Mr Axminster sent a handy set of instructions with my Powermatic, which were secreted in one of those plastic document sleeves. Not sure how much reading the instructions got but they, still in their sleeve, have been laid across the lathe bed whenever I have been oiling/finishing/painting ever since. Dont know if the instructions mentioned cleaning and its impossible to read them now but no way would I abrade the bed with anything courser than a nylon wash up. I do, however, wax it and have yet to notice any slippage.
Brian