Cleaning/Maintaining hand tools

[odermann]

HI,

I don't always take the time to wipe down my tools after using them, but every once in while I wipe them down with a wd-40 soaked (not really soaked) and oil my ratchets. Wondering if I am just a wierdo or if you guys take the time to do that once and while also.

Odie

 

[Duct Tape Man]

I buy mostly flea market tools, condition varies from like new to "damn this was on the ocean floor". I clean them up as good as I can upon purchase, if that means a light oil or Windex rag once over, great. Sometimes that means a wire wheel or paint to hide the bare metal. Once it's in the toolbox, I usually only clean them if they get nasty right after use. But I don't as a habit, go through everything on a regular basis to oil or wipe down. It'd take me all day long for the tools I have, and for what? They don't get nasty in the toolbox, unless I take them out to use.

 

[jakemac]

Yes, you're a weirdo ........



......................but you're not alone here.



My experience with WD40 is that it ends up promoting rust when used to wipe down tools. It was developed as a water repellent, not a lubricant. I use PB Blaster to wipe my tools, and find that it holds up longer.

Others here would recommend using a product called "Fluid Film". I don't have any experience with it, so I couldn't say.

 

[n8n]

I've become more **** retentive over time about my tools; lately everything has got a good hose down with Boeshield T-9 because everything will rust if I leave it at my friend's shop without it (unless it's something that I use a lot and I know it's recently been wiped down with an oily rag)

 

[Stuart in MN]

People post a couple times a month about how to clean tools, so no, you're not weird.

 

[malibu101]

I buy mostly flea market tools, condition varies from like new to "damn this was on the ocean floor". I clean them up as good as I can upon purchase, if that means a light oil or Windex rag once over, great. Sometimes that means a wire wheel or paint to hide the bare metal. Once it's in the toolbox, I usually only clean them if they get nasty right after use. But I don't as a habit, go through everything on a regular basis to oil or wipe down. It'd take me all day long for the tools I have, and for what? They don't get nasty in the toolbox, unless I take them out to use.

See my highlight above.

I am NOT a tool polisher. I use what I need when I need it and treat it with some respect.

However, I do not have constant heat in my garage. When I fire up the kerosene salamander heater in the winter everything crosses the dewpoint and can get some condensation on it.
Therefore, I sometimes spend the time to wipe with an oily rag the lesser used tools to prevent any nasty from happening.

 

[MagnumForce]

Clean mine with a mild degreaser at the end of everyday, well whatever I use. Also give anything black oxide a shot of wd40 weekly.

 

[Cato]

You sound like a good mechanic!

Taking some basic care of one's tools is important.

I take it a step further; I clean them if they get grime on them and wipe them down with WD 40. I like to keep them as nice as possible.

It makes the job more pleasurable with clean tools.

 

[justme-]

My old man used to use Marvel Mystery oil, which I believe is basically highly refined kerosene.
I love and highly recommend Fluid Film - and that's my go to these days too.
As to PB blaster - it's corrosive, which is part of how it helps free rusted fasteners - by dissolving some of the rust. Spray some on some exposed metal (untreated, unplated) and leave it for a while and you'll see the results.

 

[chipper]

Usually once a month or so I'll inspect and clean as needed when nothing else is going on...normally I'm so rushed to get inside and help
With the kids I put it on the back burner ......f'n kids....jk

 

[rlebroke51]

usually I wipe them of with just a rag when I get done with them but after a while they still get crappy and ill put them in the parts wash station makes them look brand new. just have to be careful with rubber handles the cheap ones don't like it real well.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Use leftover oil from an oil change and use a little bit on a clean rag. Costs nothing extra and every oil change it will remind you to oil your tools. For daily, I would think that just wiping off the dirt and grime using whatever wd-40 type fluid would be fine.

 

[nicksnothereman]

HI,

I don't always take the time to wipe down my tools after using them, but every once in while I wipe them down with a wd-40 soaked (not really soaked) and oil my ratchets. Wondering if I am just a wierdo or if you guys take the time to do that once and while also.

Odie

Unless it falls in the toilet I don't really clean tools. I'll oil the chrome stuff I have out of habit, but not necessarily the non chrome stuff. I don't go too heavy on the oil (I use a couple of different kinds) on the handles though, bad idea unless you wipe it down before you use it or store it in something that will absorb the oil (usually I do for ratchets).

Is it necessary? Not where I live, but if you live in a place with saltwater in the air or the "rust belt" might be a good idea for long term tools.

 

[HighPlainsWrencher]

I wipe them off after use, when they get bad I throw them in the parts cleaner and scrub them or hit them with break cleaner. Tools that are going to sit for awhile I spray with Loctite penetrating oil then wipe them off.

 

[Jrsixx]

Every time I put a tool away it gets wiped down with a rag. Only tool I've ever oiled is either an air tool (oil every time I use it first time of the day), and my hand ratchets semi-regularly. As far as corrosion in an I heated space goes, saw something at Menards the other day. Basically purpose made desiccant bags for your toolbox

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Tools get cleaned when put back in the box--ready for the next use.. Something about a sloppy shop or greasy tools that pisses me off. So often; they go hand in hand.
I value a Parts washer, WD40 pump dispenser, and a Broom.
Sorry; I do not swallow the "takes too much time" battle cry the schlimermasters

 

[Adam.C]

My experience with WD40 is that it ends up promoting rust when used to wipe down tools. It was developed as a water repellent, not a lubricant.

It's fine to say WD-40 promotes corrosion if that's your experience. But this runs counter to several tests I've seen including this one from Brownells.

The second sentence is a repetition of unfactual internet folklore. WD -40 may have been designed as a water dispersant, it may be marketed as such, but it is chiefly kerosene, more or less like others of it's grade and is as effective a lubricant as any other.

For those too lazy to read the report, Brownells found WD-40 to be an effective rust inhibitor.

Personally, I find simple household materials most convenient for my tools. For long term storage I use vasoline. For general lubrication and wipe down and cleaning (of automotive nuts, bolts, tools) I use mineral oil from the local drug store. When a spray is needed, typically reach for WD-40, which I buy in gallon jugs and dispense in a plant sprayer.

I do believe WD 40 dries and gets slightly gummy. Mineral oil does not. All oils attract dust, which is proven to promote corrosion, especially wood dust.

My recomendation is to keep tools clean, and stored in a clean environment. Deeply scratched or dinged chrome will permit tool steels to rust, so caring for your tools chrome finish is helpful. Careful usage and storage are the best approach. Mineral oil on unchromed or worn areas is a good preventative step.

 

[HairMetal]

I keep my tools clean with WD-40.

 

[colin39]

I use"traffic film remover" we use it here when cleaning cars as a prewash before pressure washing them.
I have it in a spray bottle 2 or 3 squirts and wiped job done. It dont leave rubber handles sticky neither

 

[Dave455]

Always wipe my tools down after using them!

That's why I have regularly used tools 20 or 30 years old that are still serviceable and still look it!

WD-40 is perfect for cleaning off chrome or blued finishes!

Can't see how WD-40 would promote corrosion uncles you used it to clean off a much heavier rust preventative!

 

[Bill Ramsey]

My uncle (rest in peace, Sarge) was a professional mechanic with boxes full of SO and Mac. He would let us use his shop and his tools, so long as we followed one simple rule: immediately after finishing the job, we were to wipe down all tools with a slightly oily rag and put the tool back where we found it. That was our price of using his tools...and he made it clear that if the rule wasn't followed, we'd be cut off. His tools were awesome, and I never broke the rule.

30+ years later, it's still a good plan.

 

[OutsideMachinist]

Wd-40 doesn't seem to last very long in my experience. Using a little oil is fine, pb blaster and kroil have worked well for me also. I think fluid film is best stuff i have used though.

 

[panknuckshovel]

I found a bottle of Hoppes 9 in the garage last night, going to give it a shot.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I found a bottle of Hoppes 9 in the garage last night, going to give it a shot.

Isn't that a cleaner? It's no an all in one product like BreakFree CLP

 

[Snap_cap]

I do believe WD 40 dries and gets slightly gummy. Mineral oil does not. All oils attract dust, which is proven to promote corrosion, especially wood dust.

My recomendation is to keep tools clean, and stored in a clean environment.

Dust, especially wood dust, is hygroscopic and will result in surface rust on tools and stationary machinery if no film of oil is in place to inhibit the process.

Personally, I use the following as cleaning agents/preservatives for tools:

Windex (plastic parts, housings, cases, handles, painted surfaces of tool boxes and chests)
Kroil (when required)
Mineral Oil (general routine cleaning)
Camellia Oil (tablesaw, bandsaw, etc.)

 

[mikebramel]

The SK wipes work pretty well for wiping things down

 

[woody 73]

Since I have so much shop dust from wood, plus the environment outside/and inside the Garage, I wipe all my tools and machines in any grease and oil that I can get my hands on; so far after all these many years no rust.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I thought more about this. I think that tools are made to withstand the elements in which they are used very well. They will obviously last longer with care and cleaning, but a quality tool shouldn't need "protected" much unless it's in long term storage or in a non climate controlled environment. Cleaning and maintaining hand tools are two entirely different things and should be treated differently, so in regards to this thread I think many are suggesting wd-40 because of it's cleaning ability for the most part. However, it's obviously not the best protector because it's not made to be. So to sum it up: users clean, collectors protect.

 

[Dust Devil]

I wipe my handles down maybe once a week or two. For Snap pliers, comfort grip ratchets, instinct soft handles and wiha screwdriver soft finish I like to use Honda spray cleaner polish. It cuts the grease and does not do wierd stuff to my prized soft handle tools.

In a can at your friendly local Honda powersports dealer.

 

[Adam.C]

Not discussed seems to be how to properly care for chrome plated tools. When I wrote about tools, I was really discussing unplated tools; my beloved industrial finished tools and machinist tools.

I use any solvent I have handy, typically WD-40, to help remove the grime from the insides of a used 12pt box wrench or socket. Keeping these business ends free from debris is a smart move. As for the rest of the socket or wrench, I don't think too much about it. I try not to scratch them, as I feel that degrades the protection the chrome offers. Otherwise, I almost never clean my chrome plated tools.

 

[Dust Devil]

The Honda Spray cleaner I mentioned above is made for chrome clean and polish.

Does not harm ANY surface and it smells good too. Cleans rubberized "comfort" handles and leaves them tacky.

For a chrome ratchet or wrench spray a little into a rag and wipe down it will leave a haze on the tool after it cuts grease and grime. Then wipe with a clean dry rag to polish.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

I dust all my hand tools off daily with a feather duster before tucking them into bed at night...

 

[Dust Devil]

I dust all my hand tools off daily with a feather duster before tucking them into bed at night...

What...no sweet nothings??

 

[413dan]

i use ballistol every now and then and wipe down stuff, it gets pretty muggy periodically in this neck of the woods around this time of year

 

[NorCalWrenchin]

I just wipe mine down with naphtha before I put 'em back.. Makes comfort grip handles look reeeaaal nice. Probably horrendous for them tho

 

[Juan Valderrama]

I use the lubricant and, wondering how that can be, degreaser, calle 5-56. I also use DW-40, and an house hold use oil called 3 in One. I believe the 5—56 is like the 3 in one.

Juan Valderrama
XT1200Z
Broadcasting from Bogotá - Colombia.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I clean everything religiously with WD40. It cleans well and helps keep the rust off in the winter.

 

[franzdom]

WD40 is awesome, I even pre-wash my hands with it, truly amazing what it does.