cvcman
Well-known member
it seems like when I turn my heat on in the cold garage the tool boxes and tools get condensation all over them. Anyway to stop the rust ?? My buddy has felt liners and sprays the felt ith WD40
what to do to stop tools from rusting
- Thread starter cvcman
- Start date
dfndr
Well-known member
You could move to California. We get very little rust.
Yeah, I noticed some surface rust on an old Craftsman crescent wrench that has been sitting in a nice box supposedly dry box here in Chicago for a couple of years. It lived decades in a five gallon bucket with other tools in my Dad's garage in So Cal without a spec of rust.
Oh well, at least the tools hold up here better than the cars. I really need to make it back to the West Coast.
BigK600
Well-known member
I have the same problem. I've proably spend over 500 bucks on tools since chrismas which is alot to me since I'm a college student. Its mostly Cman stuff and harbor freight stuff. Anyways just a couple days ago I notice that my Cman 15mm stocket had little pits of rust all over 
. For some reason my Cman thin profile 3/8" ratchet gets a ton of rust all over the part where the socket snaps on. My Cman ratcheting wrenchs seem to hold up fine, as with some of my good old Stanley wrenchs. Some of my harbor freight pliers, the pittsburg professional ones, got pits of rust and other ones dont. Tomorrow I think I'm going to get some Remington gun oil and lighty rub oil all over my tools, as if I was oiling up a gun. The thing is, is some stuff is rusting and other stuff is not rusting at all, and all of my tools are kept in the same box out in my apartment garage.
. For some reason my Cman thin profile 3/8" ratchet gets a ton of rust all over the part where the socket snaps on. My Cman ratcheting wrenchs seem to hold up fine, as with some of my good old Stanley wrenchs. Some of my harbor freight pliers, the pittsburg professional ones, got pits of rust and other ones dont. Tomorrow I think I'm going to get some Remington gun oil and lighty rub oil all over my tools, as if I was oiling up a gun. The thing is, is some stuff is rusting and other stuff is not rusting at all, and all of my tools are kept in the same box out in my apartment garage.back2class
Well-known member
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This is why machinists often have wood boxes. The wood acts to prevent condensation on tools. Works well too! I had one oak chest full of machine tools stored in a barn for 4 years. They all came out looking like they day they were put in. The stuff in my sttel box that sat on the same property got surface rust. Nothing too serious but enough to stain the drawer liners and warrant tool cleanup with wool or wire wheel. Chrome is the best answer as is a coat of oil just like guns. I do not think much can be done about it in a shop with big temp swings but they have products for gun safes that may work for toolboxes. I imagine it is much worse near the shore or damp places like Washington.
BigK600
Well-known member
One thing I would like to know is what kind of finish does Cman put on their sockets compaired to other brands? Seems most of my rusting is happening on 3/8" Cman sockets. However my 1/4" Cman sockets look brand new, no rust at all. I know some metals rust more than other. Tomorrow I'll have to check my other tools to see if their rusting.
skeletonizer
Well-known member
Doesn't living there corrode the soul?
that, and no rust on tools are two good reasons to live here. Beyond that...uh... I'll get back to you guys!
superautobacs
Well-known member
"Originally developed by the Boeing Co. for the protection of aircraft parts, this penetrating formula not only displaces water, but also dries to a waxy (not oily) film that protects metals from corrosion for months.
An excellent lubricant, it will not attract wood dust or chips as an oil-based lubricant can. It is an ideal treatment for tools intended for storage, particularly in damp conditions. "
Amsoil HD metal protector goes on & dries to a fairly hard waxy coat which will protect whatever it's on from rust. DO NOT use it on the screw part of an adjustable wrench, did that once & had to take it off with solvent to be able to turn it. I have used it on my table saw during the winter & had no rust in the spring. Also works well on snow blower augers & chutes & under lawn mower decks to keep grass & snow from sticking to them.
Couldn't you get some desiccant to **** up the moisture? Also I would say invest in good chrome plating should help some, chrome tools I think would have less rust on them then just polished metal or some other type of finish. Also the tools that are rusting is that were the finish has worn off, like the part of the ratchet where the socket attaches? I live in AZ and we also don't see a lot of rust, so that isn't a problem here, but I would use air tight containers with desiccant. Make the air dry, would be an idea, but not sure what that would cost.
redsky49
Well-known member
I've used three different products, based on degree of protection required:
Dupont Teflon Multi-Use Dry Wax Lubricant. This provides a modest amount of protection and works well for motorcycle chains, garage doors and garden tools, etc. Very cost effective and dries to a thin film, plus seems to have plenty of other applications around the house and garage.
Boeshield T-9. Similar to the Dupont product but at much higher price. A little bit thinner material so it gets better penetration and also dries to a thin film. Seems to last/protect somewhat better than the Dupont product.
Corrosion Block. This is more of an oil treatment. The initial application goes on quite oily, but the solvents evaporate and leave a coating that is only slightly oily. This has provided the best long term protection.
I live in eastern North Carolina where it is pretty humid as well as being close to the (salt air) ocean, so I see plenty of opportunities for rust. Regular use of either of the first two products works pretty well for the garage tools. For marine use, only the Corrosion Block has been of any use, and even then, rust is a continuous battle.
My best strategy has been to minimize the exposure of any ferrous material tool to as little air as possible. Wrenches treated, in tool wraps, in tool box with the lid closed. The quality of chrome plating also is important, as is cleaning tools before putting away. In the end though, unless treated like a museum piece, rust will win out. I was on my boat this week and noticed that the nose piece of an electric drill had rusted despite my best efforts.
I suspect that members that have experienced a lot of tool rust are those that heat their garages, turn off the heat when not in the garage, and then turn the heat back on, resulting in excessive condensation on the tools.
Forever vigilant. Your only choice.
Dupont Teflon Multi-Use Dry Wax Lubricant. This provides a modest amount of protection and works well for motorcycle chains, garage doors and garden tools, etc. Very cost effective and dries to a thin film, plus seems to have plenty of other applications around the house and garage.
Boeshield T-9. Similar to the Dupont product but at much higher price. A little bit thinner material so it gets better penetration and also dries to a thin film. Seems to last/protect somewhat better than the Dupont product.
Corrosion Block. This is more of an oil treatment. The initial application goes on quite oily, but the solvents evaporate and leave a coating that is only slightly oily. This has provided the best long term protection.
I live in eastern North Carolina where it is pretty humid as well as being close to the (salt air) ocean, so I see plenty of opportunities for rust. Regular use of either of the first two products works pretty well for the garage tools. For marine use, only the Corrosion Block has been of any use, and even then, rust is a continuous battle.
My best strategy has been to minimize the exposure of any ferrous material tool to as little air as possible. Wrenches treated, in tool wraps, in tool box with the lid closed. The quality of chrome plating also is important, as is cleaning tools before putting away. In the end though, unless treated like a museum piece, rust will win out. I was on my boat this week and noticed that the nose piece of an electric drill had rusted despite my best efforts.
I suspect that members that have experienced a lot of tool rust are those that heat their garages, turn off the heat when not in the garage, and then turn the heat back on, resulting in excessive condensation on the tools.
Forever vigilant. Your only choice.
Jim Stabe
Well-known member
I bought a one lb jar of anhydrous lanolin off the internet years ago and it works really well to prevent rust. Unless it is warm, it is really stiff and hard to apply. What I finally did was to heat some up and soak a piece of heavy flannel with it. I keep the flannel in a Ziplock bag and wipe tools down after I use them. It leaves a slightly sticky film that can be removed with WD40 before use.
Works for me.
Jim
Works for me.
Jim
Sure, but the trick is I sold my soul years ago.
I prefer regular Amsoil MP in the white can, it doesnt leave a thick film and keeps chrome looking very nice
old salvage
Well-known member
You have to try lots of different things and see what works best on your tools in your environment.
Lots of folks here hate wd-40 and they base that detestment on actual experience.
I've got lots of vintage tools in my damp basement. The fact that most of them were rusty at one time makes them prone to re-rust but they have all been sitting in my basement and are no worse than after I cleaned them up.
Thats been my experience.
Try several different oils, wood or metal boxes etc.
Lots of folks here hate wd-40 and they base that detestment on actual experience.
I've got lots of vintage tools in my damp basement. The fact that most of them were rusty at one time makes them prone to re-rust but they have all been sitting in my basement and are no worse than after I cleaned them up.
Thats been my experience.
Try several different oils, wood or metal boxes etc.
CatfishXpress
Well-known member
Buy a Ford, you will spend so much time using your tools they have time to rust.
Has anyone tried putting something in their drawers to prevent rust rather than spraying down their tools?
Many tackle box manufacturers are using plastic inserts that are supposed to prevent rusty hooks. I remember seeing that coffin makers add magnesium strips to their product to prevent corrosion.
Many tackle box manufacturers are using plastic inserts that are supposed to prevent rusty hooks. I remember seeing that coffin makers add magnesium strips to their product to prevent corrosion.
what are you using for heat? That might be the issue.