Reddit mentions of MowerPartsGroup Lubricant/Corrosion Inhibitor, 11.75 oz.

I use Fluid Film on my tools and the underside of my car in the winter. It works well and is non toxic which i suppose is probably good if youre rubbing your hands all over it all day.

There’s a few ways to prevent rust and the way you mentioned is the best way to go if you only want to have to touch the underbody once every 3-4 years. I find after that, it starts flaking off because water/salt somehow gets behind a part of the undercoat through a pin hole in the coverage.


I went a different route. It’s a DIY thing and pretty easy if you have the capability of getting your car on jack stands. When I switch from my winter to summer tire set, I coat the underbody with a product called Fluid Film. I buy the aerosol can version. It goes on as a sticky oil and bubbles when it contacts the surface as it penetrates. You basically spray the entire underbody and haven’t had any rust issues in Michigan.


If you want to go a step further (depending on how long you keep the car) you can do things like this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHMpJebGx_g


Fluid Film - https://www.amazon.com/Lubricant-Corrosion-Inhibitor-11-75-oz/dp/B00PWZ0XNM

The others who have commented already hit the nail on the head, but since I'm currently sitting in a meeting, and a little bored, I'll expand a little bit...

Firstly: that's a great machine you've got there, consider me jealous, especially since you picked it up for cheap. There's a lot of really cool things you can do with a nice pantograph machine. If you're interested in learning a bit more about it, and seeing it in action, I'd highly recommend checking out Stefan Gotteswinter's YouTube channel, he's got several videos related to / utilizing this machine: Here's a list of his videos about the pantograph.

1. Rust Removal & Cleanup: /u/John_Hasler nailed it with EvapoRust, it's a really great product. For small parts, pour the EvapoRust into a plastic container, and soak the parts for a few hours (up to 12ish, depending on how bad the rust is). For Larger parts, especially big surfaces, get paper towels (I use Scott Shop Towels they're strong enough to not tear easily, and they have a fairly smooth surface texture which helps the process) and soak them in EvapoRust, then lay them on the surfaces to treat, trying to make sure you're getting full contact. Then cover / wrap with plastic wrap to prevent the towels from drying out. Let them sit overnight, and then remove them. EDIT: Also, make sure to degrease everything before using EvapoRust. Grease and oil greatly reduce its efficacy.
   
   After the EvapoRust treatment, you'll be left with a black film all over everything. I rinse everything off with distilled water, and then scrub / polish all the surfaces with Gray Scotch-Brite Pads. After this I rinse everything again with distilled water, and then follow that up by wiping everything down with acetone*
   
   
2. Corrosion Prevention & Protection: /u/ShimanoMan58 mentioned Fluid Film, which is what I'd use as well. Once you've got everything cleaned up really well, spray everything down with AS11 Fluid Film it will add lubricity to all the moving parts, it soaks into tiny areas, and dries to a hard, waxy film. This will protect all the surfaces against rusting, and should last about a year. On rotating components, such as the leadscrews in the X-Y positioning work table, I'd recommend using a high pressure molybdenum sulfide grease. For sliding surfaces, like the dovetail ways under the table, I'd use an actual way oil, such as Mobil Vactra Number 2, though I will say it can be annoyingly difficult to find in small quantities. Regular 30W Motor Oil will work, just not as well.
   
   Edit: Because I forgot to add this in earlier:
   
   * After cleaning with acetone make sure you oil everything shortly thereafter (ideally within minutes) to prevent flash rusting.

Silica packets won't help unless your toolbox or garage/shop are airtight. They're designed to absorb moisture in a small area and, generally, that area is sealed.

I recommend Fluid Film.
https://amzn.com/B00PWZ0XNM