Surface plate cleaner

[mwill135]

Any other brands of surface plate cleaner people know and trust other than Starrett? Trying to save a few dollars.

[polaraligned]

Why not just dish soap and water? My gut tells me that the "special" cleaners are just a scam.

[kev74]

Windex?

[J Tiers]

Windex works well for both Canode and HiSpot blue. Soap and water should work also.

Problem with either is cooling.... if you are being fussy with measurements, cooling the surface can bend the plate. Sounds like way too small a problem, but it's really not... when doing final scraping of something you will use as a reference, you will see that bend.

[JoeLee]

I use rubbing alcohol.

JL.............

[tom_d]

Why not just dish soap and water? My gut tells me that the "special" cleaners are just a scam.

It's not the scam, It's the scum. Whatever you use, try it on a piece of glass first to see if it leaves any residue behind.

[Video Man]

There are several brands on Amazon much less expensive than Starrett. FWIW, the non-abrasive GoJo was recommended to me (there's a youtube on this, also) and I've found it to do a good job.
Is Gojo the best Surface Plate Cleaner? - YouTube

[BCRider]

I would think that the lack of residue is a big deal. So for me it might be a good degreasing detergent and water to start but I think I'd want to finish up with something like Windex or an alcohol wipe down.

Good point about the cooling effect which would occur with any cleaner that can evaporate. Soapy water included. Just cover it up after the final clean and leave it for 20 to 30 minutes to equalize again.

[Technical Ted]

Use straight ammonia. There is a Suburban Tool YouTube video on this...

Ted

[eKretz]

I have heard that plain Gojo is the same stuff as many of the "made for purpose" surface plate cleaners on the market. And yes, Jerry is right: cleaning the plate will move it a little. It's good to clean it a while before you use it and keep it covered if you have any fussy work to do. It doesn't take much temperature difference from top to bottom of a surface plate to bow it.

[Doozer]

I tried all those mentioned, and my surface plate still gets rust.

-D

[Noitoen]

I tried all those mentioned, and my surface plate still gets rust.

-D

try some lemon juice

[mwill135]

My worry is leaving a residue (soaps) that could build up over time. How about mineral spirits? I like the Windex idea.

[Ian B]

Just out of interest, are we talking about a cast iron, or a granite surface plate here?

Ian

[reggie_obe]

A water rinse, unless its de-mineralized would leave a residue.
Surface plate cleaner is just another shop consumable, like way oil. Why are we going down this road again?
Have bought the gallon sized plate cleaner from Enco and others.