Summary for cast iron weigh scale Discussion
Cleaning a classic cast iron weigh scale calls for a gentle approach, according to the answerer. The suggested cleaner is Barkeeper’s Friend for the exterior, but the key warning is not to strip away all protective oil, because bare cast iron will rust very quickly. For ongoing protection, machinery oil is recommended, and museum wax is mentioned as an alternative if you are willing to reapply it frequently. If the scale’s innards are being taken apart, the answerer advises checking whether the original mechanism used oil or grease; either the same machinery oil or a general automotive grease may be suitable for those internal parts. The overall advice is to clean carefully, preserve lubrication, and avoid aggressive methods that leave the metal unprotected.
Q. Hi,
I have an old cast iron Salter’s NO 50 scale with a brass face that needs some cleaning. It was used daily in the restaurant I work at but now the boss has gone digital so I have acquired the scale and would like to clean it up. What should I use that will remove the built on grime without affecting the working mechanisms inside.
Thank you for any answers
Lorraine Middaugh
hobbyist – Blind River, Ontario, Canada
2007
on eBay
(affil link)
A. Hi, Lorraine.
Any brass that you can reach can be cleaned with a brass/copper polish. There are a hundred brands but
Barkeeper’s Friend ⇨
seems to be good balance between fast-acting and leaving that warm glow. Brasso
⇦ on
or
Amazon [affil link] probably leaves the warmest finish but may be slow on heavy tarnish.
For the cast iron parts, I think I’d use light Machinery Oil
[affil link]. You don’t want to use anything that removes all of the oil or it will very quickly rust! … although if you’re willing to re-do it frequently you could use museum wax
⇦ on
or
Amazon [affil link]
to avoid oil.
If you’re taking the innards apart, try to determine whether they originally used oil or grease (oil plus a soap to thicken it so it stays in place). The same machinery oil can be used for those innards, or probably most any automotive grease
⇦ on
or
Amazon [affil link]
you can find.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
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