Protectant

[mogandave]

I have a chest of mechanics tools I do not really use anymore and it stinks of sour grease and whatnot. I am going through the tools and getting everything cleaned up, but what do you guys recommend as a tool protectant for longer term storage that does not stink and that is not a nightmare to clean off? A lot of it I probably will not use again and I do not want it turning to cr*p.

As it stands, I'm planning on using synthetic motor oil as I already have a good bit or it.

Thanks!

 

[bonneyman]

Hmm. Longer term storage that doesn't smell and is easy to get off. Tough combination of requirements.
I remember my dad talking about cosmoline and it's tenacious protecting ability. But I know it's a bear to get off. And most oils don't seem to last. Though a synthetic motor oil is probably as good as any from a qualities perspective.

I use Ballistol gun oil for short term protection (i.e. daily use tools). A bit of a weird smell but no problems with toxicity concerns and it worked well in that situation. For long term storage I use a marine type waterproof (blue) grease. A bit of a pain to get off after a month lets say but no rust. I used it on evap cooler shafts when new so - if I ever had to remove it - I wasn't fighting years of rust. Worked like a champ.
I'd have to recommend SuperLube grease at the end of the day. Easy to use, a good layer should protect your tools, not bad smelling and fairly easy to degrease.

 

[mogandave]

I like SuperLube, but I want to soak the ratchets and whatnot overnight.

 

[American Locomotive]

I like fluid film. It lasts and works very well. It does smell at first, but if you let the tools air out for a few days before putting them away, the smell goes away.

But some food for thought: If it's stuff you self-admit will never use again, why are you even keeping it? Is there a point to keeping things you won't use? Don't you think it probably makes more sense to unload the tools you know you'll never use again to an enterprising young start-up mechanic? That would make the most sense to me, so you would no longer have to worry about tools you don't use getting rusty.

 

[1cargarage]

You could get a roll of VCI (volatile corrosion inhibitor) paper (wax lined paper available for further protection) and wrap them all up tight.

VCI paper does its job best when you wrap the part/tool, put it away, and LEAVE IT ALONE.

VCI paper + shrink wrap / large ziplocs + cardboard box / plastic storage bin should get you where you want to go. With no mess to clean up

 

[JradM]

I like fluid film.

Me too. That's what I would use unless you're planning to bury a box of tools in the woods for the post-apocalypse. Just depends on how extreme you want to go.

 

[abt12]

Boeshield t9 will stink while it dries but then leaves a thin film of wax that protects damn well.

 

[BTJHP]

If the surface is smooth I like Johnsons paste wax.

For a liquid I use Break Free Collector

 

[RickyPetite]

I use 2 different corrosion protection products.

CRC Heavy duty corrosion inhibitor - Rumor is that it is old-fashioned cosmoline. It looks like watery, yellow mustard when wet. I use it on anything that sits outside like my generator and riding mower. Most affordable option, plus, I pass the factory on my way to work so supporting CRC seems like the right choice.

WD-40 Specialist - Drys clear. More expensive/oz. I use it on tools etc. Not greasy. Works great.

RB

 

[scooby074]

LPS2. Leaves a thin film. Easy to remove. Smells OK. Ive sprayed it on $100,000+ molds for storage and my company could have choosen any other chemical instead if they wanted. Works good.

VCI paper/emitters if you want a belt and suspenders approach. Its particularly good for precision tools.

 

[Whitworth]

LPS-3

Sprays on, dries to a thick waxy coating.

 

[mogandave]

I like fluid film. It lasts and works very well. It does smell at first, but if you let the tools air out for a few days before putting them away, the smell goes away.

But some food for thought: If it's stuff you self-admit will never use again, why are you even keeping it? Is there a point to keeping things you won't use? Don't you think it probably makes more sense to unload the tools you know you'll never use again to an enterprising young start-up mechanic? That would make the most sense to me, so you would no longer have to worry about tools you don't use getting rusty.

I'm getting rid of a ton of ****, but some of them are a little like old friends, and it's fun going through them.

I'm sure I'll use the odd tool now and then, and while my son has no interest now, he may at some point.

Tried finding Fluid Film but it does not seem be available here (Thailand).

 

[mogandave]

Boeshield t9 will stink while it dries but then leaves a thin film of wax that protects damn well.

Do you know if you can thin it? The coating ends up a little thicker than I like when I have dipped fishing stuff.

 

[GTO]

You can try PB Blaster Surface Shield.

 

[seber]

Boeshield is paraffin wax in a solvent carrier. Once on, it will not evaporate like LPS-9 or WD40. It is not sticky and can be washed off with any solvent. Not the cheapest, but good forever and very effective. I make my own with acetone and paraffin but it takes a really good spray bottle to make it work.

 

[mike93lx]

Fluidflim works great, but smells like sheep due to it using lanolin. I would not want my toolbox smelling like that.