Cleaning rusty tools / will vinegar work?

[monkeyplasm]

Pardon my ignorance here; I've read this thread and several other like it, but I must be missing or misunderstanding the final step to this whole process.

In reference actual work tools (non-collector's tools), what do y'all do to keep re-rusting from occuring?

I have a hard time believing anyone simply coats their wrenches, vice grips, c-clamps, etc. with an oil (or similar substance) and stores the oily, greasy mess in their tool box until they need to use the oily, greasy tool for work.

Seriously, short of paying to have a batch of de-rusted tools re-plated (cadmium, zinc, chrome, nickel, what-have-you) what process can an amateur/hobbyist employ AT HOME to protect their newly de-rusted tools?

Again, my question is not about carefully restoring and preserving collector's tools. I want to know about reviving tools to be put back to work. I got the electrolysis going yesterday, and it works surprisingly well. I just want to know what I can do at home besides spray paint. Paint won't last on work tools, and even powder coat won't be useful on something with moving parts like the screw on a c-clamp.

Thanks for any insight you may have on this matter.

 

[dabirdguy]

Once they are clean, periodically I spray a bit of WD 40 on them in the drawers. This eats up the humidity and leaves a light oil film. It doesn't take much.

 

[T56 Impala]

I have looked into parkerizing some plain steel tools. Never tried but it could work. There is also a black oxide finish that can be applied by a home owner too. Actually, I like BO tools. Oiling old tools doesnt really leave a puddle of oil in your tool box. You wipe off the excess and only a very light coating survives. It's doubtful you would even feel it.

One of my favorite tools to use is a Wright 1/2" breaker bar circa 1942. (-42 code) It was either made plain steel or long since lost any cadmium plating or paint it had. It has been used in greasy, nasty, oily jobs for decades, by greasy nasty hands. It has a wonderful patina that is not rust nor is it anything that would readily wipe off. It is dark black and it's not black oxide!