Originally Posted by
Mark Hennebury
Patrick, The way that I did the Maka table top is pretty simple, you can't really mess it up; it's just time consuming, but it does a nice job.
Sandblasting does a great job at deep cleaning; My work is done for resale, so you doing it for yourself can take your time and do a better job. It's just a matter of spending the time and checking your work until you are satisfied with it. Sandblasting wont remove the original ribs, or any scratches dents or gouges; so the top won't look new or re-machined; it will just look clean and consistent. I set up a clear plastic tent outside to do the blasting on large stuff. Once its done, i wire brush it which gives it a smooth more shiny surface. Then i will rub it over with a 1000/ 1200 grit water-stone soaked in paint thinner, i also spray paint thinner on the surface. Then wipe it all off and dry it. Then wipe on a solution of 50% boiled linseed oil and turpentine, let that soak in for half hour or so, then wipe off the excess, let that dry, for a day the give it a second coat.
You can also look into a chemical clean, like Muriatic acid or some metal cleaner.
I haven't done anything much with acid, before, so i am no expert on that at all. (Although i currently have a bunch of parts soaking in a tub of acid right now that i have to go check on.)