Bah! Nobody has any kerosene! Alternative cleaner?

[Aaron Buys]

Well after visiting 3 different gas stations and two different hardware stores I still can't find any kerosene to clean the grease off my new lathe. What else can I use that won't hurt the bed of my lathe or damage the painted surfaces? A guy at Woodcraft said I can just use mineral spirits but my manual says "no paint thinner" and I always thought mineral spirits *was* paint thinner. It was also suggested I could use an orange based cleaner to remove the grease. Any suggestions?

[Mike Vickery]

I would use Mineral Spirits.
FYI - both Home Depot and Ace usually carry Kerosene (at least in my area).

[Bob Childress]

Well after visiting 3 different gas stations and two different hardware stores I still can't find any kerosene to clean the grease off my new lathe. Any suggestions?

Go to a fourth station?

[Bruce Smith]

Mineral spirits or varsol will dilute the grease and make for a speedy clean up. You should be able to find either at the Home Depot.

[Aaron Buys]

Mineral spirits or varsol will dilute the grease and make for a speedy clean up. You should be able to find either at the Home Depot.

But is the mineral spirits safe if the instructions say no "paint thinner?"

[Hilel Salomon]

Hi,

Mineral spirits are safe for your lathe but not for you. If you inhale the stuff it's deadly. If you do go that route, wear gloves and some respiratory protection. I know lots of people-myself included- have used the stuff for years with no apparent ill effects- but the operative word is "apparent." There are lots of people who have suffered dramatically from inhaling the stuff.

[Gary Herrmann]

I picked up a 2 gallon container of kerosene at an Ace hardware last year.

[Mark Pruitt]

I like to clean with naphtha, because it dries far more quickly. Stinks though.

[Jim Johnstun]

use diesel. It is the same as kerosene for cleaning purposes.

[Kenneth Hertzog]

when I cleaned mine I used degreaser. get it at the auto parts it comes in either a spray or pump container. in the hard to get to area I sprayed it on the rag and worked it back and forth till clean. My paint is still good as new.
ken

[Doug Shepard]

I did the same as Kenneth when I got my MM16 except I got mine at the Borg. It worked great.

[Bob Noles]

If you want to play is safe, and you should, get a bottle of Simple Green and use some elbow grease. Works great!

[John Daugherty]

I've always used WD-40

[Bill Wyko]

Here's your awnser. I use a product called wax and grease remover. It's available at automotive paint suppliers. It won't hurt paint because it's made to clean paint surfaces before prep and it won't discolor anything and I mean anything. I use it on leather, cloth, wood, plastic pretty much any surface. I'd state my reputation on it. (7 time top 100 installer of the year) It's cheap too around 15 bucks a gallon. It's great for removing spray glue as well. Weldwood spray adhesive comes right off and the surface it's on will be just fine. If you do use it on material though it does remove oils so you would want to treat it with what ever you normally would treat it with like armoral or your preference. I hope this helps. It's what I used on my new lathe.

[Aaron Buys]

Thanks for all the info as usual guys. I'll see if I can get my hands on one of those solutions.

Aaron