Protecting Tools from Saltwater Corrosion

[JoeyMitch]

How do you guys do it? I work on boats and I'm not dunking my tools underwater but I think it's just the salty air and sometimes spray from saltwater. I have many rusted screwdrivers and pliers from it. I rubbed them with 6-56 once but it seemed that they got sticky and collected dust and dirt. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[Givl Reggin]

I have used these for years to hold gear on the boat... you won't be sorry, these things are built tough and they truly are waterproof.
http://www.pelicancases.com/
Why Pelican? Pelican manufactures the toughest airtight and waterproof protective cases on the planet.

 

[Wakefield]

Boeshield?

 

[JoeyMitch]

Boeshiald I have also tried. Seemed to be more sticky than 6-56!!! Was thinking of WD-40 but that is water based.

 

[bad_idea]

I have the same issue with my work tools working in ship repair. Mine routinely take a salt water bath though. I haven't found a good fix yet. Curious to hear the opinion of GJ.

 

[andywander]

Boeshiald I have also tried. Seemed to be more sticky than 6-56!!! Was thinking of WD-40 but that is water based.

Who told you WD-40 is water-based?

 

[firebox40dash5]

Who told you WD-40 is water-based?

Well, it's only one word off from the right answer, "water-displacing". Kerosene in an aerosol can.

 

[Monte]

right tools for the job....

www.gedoretools.com

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

right tools for the job....

www.gedoretools.com

That'd work great until the coating got scratched through - and then ****, ball of rust. All it takes is very little salt water infiltration below the coating, and it'll wick under the intact coating through capillary action. We see it all the time here at work during salt spray/fog tests.

The best method I can think of would be a clear lacquer on as much of the tool as possible; but, that falls susceptible to the same problem as the Gedore stuff - a corrosion-resistant coating only works as long as it stays intact. It gets even harder on things that move, like pliers - even if you coat the joints, simply by using the tool you're eventually going to wear through that coating.

 

[5lima30]

Try a good quality gun lube. Having worked as a cop in a SE coastal area I used CLP spray lube on my guns and never had any corrosion problems. CLP worked good, but I have since discovered that a 50/50 mix of Mobil 1 and Marvel Mystery oil works even better. It should work well on tools as well. Good luck!

 

[woody 73]

You are not going to like my answer because it involves having JP Morgans bank account but here it goes...

Many years ago I found myself looking at the tools of a small hardware store and just about every mechanic hand tool was made out of stainless steel; now the light bulb in my head went off because it had not occurred to me that this store was right next to a boat marina and that means rust 24/7.

Turns out just about every boat owner came into that small shop and bought those tools to keep on their boats year round. So if you have deep pockets and JP Morgan is in your Family then you will have it made!

 

[marcone]

Stainless steel like Hazet Hinox (comes only in 1/4 drive from what I know)? If not Titanium (Koken has a titanium socket set) but that's really offensive in terms of pricing.

 

[dirtydogintex]

Try either
a very, very, very light coating of Royal Purple grease (preferrable) or motor oil
or
several coats of PB Blaster (Penetrating Catalyst) allowing them to dry between coats.
PB Blaster makes WD look like water in many applications!!

I'm certain other things work but I kept/keep these around and most importantly, they worked for us when I lived at the beach....

 

[wornoutoldman]

Fluid Film

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

Problem with stainless is that it's inherently not as strong as regular carbon-steel tools, and they're inordinately expensive.

One problem with the oil/grease coatings is that they may make tools like wrenches exceptionally slippery, especially when you toss water into the mix.

 

[oilfieldtrash4]

I work around saltwater in my line of work. Tools are always getting saltwater baths. Best thing you can do is clean your tools after each use (light oil wipedown). You won't keep them 100% rust free but you can keep them nice.

 

[sharkytm]

I work on research boats, I've found that if you are on control of your tools 100% of the time, and are diligent about it, you can keep them in decent shape with just a WD40 wipe-down after use.

However, I've found that because I'm usually part of a team, often not on every job, and other people don't care. Guess what all our field tools are: Harbor Freight.

They all sink the same.

 

[mikebramel]

fluid film

 

[Gabastone]

PB Blaster doesn't work very well at preventing rust.

Every Friday after work, I wipe down my tools before heading home. I keep some Super Lube on a rag, and it only takes 15 minutes. It has worked well in Chicago.

 

[Givl Reggin]

"Fine Woodworking" did a test of ways to prevent rust on cast iron earlier this year...

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/2456/40140770.png

http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/7043/59971111.png

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/5632/27153409.png

The results may surprise you.

 

[highclassjunkman]

Chainwax?

 

[Shadowdog500]

I live near the ocean and the boat mechanics I know never clean the grease off of their tools. Their tools look cruddy but not rusty.

I've had several Grady white boats that stayed slipped in salt water. My personal observation was that my crafstman and snap on tools would rust. But my old SK tools would not.

Chris

 

[jonb347]

if you want a quick easy treatment use amsoil metal protecter

 

[greasemonkey44]

if you want a quick easy treatment use amsoil metal protecter

That spray on MP/ chain lube
its the bomb i use it alot

i would try fluid film too; i hear it can work miracles on corrosion

 

[vga]

when I was in the navy and sailing merchant marines we washed each tool down with fresh water and dried it by wiping it down after use on anything related to sea water, condensers, circ pumps, condenser pumps , ect, ect.