How to keep tools from rusting

[Ehwnnc]

I dont turn wrenches anymore so my tools and box are in the garage and ive noticed some surface rust on some of them. I have thousands of dollars in tools and hate to see them get rusty. Does anyone know of any tricks to keep rust from forming. I know people say just use them or WD 40 but i dont want my tools being greasy.

[keepittrill]

Rust-Eze bumper ointment should do the trick!

[Mr Tonka]

keep a bag of desiccant in the drawers.

[bimmerfrk]

keep them submerged in you favorite cooking oil

I prefer Canola oil.

[kmarei]

you can use lemon juice to remove most rust
I did that on the tool set in my E30, they look brand new
I soak them for 1-2 hours, depending on how rusty they are
and before I take them out I heat up the toaster
I take them out, wash them with soap and water
then put them in the pre-heated toaster
that way any remaining moisture evaporates.

[Maestro]

All I can say is cheap tools,

My tools are over 20 yrs older they been in my garage the entire time and non of them have rust on them, but all my tools are either Craftsman or Snap-on. My garage is not climate controlled either so it open to the all the weather changes and I live in a humid area as well.

[CedarZ4]

I wouldn't exactly say cheap tools, as much as normal tear-and-wear and the layer of paint, plastic (or whatever depending on your tool) that is used to prevent rusting has worn out due to prolonged usage.

Example, my jack stands. They are subject to friction from the car and the concrete (since I just leave them on the ground and they sometimes get dragged around), removing the paint on them. Add in water, and they will rust.

[Hawkeye]

Buy a dehumidifier. It is what people use to store firearms in safes and such for prolonged periods of time. Pretty much anything that soaks up moisture should work.

[adriang]

might be far off, but what about trying those silica gel packets you get in clothing pockets or shoes?

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by Maestro

All I can say is cheap tools,

My tools are over 20 yrs older they been in my garage the entire time and non of them have rust on them, but all my tools are either Craftsman or Snap-on. My garage is not climate controlled either so it open to the all the weather changes and I live in a humid area as well.

I've got plenty of rusty craftsman tools.....

[MidwestGolfBum]

Originally Posted by Mr Tonka

I've got plenty of rusty craftsman tools.....

As do I, much of it has to do with the amount of use as well as how they were used.

I actually have used plastidip for what it was originally intended for and dipped most of the socket wrenches and other things like that to help, but there is surface rust on a lot of my more commonly used sockets.

[Ehwnnc]

Originally Posted by Maestro

All I can say is cheap tools,

My tools are over 20 yrs older they been in my garage the entire time and non of them have rust on them, but all my tools are either Craftsman or Snap-on. My garage is not climate controlled either so it open to the all the weather changes and I live in a humid area as well.

All tools are Snap-on, Matco, and a few craftsman all wrapped in a snap-on box so not cheap. Its all surface rust. I was told to put chalk in the drawers so im trying that for right now

[keepittrill]

Where exactly is the rust? On the heads of the tools?

[Ehwnnc]

Here are a couple examples



And the 2 tools i feel everyone should have

[keepittrill]

Wow, those are getting bad. I honestly don't know what you could do about that. Good luck though!

[Maestro]

Do you clean your tools with any solvents, that is my other guess, again i use mine lots over the 20 yrs and do not have what you are showing. however, I do not clean my tools with solvents, I just wipe them with a rag. Old time mechanic told me once never clean tools with solvents, the oil you get on them from working on cars protects them, solvents removed all the oils from the steel which allows it to rust.

The same is true for good Knives and Fry Pan, never clean them with soap and water, Wiping them with hot water and scrubby and towel them off is the best you can do so the oils stay in the metal. I know it drives my wife nuts when I refuse to clean my knives and pans in dishwasher or soapy water.

[DSB335d]

I have 99% MAC tools. I've beat the heck out of some of my wrenches and ratchets trying to break stubborn hardware loose ruining the finish of the tools in the process.. Anyway I've had these tools for about 7yrs and and have gone months without cleaning them etc and none of them show rust.
On the other hand I have a "metrinch" tool set I've had since I was in high school that is pretty rusty; they still work well they are just ugly.

[achien]

oil is your friend. you can't have the cake and eat it too, the oil will protect your tools from oxidizing.

Originally Posted by Ehwnnc

I dont turn wrenches anymore so my tools and box are in the garage and ive noticed some surface rust on some of them. I have thousands of dollars in tools and hate to see them get rusty. Does anyone know of any tricks to keep rust from forming. I know people say just use them or WD 40 but i dont want my tools being greasy.

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by Mr Tonka

keep a bag of desiccant in the drawers.

Desiccant comes in different size bags. It's reusable by setting it in the oven to dry it out again. The different size bags are good for different size spaces.

Get a small bag for each drawer, recharge every 2 to 3 months. Remove the rust first and this should keep the moisture causing rust out of the box.

The other method requiring less effort is to give your tools a light spray of WD40 before putting them away. "Water Displacement 40th formula". No water, no rust.

[Ehwnnc]

Originally Posted by Maestro

Do you clean your tools with any solvents, that is my other guess, again i use mine lots over the 20 yrs and do not have what you are showing. however, I do not clean my tools with solvents, I just wipe them with a rag. Old time mechanic told me once never clean tools with solvents, the oil you get on them from working on cars protects them, solvents removed all the oils from the steel which allows it to rust.

The same is true for good Knives and Fry Pan, never clean them with soap and water, Wiping them with hot water and scrubby and towel them off is the best you can do so the oils stay in the metal. I know it drives my wife nuts when I refuse to clean my knives and pans in dishwasher or soapy water.

Ive always just wiped them down with a rag. i also find it very weird. You would think $60 needle nose pliers wouldnt get rust like that. It is very humid here in NC so maybe thats why

[Ehwnnc]

Originally Posted by Mr Tonka

Desiccant comes in different size bags. It's reusable by setting it in the oven to dry it out again. The different size bags are good for different size spaces.

Get a small bag for each drawer, recharge every 2 to 3 months. Remove the rust first and this should keep the moisture causing rust out of the box.

The other method requiring less effort is to give your tools a light spray of WD40 before putting them away. "Water Displacement 40th formula". No water, no rust.

I have heard this as well and im gonna try this too. Ill just go out and try all of these methods.

Thanks for all of the input guys

[Maestro]

Originally Posted by Ehwnnc

Ive always just wiped them down with a rag. i also find it very weird. You would think $60 needle nose pliers wouldnt get rust like that. It is very humid here in NC so maybe thats why

Are you near the ocean, it could be the salt air, when I lived in CA I had friend near the ocean and he was mechanic it was next to impossible to keep tools from rusting, like like yours looks, they had this brownish white sheen over them.