Effect on pool chemicals on tools

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I belong to a pool forum and we have all noticed that tools seem to rust a lot faster if they are stored in our pool sheds with chlorine, even tabs in a bucket are usually "open" and leach fumes. Any thoughts on this?

One project of mine is to rescue some rusty tools left in my shed. Higher quality tools like vise-grips etc. are rusted & ruined by this effect.

What are your preferred ways to rescue rusted tools?

 

[GRX]

It will definitely rust more quickly, as you have discovered. In chemistry, Chlorine is what's known as a "primary oxidant". Attacks many metals. Even Gold which is immune to most other attacks. This is the reason why prongs in jewelry such as rings that hold precious stones are coated with Rhodium since it is immune to Chlorine's influence.

Best bet protecting your tools would be to vent Chloride gasses from the shed with a fan or two. Coating with oil will also help in the same way it protects from atmospheric moisture.

As for our pool, the Chlorine biscuits are stored in tightly sealed buckets in the short pump enclosure which has lattice sides.

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I may buy a seperate vinyl storage locker just for chlorine. What aggravates me is the chlorine also rusted the subpanel and the metal door on it actually fell off. I like to have this sort of thing looking in good condition, not looking like it'd be unsafe.

 

[M6erfan]

Yes chlorine ions will rust some metals including stainless steel

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Its amazing what a drop of PH-down and a wipe with steel wool can do to rust and brake dust.

Gloves, goggles, not on anything 'nice' etc.etc.

 

[Davefr]

Chlorine is extremely bad at causing rust. Even if it's in sealed plastic containers. I agree that you need to store the chlorine away from anything ferrous.

To clean up rust buy a pail of feed grade mollases and cut it around 10:1 with water and let the items soak. Check the progress after a week.

 

[stonesfan68]

I had the same problem when I stored my pool chemicals inside the garage. I bought some sealed Rubbermaid-type containers and put the chemicals outdoors.

 

[toolmutt]

I once had a vise with no rust inadvertently stored near a closed bucket of chlorine tabs. Amazing how fast the vise was heavily rusted.

 

[Pipe]

Treat tools with oil based lubricant before and after use?

 

[Bobcat753]

Chlorine stored in a shed with metal is the worst. The stuff will make ANY metal rust/corrode. I had the pool stuff stored in the shed until I realized everything was rusting. Even cast the cast aluminum engine blocks on the lawn mowers started to corrode. I learned that lesson and now the pool chemicals stay outside in rubbermaid containers.

 

[DanielC99]

Years ago worked as an industrial electrician on a new sewer plant. We had just finished up wiring the alarms for the chlorine building when the idiots turned on the chlorine. I guess that was their plumbing test. Alarms went crazy, we ran like hell and left our tools. Once the all clear was given we went back to retrieve our tools. Everything was rusted to hell. Chlorine is bad, and doesn't take long to do it's damage.

 

[MShaw]

Nearly as bad was the liquid they fill tractor tires with. It's a water base with calcium chloride for antifreeze. Nasty stuff.

 

[My Old Tools]

It will also eat the shed if it is metal.