Protecting tools after rust removal/media blasting

[chilly460]

I have some very crusty old wrenches that I want to clean up, can easily media blast them or could use electrolysis to clean them up. My question is what can I do to keep them rust free after they're cleaned? Obviously can't paint something like this as it won't hold up, any options?

 

[gdocktor3]

Caranuba wax or soak in oil. I painted a few of my rusty, larger dbe wrenches with a primer and then coated everything but the inside boxes with rustoleum truck bed liner. Now they have a nice grippy texture and haven't rusted through since.

 

[Warrenator]

Electrolysis, followed by a scrub with a scotch brite pad WHILE THEY ARE STILL WET will leave a pretty nice finish that is not super prone to re-rusting. I would go ahead and paint them, yeah it will get scratched up but mostly will protect the tool. Or you could:
1. Store them very well in a dry place, with camphor blocks or rust inhibitor paper
2. Oil or grease them.
3. Use them frequently

I don't vote for media blasting, my Dad had some very rare collectible wrenches media blasted and to this day they are rough feeling, prone to rust, and whenever I pick one up I think, jeez, he ruined these.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

A gallon can of WD40 to refill the two WD40 bottles with hand pumps.. / cheap and simple way that works good for Me.

 

[dirt_dobber]

Vaseline rub on then wipe off has worked for me for years.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Fluid Film,....

 

[losvre]

Are all these recommendations for tools stored long term or tools that will be used frequently?

Wouldn't make the the tools slippery for everyday use?

Thanks

Sent from my HTC Desire 620 using Tapatalk

 

[jchetty]

Are all these recommendations for tools stored long term or tools that will be used frequently?

Wouldn't make the the tools slippery for everyday use?

Thanks

Sent from my HTC Desire 620 using Tapatalk

Fluid Film doesn't make it slippery. Rather it is somewhat tacky- but not too sticky. I love Fluid Film- in the process of cleaning up some old Craftsman sockets and Fluid Film is awesome.

 

[losvre]

Fluid Film doesn't make it slippery. Rather it is somewhat tacky- but not too sticky. I love Fluid Film- in the process of cleaning up some old Craftsman sockets and Fluid Film is awesome.

Thanks for the feedback

Sent from my HTC Desire 620 using Tapatalk

 

[Derek420]

You can soak them in vinegar for awhile it will give them a finish a lot of knife makers do this or lint seed oil or lard or any oil with low flash rateand heat like black smiths do and have done since middle ages to suits of armor, both turns them back I do both but vinegar is easiest and turns them jet black and last for quite awhile and on top of it I put light oil on them and look great like black oxide or you can just use silver or chrome spray paint and hope for the best if you don't like black..

 

[roblouvasz]

I stumbled on a technique I'v used for a couple of years. First I media blast the parts and then run them on a bench grinder with a wire wheel or a right angle die grinder with a wire wheel. It kind of polishes the surface. Then I wipe on some Gibbs protectorant.

 

[mikebaker1129]

Parkerizing
Zinc or manganese phosphate . Heat to 180 degrees insert your sand blasted parts,they will start to fizz,when the parts/ tools stop fizzing ,they are done dry them off with air and wipe down with oil.
The military has used this on firearms for years.
Zinc can be found pretty cheap on eBay.

 

[mbshop]

I just coat stuff prone to rust with lps 2 and so far so good. I guess most anything that blocks moisture will do. Also try 3 in 1 oil. Stuff is good. Use it on my guns.

 

[kctyphoon]

http://www.lpslabs.com/product-details/612

LPS-3 corrosion and rust inhibitor.

If these are things like wrenches, where your hands will contact the bare metal, not sure you'll enjoy having them soak in something.. you can always just spray them with flat/satin clear urethane.. at least that way you can handle them and only the small pieces that actually contact the fasteners will wear off.. I believe channellock does something similar or even the same to their stuff.. no matter what you put on will wear off in area it contacts fasteners anyway - so u might as well make it something quick and easy to recoat.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Back about 20 or so years ago, #1 son was always "helping" whenever I was working on a project.

When we finished, I always wiped the hand tools down with a shop towel and a squirt of WD-40 before putting them away. He declared that his job was to "wash" the tools. To this day, I've never had a rust problem

 

[555]

http://www.ridingvintage.com/2014/08/how-to-parkerize-motorcycle-parts.html

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

I slap some oil on them, wipe them down, and use them. No problems.

 

[rsanter]

Electrolysis is better than blasting IMO.

After that you can gun blue them, or you can do some dIY plating to protect them.

Also, if you use phosphoric acid to do the rust removal they will be left with a grey coating that will offer some rust resistance

Bob

 

[Chief919]

In Afghanistan I watched the locals do an oil black finish by heating tools up, not enough to affect temper, and then dousing them in used motor oil. Some would then pull them out and set the oil coating them on fire.

Dirty work, but it made a pretty durable finish for using what they had. They also commonly did it on firearms.

 

[Fretters]

Wipe with an oily rag occasionally else apply some type of wax. Even bog standard shoe polish makes a good protective finish.

 

[KenC]

Dip in boiled linseed oil, wipe off leaving just a light film of oil and let dry. That light film will dry(don't use raw linseed oil, it won't dry) leaving fairly tough 'skin'. This can be renewed when it wears off.

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

Boeshield. Developed by Boeing. I use it in our shop on all raw metal surfaces. You can spray and let dry for a thicker film (not for handling, more for long term exposure) or spray on a shop towel and wipe down the tool. Great stuff, but fairly pricey.