Cleaning Up Rust in Toolbox

[Dennis The Menace]

I have a Waterloo plastic toolbox with the many compartments on the top layer. One of the compartments had a few tools, one being very rusty. Duh, the rust started to spread to the other tools. I ditched them and bought all new tools, since they were old and questionable, so the rust wouldn't spread.

However, the bottom of the compartment is rust laden and I want to know what's the best thing to use to clean it up. I'm planning to use vinegar, but know this could be caustic to the new tools.

What should I use?

 

[FoMoCoPower]

Your plastic toolbox is starting to rust?

 

[78Bird]

Uhh... if the trays are plastic, just wash them out.

If you are getting rust, you must have some moisture there... Use a vinegar solution to de-rust all the tools and give them all an oily rag wipedown once clean and dry.

Rust isn't like a bacteria, it's not catching like that. The problem is that rust is very hydroscopic and attracts moisture, making it worse, and it's a vicious cycle. No need to throw away good tools just because of a little rust, just de-rust and protect them

 

[Dennis The Menace]

Your plastic toolbox is starting to rust?

The bottom of one of the compartments is cover with it, like I said. I had an old file that was starting to rust, and didn't think much about it. I stored a bottle of Break Free on top of it, and must have dripped some oil on it over the years. Rust came off and dried up on the bottom.

Uhh... if the trays are plastic, just wash them out.

If you are getting rust, you must have some moisture there...

Water in Break Free?

Use a vinegar solution to de-rust all the tools and give them all an oily rag wipedown once clean and dry.

Vinegar on the tools? Isn't it caustic? Cleaning off the vinegar prevents that, I guess?

Rust isn't like a bacteria, it's not catching like that. The problem is that rust is very hydroscopic and attracts moisture, making it worse, and it's a vicious cycle. No need to throw away good tools just because of a little rust, just de-rust and protect them

The tools ****, anyway. I'll give them away, though. Already got replacements on the way. I was looking for an excuse to purchase some new tools.

 

[mrholeshot]

Wipe as much as you can get out of it and then take some WD40 and use it to clean out the rest. If the box is something like yellow or other light color it may stain the plastic a little.