ohdljGvLE0SYeII3XonPinky28DMDF-Lkk4_h-VdmCO9LDAAlhckJp0Vk2u0unfZ4mTWe29APhzyo1OePa9FwsFL hsiM0Lc5Hj0V0CgaYImw5Lun0A.lCqSsxZjPfQMQ9toRZdvqWh lhuu_J7LEANFYxQOA44o&dib_tag=se&gad_source=1&hvadid=793698427859&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=1007098&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=10639234841837508732--&hvqmt=b&hvrand=10639234841837508732&hvtargid=kwd-6972847475&hydadcr=12270_2533327_424612&keywords=evapo+rust+remover&mcid=2fb1bfd003943015966dc896edf23589&qid=1775593200&sr=8-1
It's not cheap and other products are available but you can't damage the good metal by leaving stuff in it for too long. Best to thoroughly degrease the part beforehand, so it doesn't contaminate the fluid. Also, it won't work if the leadscrew is greasy. Once done, you can brush it off and rinse it clean.

You can make your own chelating solution but that could be a rabbit hole of its own....

[grain_r]

Hey Stephen depending if the rust is particularly nasty or not.I have used “The Pink Stuff” on my lathe that had surface rust on it and came up really well and didn’t eat the metal as it is a mild abrasive, And it is a good price and then can go up on the levels with different levels of harshness.

[SteveNotlob]

Thanks for the replies chaps.
The rust is not too bad at one end but is quite bad at the other.
I think the unit was a bit tilted in storage and water has run down the thread and congregated at the other end.

[SteveNotlob]

Quick update - I purchased a few brass wheels for the cordless drill today and so far, it seems to be going well on the cleanup.
Going back to my initial posting, should I use oil, grease or polish to keep them lubricated, running smoothly and free from rust, or just leave as-is?
As a side note (I know not entirely on topic in this sub-forum) but I have successfully run all motors for 2 hours continuous (no load though) after not being run for at least 6 years and thus also shows the original drivers are OK too. Did it by connecting the cheap Chinese Mach3 compatible board to them... All looking good so far.
If the rain mostly holds off for the next few days then I'm hoping to have it ready for first run / cut early next week.

[NikosR]

Upload some photos so we can see the machine.

[SteveNotlob]

Hello NikosR.
I have already put photos of my machine on the 'Introduction / Welcome sub-forum a week or so ago.
I'm attaching some photos of the gantry / Y-Axis lead screw to show how the worst part is, and the parts I have attacked with a brass wire brush on my cordless drill. A 'before-and-after' view.
The last photo is to give an idea of scale. The gantry is around 80cm wide, approximately (not measured it but the bed is 70cm wide).