Any suggestions for keeping a hoist chain from rusting badly?

shopnut · Nov 2, 2011

I live in a humid climate and bare metal tends to rust very quickly. I thought some of you may have figured out a good way to coat the chain of manual hoist to prevent rust.

I just received my second manual hoist and I don’t want it to end up like my first one - all rusty. It came with oil on the chain to prevent corrosion during shipment (practically dripping with it), but I really didn’t feel like getting oily hands every time I used it so I wiped off most of it.

Paint would work for a while, but it seems like it would rub off quickly. Plus it’s hard to get it completely covered in the joints between the links.

Perhaps some spray wax, like the stuff used for auto detailing?

Thanks in advance.

beardog · Nov 2, 2011

I would clean it well with brake cleaner and then use the spray wax heavily. Remove the excess by using it with terry cloth gloves a few times. That is how we do it at work and it is effective.

Outlawmws · Nov 2, 2011

You could also use the "dry" motorcycle/bicycle chain lubes. Remember, you also want lube on it to minimize wear.

Omphaloskeptic · Nov 2, 2011

Shopnut, I know you don't want oily hands, but you can minimize the amount of mess by limiting exposure to the humidity. Get two pulleys, 2 lines, two vinyl totes, and two cloth totes about the same size as the vinyl ones. Attach the pulleys near the 'stowed' position of the manual hoist, attach a pair of bags (cloth inside the vinyl) to each line with a dowel as a spreader between the handles of the totes. Soak the cloth bag with some nice thick lubricant and the chains with the same. As you raise the pulleys, the chains should easily feed in/out of the bag between uses, and keep the humid air from attacking the metal. The oiled cloth bag isolates the chain from the air, and the vinyl bag further contains the oiled chain bag and reduces air contact. Another benefit is that the light line arrangement can be run up the posts and keep you from repeatedly walking into the hanging chains! lol :bounce:

rockchucker · Nov 2, 2011

Clean it with Brakekleen then apply generous amounts of Chain Wax made for Dirt Bikes. I would dip the Chain in Oil and just have a pair of Gloves on hand when operating the Hoist. Even the Chain Wax will rub off in places creating spot rust all over where the Chain Wax was rubbed off from operating the unit.

elevator joe · Nov 2, 2011

Use the oiled burlap sack in a 5 gallon bucket with a cover to seal it up.

porcupine73 · Nov 2, 2011

Kano labs makes some kind of stuff for that sort of purpose, I forget what it was called, waterclear or something. I bought a gallon but haven't tried it out yet.

osborn.ozzy · Nov 2, 2011

porcupine73 said:
Kano labs makes some kind of stuff for that sort of purpose, I forget what it was called, waterclear or something. I bought a gallon but haven't tried it out yet.

"gearope"

porcupine73 · Nov 2, 2011

I looked it up, I was thinking of 'weatherpruf':

I like the gearope too, I've used that on garage door cables and some other cable applications and it does protect nice. Might leave it slightly greasy though for the hand operated chain.

[SIZE=+1]Weatherpruf Clear Rust Preventative - 1 Year Protection
[/SIZE]Tough, clear weatherproof coating. A single coat provides 1 year of rust and corrosion protection in outdoor applications. Transparent coating will not harm metals, and may be applied over paint. Easily removed with mineral spirits, or may be painted over without additional preparations needed.

Keyblazer · Oct 1, 2018

Older thread but I need to clean up these rusty chains I got as part of a Chassis/Frame pulling setup.
The smaller stuff, has already been media blasted and painted, its the chains that Im not sure about.

I've had one set in a bucket of Vinegar for a day or so now, and they are looking better.
Going to pull them out today, and rinse, but I dont know what to coat them with to keep them good after this...
Paint seems silly, and will chip off.
Is there a new tech solution?

shawhite · Oct 1, 2018

Best way to keep it from rusting is to use it.

sberry · Oct 1, 2018

Drag down gravel road.

Keyblazer · Oct 1, 2018

Already derusted.

Looking for advice on longer term protection..

mobiledynamics · Oct 1, 2018

Weathepruf - it dries to a thickish clearcoat.

i tried it on some OPE - did not like it. It's very thick-viscous if I recall. Need spirits to remove it. Does not dry clear....a yellowish tinge

5ktq · Oct 1, 2018

If you don't want it to stain your hands with oil, I guess either use a pretty long chain wax (like candle wax so not sticky). Have to thin it with naphtha or similar to get it liquid i guess (or heat it, maybe both).

Or maybe linseed oil or similar (it dries out and leaves a film)

There's commercial things like fluid film, but it stays greasy. I think its basically lanolin.

matt_i · Oct 1, 2018

I'm a fan of LPS3 out of a trigger spray bottle. Either let the thick coat dry for long term protection or wipe it down with a paper towel to reduce the "goo" factor.

I think the gold standard is Boeshield T9. If you purchase a bottle you may think it has ground-up gold dust inside of it

But woodworkers use it on their cast iron machine tops, and they definitely don't want oily gummy junk staining their pristine unfinished hardwood surfaces. As with LPS3, can spray on a heavy dripping coat for long protection or spray light and wipe off the excess.

anndel · Oct 1, 2018

Spray it with Fluid Film but have to do it maybe quarterly.

malibu101 · Oct 1, 2018

I don't know the details and don't know if this is even a valid solution?.....
Hopefully someone who knows can elaborate.

Many years ago I knew a guy who trapped fur animals.
Each year he would "dye" (he called it?) his traps. They were a bit rusty before, but after dying they were kinda black. He said it kept them from severely rusting. :dunno:

He also used to dip them in some kind of melted wax solution also.

I barely know what I'm talking about.
Does anyone know anything more? Is this a valid procedure for these chains in question?

tncatadjuster · Oct 1, 2018

malibu101 said:
I don't know the details and don't know if this is even a valid solution?.....
Hopefully someone who knows can elaborate.

Many years ago I knew a guy who trapped fur animals.
Each year he would "dye" (he called it?) his traps. They were a bit rusty before, but after dying they were kinda black. He said it kept them from severely rusting.
He also used to dip them in some kind of melted wax solution also.

I barely know what I'm talking about.
Does anyone know anything more? Is this a valid procedure for these chains in question?

I suspect he was using http://ospho.com with a parifin kerosene topcoat.

I would use the chain wax that leaves a waxy residue.

bpjr · Oct 1, 2018

Mine doesn't get used often so about every couple yrs or after use I spray it with oil. It hangs in a closed shed and I live on saltwater so rust happens quickly if I don't. Going on 30 yrs with it and I sprayed it with the aerosol lithium grease a couple times too.

That wax motorcycle chain spray from wallyworld should work good too. Much cleaner than grease or oil. I use it on my bicycle chain.

kctyphoon · Oct 1, 2018

Just use it.. but honestly ANYTHING will help.. i use to spray all mine down with wd40 and just wipe em off. There’s other spray on metal treatments, but reality is any thin layer of protection is good.. you have no idea how much those chains cost for a quality hoist. I spent DAYS online and making phone calls trying to find a longer replacement for a hoist at work. The chain on a quality utility grade hoist cost more than a cheap hoist.

Other than getting your hands dirty, the surface rust wont effect anything anyway.

Keyblazer · Oct 2, 2018

Thanks for that.
Can’t seem to find Weatherpruf for sale anywhere and their website fails to allow me to buy or see a price. Will try again today.

Here is a pic of how the Chan’s are, and after being in the vinaigrette for a couple of days now.

redm18 · Oct 2, 2018

Wax seems to be the key here. I use Johnson's paste wax for stuff and it seems to help.

seber · Oct 2, 2018

I spray my chains with zinc loaded paint. It doesn't hold up well at all but even a little on a link is enough to protect the steel. It won't start rusting until every last bit of zinc is gone.

toplessHO · Oct 4, 2018

parkerizing or grey phosphate with the proper oil coating.
buy a cheap hotplate and some stainless bowls at a garage sale for treatment

Any suggestions for keeping a hoist chain from rusting badly?

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Banned

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Banned

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Banned

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member