Newbie question: Oily new sockets

[pilau]

Just received my first set of sockets - TopTul 1/2".

Came on a beefy rail. They feel superb and look the part. Etched labels are large and clear. The length falls somewhere between short and long. Nice middle ground for all purpose work.

I tried searching about this but so many other topics come up. The sockets are covered in a thin layer of oil all over and inside out. I assume this is normal and to protect the sockets against rust in storage. But now that I have them, am I supposed to clean them? Because just holding one in my hand gets my hand greasy. As I'm writing this, reading my own words, I feel like the answer is obvious, but I'm new to this world and thought maybe there's a common rule or something.

Thanks!

 

[thesilverone]

Yeah they can be cleaned. What was the shipping cost to ship to the moon?

 

[pilau]

Lower than you'd think!

What should I clean them with? WD40? (ok, bad joke). Is dish soap enough? Or not strong enough?

 

[Greeny]

I just wipe mine with a rag or paper towel. If they're really grunged with grease then they get wiped down with something to cut grease or even run through the parts cleaner.

 

[Handyandy23]

I agree with just wiping with a rag. It's completely up to you how perfectly clean you want your tools, but I personally think a thin coating of oil is good to have on them to prevent rust. If you wipe off the excess it'll leave just enough on the sockets that it'll help protect but not get all over your hands when you use them.

 

[3jakes]

I wouldn't wash them with water. Why introduce them to rust?
If they are really slimy, I't just spray a rag with some carb cleaner & wipe down both sides of the sockets as they sit on the rail.
I'd let the insides alone. It will start to rust there soon enough.
Good enough for me but maybe not for thee.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I do use WD-40 to clean and wipe down before they get put away. Used a bunch on my Sequoia this weekend, got dirty, grab a rag, spray it WD40, and wipe all tools down. Been that way for years.

 

[uncwstudent]

You can just clean them with a diluted degreaser and then give them a light coating of dry oil.

 

[uncwstudent]

I do. I coat all of my steel, chrome, etc. hand tools with a layer of oil just to protect them from rust. I go back every few months and re-coat them. You can use either a wet oil or dry oil and its really just up to your preference.

 

[pilau]

And it doesn't bother you when you're working with said tools? Aren't they too slippery when in use?

What kind of oil are using usually? If I get my oils right, dry oil is the kind that dries to a thin, slippery coat on the tool instead of keeping to liquid form, right?

 

[Earl Grey]

I usually give tools a spray / squirt of Boeshield T-9 and then wipe down before putting away. It leaves a very thin, dry coat.

 

[visionguru]

Just received my first set of sockets - TopTul 1/2".

Came on a beefy rail. They feel superb and look the part. Etched labels are large and clear. The length falls somewhere between short and long. Nice middle ground for all purpose work.

I tried searching about this but so many other topics come up. The sockets are covered in a thin layer of oil all over and inside out. I assume this is normal and to protect the sockets against rust in storage. But now that I have them, am I supposed to clean them? Because just holding one in my hand gets my hand greasy. As I'm writing this, reading my own words, I feel like the answer is obvious, but I'm new to this world and thought maybe there's a common rule or something.

Thanks!

Where did you buy Toptul?
There is no point to clean the oil totally (which is easy by spraying brake parts cleaner and let it dry). I would just wipe the outside with paper towel and be done with it.

 

[pilau]

Where did you buy Toptul?

https://motointegrator.de

They ship to several countries in Europe, but I don't know about the States. I happened to be in Germany this week so jumped on the opportunity after recommendations here in GJ. I bought a 1/2" telescopic ratchet, sockets, wrenches (incl. 2 ratchet wrenches), and a T-handle to kick start my toolbox. All feel like superb tools.

 

[Spacey_G]

I wouldn't go crazy oiling chrome hand tools (nor would I go crazy de-oiling them. Just give 'em a wipe with a rag to take the excess off). The chrome is there to prevent corrosion and it works well when it's intact. Covering every square inch with oil will just make them frustrating to use. Rust is more of a problem when they're worn in.

Other tools that have bare steel like pliers deserve a light coat of oil even when they're new.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Brake clean if you want them super clean. I normally jus wipe them down in a rag, and let the natural dirt in the environment get rid of it. If it's a tacky/sticky oil, like a fiilm or fine grease, then yes wd40, then a rag.

 

[Alaniho]

https://motointegrator.de

They ship to several countries in Europe, but I don't know about the States. I happened to be in Germany this week so jumped on the opportunity after recommendations here in GJ. I bought a 1/2" telescopic ratchet, sockets, wrenches (incl. 2 ratchet wrenches), and a T-handle to kick start my toolbox. All feel like superb tools.

good prices on this website for quality tools, you could pick up a lot of stuff for even €100

 

[pilau]

https://motointegrator.de

I bought a 1/2" telescopic ratchet, sockets, wrenches (incl. 2 ratchet wrenches), and a T-handle to kick start my toolbox. All feel like superb tools.

good prices on this website for quality tools, you could pick up a lot of stuff for even €100

True, and since I'm just starting out I limited myself to €50 budget ($55) so yes, incredible bang for buck

 

[paulsomlo]

Do not clean them - you'll void the warranty!!!

 

[ChrisLS8]

This is actually being discussed.... Sometimes I swear this forum is bonkers

 

[Professional Tool User]

Oily sockets, especially impact ones are perfectly normal. Just wipe it off.

 

[bob15]

I usually put oily sockets in the dishwasher for cleaning. Using Finish rinse-aid helps keep the water spots off the sides of the sockets and makes them shiner too.

 

[rustbucket5]

i leave the oil on unless it starts to pick up dirt and shmuck

 

[pilau]

Just typing out this post is a waste of brain cells.

Jesus, I now need to get hospitalized for poisoning with the levels of toxicity here. Not everybody are seasoned professionals like your esteemed selves.

Feel free to stop wasting your noxious brain cells on this thread.

 

[bwringer]

OMFG, you took them out of the packaging?

You TOUCHED them already???? With bare hands????????!??!?!?!!!?

You've ruined the value!

 

[uncwstudent]

Jesus, I now need to get hospitalized for poisoning with the levels of toxicity here. Not everybody are seasoned professionals like your esteemed selves.

Feel free to stop wasting your noxious brain cells on this thread.

I second that.

 

[DFB]

Do not clean them - you'll void the warranty!!!

 

[CR888]

Garage Journal....'the place where grown men learn to clean oil off their sockets'. Many man cards need clipping in this thread. That's the problem with common sense, when you have some viewing the world can be painful at times. Its something not all of us possess.

 

[6PTsocket]

I usually give tools a spray / squirt of Boeshield T-9 and then wipe down before putting away. It leaves a very thin, dry coat.

Anither vote for Boeshield T9. After the solvents evaporate, the residue seems to be some type of wax. Is it even available in Germany, where the OP lives, when he is not on the Moon?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Earl Grey]

Anither vote for Boeshield T9. After the solvents evaporate, the residue seems to be some type of wax. Is it even available in Germany, where the OP lives, when he is not on the Moon?

Yes, I believe it's just paraffin. But the formulation with solvents helps it get on / in everywhere.

I can't speak to German or Lunar availability though.

 

[Citation]

If the tool is too oily wipe off with a dry cloth/paper towel. If the tool is truly dry, add a bit of WD-40 to cloth then wipe tools. I want a thin layer of oil on my garage tools to avoid rust. My garage is not climate controlled. A humid day after a cold night + an open door is a great way to get condensation on tools.

 

[pilau]

No snowflake, I don't think I will. It's obvious I need to elaborate and unhurt your feelings.

My response was not meant to be rude or offensive, nor an insult. You asked a seemingly non-complex question with an obvious, basic and common sense answer. Let's not forget the end of your original post...

I don't get why you're still wasting your brain cells (to use your own words buddy) to prove some stranger on the internet (ie. me) is wrong. Did I offend you with my non-complex question with an obvious answer? Don't you have anything better to do? I'm here to learn.

 

[ddawg16]

Guys.....at one point or another, ALL of us had similar questions. Not all of us had the benefit of growing up with a brother or dad who was a grease monkey.....

I can understand why he posted the question. If you go to a big box store, those tools do NOT have a coating of oil. Hence, I get why the OP asked the question.

Me? I was pumping gas at 5 years old....repairing flats at 8....but I still learn something new every day.

Just remember, we learn by our mistakes....that is why some of us are so ******* smart.

 

[ngk22r]

Leave the oil on, add more oil when it starts looking a little thirsty. Rusty is not trusty