pbrin

Hi ezwider48
I have restored an entire set of Bedrocks to pristine condition starting with old rustbuckets using the electrolysis method. Google up "electrolysis rust removal" and you will see loads of good articles. Its very easy to do and gives the best removal. When done, thoroughly rinse the plane body and use a scrubbing brush. It now looks a bit black. Now bake it gently in an electric oven (say 200 deg) for a few hours to completely remove moisture from the porous cast iron. Cool it off. Clean with steel wool or wire brush. Restore the japan with real asphaltum japan (hard to find) if you are a purist or a good black lacquer paint. You're done! You will have a rust free plane ready to go. For a working grade plane (not collector grade) I like to clean the sides with a little fine sandpaper and then wax it with furniture wax or camelia oil to keep rust out. A Hock blade would make it go from good to awesome!
Cheers, Paul