What's your used tool cleanup finishing process

[Michael_in_DE]

So you've knocked the rust off, got the grease and dirt off, and cleaned it thoroughly. What do you use now?

I currently heat it up with a heat gun, and lay on a coating of froglube*, make sure it gets into every nook and crannie, let it cool, and wipe off the excess.

What do you guys use to finish/protect etc for new-to-you used tools? BLO? WD40?


FrogLube is from the firearms industry. It's a semisold that melts a bit under heat. It's non-toxic, smells good and you can even eat it. Great for cleaning and lubing guns in the kitchen instead of breathing in crazy solvents in the garage. Ex navy seal came up with it if that matters to you.

 

[cjarvis]

Frog lube is coconut oil with a dash of mint oil for scent.

I just wipe mine down with ATF or Birchwood Casey’s “Sheath”. Usually ATF.

 

[Tom White]

Frog lube is coconut oil with a dash of mint oil for scent.

I just wipe mine down with ATF or Birchwood Casey’s “Sheath”. Usually ATF.

Forgive me being dense here but....what is ATF?

The only way I'be seen those initials used is for Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms Dept.

 

[M6erfan]

Forgive me being dense here but....what is ATF?

The only way I'be seen those initials used is for Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms Dept.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

 

[Wamsutta]

Frog lube is coconut oil with a dash of mint oil for scent.

Is it really? Because those guys are paying a lot of money for it at the gun store. A lot cheaper in the baking aisle at Walmart.

 

[Michael_in_DE]

Frog lube is coconut oil with a dash of mint oil for scent.

I just wipe mine down with ATF or Birchwood Casey’s “Sheath”. Usually ATF.

Yes, I see that. That does not make it any less effective. And it is very effective.

ATF is is a good alternative. But it doesn't smell great, and can a bit too slimey, but it's hard to beat the price and availability.


Here is something incredibly interesting I found when looking at your ATF suggestion. It's an incredible anaylisis of 49 common Gun lube and protectants:

https://www.shootersforum.com/gun-c...=Shooters-Forum-Community-Bulletin-2014-05-07

Honestly I am not trying to sell froglube. I just wanted to see if there was any better ways.

 

[Tom White]

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Ha! OK, now I feel REALLY stupid. I should have known that.

 

[seber]

Kroil. It penetrates to surfaces I can't touch.

 

[M6erfan]

Kroil. It penetrates to surfaces I can't touch.

That's what I use too. Sometimes though I'll just do a quick wipe with light oil like 3 in 1.

 

[Oldsmobile]

Many years ago, I bought a gallon of WD-40 and a spray bottle. I've been using it up, slowly, on the flea market tools that come home for a bath in Evapo-Rust before their big date with the wire wheel. It seems to do an adequate job. One of these days I'll get adventurous and try the ATF or BLO.

 

[cjarvis]

Is it really? Because those guys are paying a lot of money for it at the gun store. A lot cheaper in the baking aisle at Walmart.

It is indeed coconut oil. See here:https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/02/21/froglube-is-probably-made-from-coconut-oil-not-frogs/

You’d just as well look up “FIREClean is Crisco” while you’re at it

 

[jwsia]

Fluid film

 

[RedneckWelder]

I wipe tools with light dirt and grease off with a cloth rag and throw them in the toolbox or heavily soiled tools get dumped in a five gallon bucket filled with solvent in the parts washer to soak for a bit while I clean up the rest of the bay

There is no time for anything more involved I have to clean my bay dump used oil and filters scrap parts ship cores and so on plus do my service reports

 

[tarmy]

Go on fabrication and techniques...to the thread called Before and After...a tool polishers heaven....lots of good stuff there...

 

[TarheelMechanic]

I spray on a light coat of "Tears from Unicorns" (Very expensive), wipe them down with only the finest Micro-Fiber cloth. The finishing touch is a light dusting with a feather duster made from the rarest of Peacock feathers found only in Africa.

 

[AmishFury]

i have a microfiber cloth that has a bunch of dried up chrome polish in it... after all the other steps i'll give the tool a quick wipe down with it

 

[shanny19]

that blue chrome polish that smells like ammonia puts the smoothest layer of tool-sturbating goodness on old wrenches

 

[WWheeler]

I keep a rag hanging by every box that I wipe my tools off with before I put them back. Every week or so I give the rag a spritz with Boeshield T-9. Same can has lasted me years.

If the tool was wet or covered in oil/grease/whatever else I use an air gun to blow them off and/or a different rag or rags to dry it off / clean it up first, then it gets wiped with the T-9 rag before getting put away.

 

[Gmonkee]

I found that having six belly dancers doing the antihumidity dance while others do sacred chants helps the high priest as he cleans the tools with silk clothes soaked in unicorn oil.

or I wipe the grungy ones down with any old oily rag before putting them up. Any handy oily rag will do really.

 

[TarheelMechanic]

I found that having six belly dancers doing the antihumidity dance while others do sacred chants helps the high priest as he cleans the tools with silk clothes soaked in unicorn oil.

or I wipe the grungy ones down with any old oily rag before putting them up. Any handy oily rag will do really.

Thanks for the belly dancer cleaning tip.
I will do a cost analysis to see if this is a cheaper method than my current one.
The cost of unicorn tears spray has really sky rocketed. Also, on my last Safari to Africa to capture the rare peacock for it feathers, I had a close encounter with Head Hunters that were looking to take me old noggin as a trophy back to mama.

 

[Lelandwelds]

I used to use ATF with lacquer thinner or acetone for penetrating oil until my oil can caught on fire. I switched from WD40 to any brand any weight full synthetic motor oil.

CORROSION X is better than anything around saltwater to stop corrosion. I use a lot of Break Free and Super Lube. Wheel bearing grease is under appreciated.

 

[Negen]

I stopped using wd40 years ago because for me it seems to be able to make anything it touches rust.

With old tools that need to be restored it it is really bad I soak in vinegar then wire wheel it sand paper by hand if needed then soak in a bucket full of marvels mystery oil. Then just wipe dry.

Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[BWS]

Texaco rustproof type L compound.Found a G can of it under the porch of a 1830's house.Pretty neat chit.Easily mistaken for cosmoline but....... not.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I lay them out gently on a flat surface where they can gather a protective coating of shop dust.

I baked some linseed oil on these ones first.