Preventing tool rust?

[jeff000]

I'm an electrician, and working in the field, sun, rain, snow. And my tools sometimes get wet, sometimes my whole bag gets wet.

I'm finding my tools starting to show signs of rust, more so on the less used tools.

Is there a wipe or spray I can use that will still allow me to use the tool without getting all oily?

 

[ilovevocs]

http://boeshield.com/

I also use http://www.corrosionx.com/corrosionx.html

 

[ken w.]

I've been using Scott's Liquid Gold spray wax on firearms and I've been putting it on some of my tools lately with good results. I wash them with Dawn dish soap and as hot as I can stand it water. I blow dry it with my air compressor and then spray the Liquid gold. I wipe in down and hang them so the wax will dry a bit. The important thing is to get the tool very warm.

 

[4x4gearhead]

My home set of tools used to get rusty in the winter time when Im too busy using my real tool set to use them. I started just giving them a coat of WD-40 before putting them away for the winter. This has proven to be a cost effective and easy way to preserve tool finish, Id imagine it wouldnt be hard to hit a few of your less used tools with the stuff and just give them a light wipe if you dont want the mess. I do the same with my impact sockets in the winter, the hot and cold day in and day out makes for a lot of condensation on my tools in the service van. For me I'd rather the tools be a little oily when I go to use them than be all sticky/greasy.

 

[jeff000]

http://boeshield.com/

I also use http://www.corrosionx.com/corrosionx.html

Those both look great.

Does that corrosion x leave an oily film?

 

[carcajou]

Fluid film works good

 

[ilovevocs]

Those both look great.

Does that corrosion x leave an oily film?

The corrosion x leaves a slight film but I'm very **** about the way my tools feel. Once you wipe them down its hardly noticeable. Even with a thick build of the material on infrequently used machine tools it doesn't irritate my skin or bother me when handled. I just use a rag to wipe my hands clean. The smell is pleasant and it doesn't have that oily feel that wd-40 does. No disrespect to the poster above, but wd-40 is just not for me. However, It is a cheaper solution and more readily available.

This said, for my construction tools, I treat them with the corrosion x as follows with good success. I use a husky fabric tool bag and I also attempt to avoid staining of the bag by transferring fluid from the tools. I remove all the tools from the tool bag and apply a generous coat of corrosion x on both sides. I allow the corrosion x to sit overnight. The following morning I wipe them clean and leave just a slight residue behind. On days that it rains directly on my tools, to the extent that they are visibly wet I repeat the above procedure. Slight rain or residue blowing off temporary protection above doesn't affect the finish adversely after treating with the above procedure. I often carry them in the rain to an area that is protected with out experiencing corrosion. Condensation also seems to have dramatically less impact then before with the technique above. I am very happy with the product. I coat all of my seasonal toys painted and plated parts with it prior to storage. After 3 seasons my snowmobiles look showroom new.

 

[c_mccann]

I spray lightly with Mineral Spirits. Cheap, cuts any salt, cleans off any grease or grime and leaves an oily coating. Has worked on the ocean boat's tools for many.

 

[tlevan03]

I like to use CRC 6-56. Its used for marine applications. You can find it at any boat shop. It works very well to take off surface rust and lube your tools.

 

[dede2897234]

Last month at a swap meet, I purchased a rusty 10" Armstrong C-clamp. I soaked it in Evapo-Rust. To prevent re-rusting, I sprayed the c-clamp with Gibbs lubricant (Gibbs on eBay) and let dry. It has been rust free for a month.

Dave

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

use them

 

[ilovevocs]

use them

That is a great approach for an auto tech or a machinist, but doesn't fly in the building trades in a four season climate.

 

[tomshep]

WD40. Lightly wipe them down. Cuts the grease but leaves a protective layer.

Tom

 

[rasman57]

Great results with spray DEEP CREEP. I think it is a Sea Foam Product.

 

[jeff000]

use them

I have a fully tooled truck, which allows me to do whatever I need to do when I am up to 15 hours drive from my house. I might only need to flip a breaker or replace a fuse. I might be commissioning for two months not using my tools at all, but I still need them.

 

[crewchief888]

That is a great approach for an auto tech or a machinist, but doesn't fly in the building trades in a four season climate.

good thing we only have 2 seasons here,
hot and cold