Just got into my truck box today and noticed that some of the tools that I keep in there did not fare the winter as well as I would like. Wanted to get some ideas how to clean them up/protect them for the future besides my usual method 0000 steel wool and WD-40 (or its equivalent.)
Cleaning up Rusty Tools
- Thread starter Tdbo
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Protecting depends on the tool. For instance, my ratchets get a drop or two of 75w140 gear oil in the ratchet mechanism and is torn apart to do so. My pliers get a 5wt oil at the hinge. For a protective coating I use Amsoil MP.
I see a bunch of elbow grease in your future as well as a wire wheel brush.
I see a bunch of elbow grease in your future as well as a wire wheel brush.
Maybe spray them with something like Amsoil MPHD and put them in heavy duty zip lock bags? The HDMP leaves a kind of dry waxy coating which should protect well. But it might be messy depending on whether you use them or just store them in case you need them.
Or maybe vacuum bag the tools after spraying with WD40 or Amsoil MP if they are not normally used.
Or maybe vacuum bag the tools after spraying with WD40 or Amsoil MP if they are not normally used.
For rusty tools try Bullfrog.I half fill a rectangular Tupperware bowl then leave them in there a few days.
It is harmless to rubber,plastic,paint etc but the rust will be gone 100%,just keep them totally submerged.Use MP or WD40 in a plastic bag or container after to keep them rust free.
It is harmless to rubber,plastic,paint etc but the rust will be gone 100%,just keep them totally submerged.Use MP or WD40 in a plastic bag or container after to keep them rust free.
JHZR2
Staff member
There are products out there now which essentially are chelating agents. They are molecules (organic) which form complexes with metal atoms or metal-bound molecules.
As I understand it, these products selectively react with metal oxides (i.e. iron oxide or rust - not sure and I doubt it will strip an oxide layer from, say, Al). Only rust is removed, and the metal stays as is.
Then you can treat with the metal protection or lube that you desire.
As I understand it, these products selectively react with metal oxides (i.e. iron oxide or rust - not sure and I doubt it will strip an oxide layer from, say, Al). Only rust is removed, and the metal stays as is.
Then you can treat with the metal protection or lube that you desire.
Google molasses rust removal. I haven't done it but have seen it done with good results and it won't touch the good metal or chrome.
A wipe with ATF will help if you're short on any of that fancy stuff.
On intricate and hard to clean parts I've had very good success with electrolysis.
Best way to keep rust off of tools is to USE them!
A quick coating of light lubrication oil such as WD-40 will go a long way. No need to get too complex. I also notice that when it gets really humid outside, the rust is hard to avoid.
A quick coating of light lubrication oil such as WD-40 will go a long way. No need to get too complex. I also notice that when it gets really humid outside, the rust is hard to avoid.
I've used WD-40 & Johnson paste wax with good sucess. I have a table saw and drillpress in a garage that ocassionally gets damp. The machined beds on the machines would get a film of rust. Cleaned the surface with an abrasive pad and WD-40. Then put some paste wax on a rag and give it a spray of WD-40 and give it a good buffing with that. The WD-40 and paste wax seems to penetrate and seal the surface, plus it leaves the table saw bed smooth and just slippery enough for work.
The guys at Garage Journal discuss this a lot and they talk a lot about a product called Evapo Rust:
http://www.evaporust.com/index.html
I haven't used it.
http://www.evaporust.com/index.html
I haven't used it.
+1 evapo rust is decent.
UPDATE: Went out in search of FreeAll (one distributor if it in Columbus-Would have to order it.) Ended up with a Seafoam product called Deep Creep (some name right?) Anyway, it cleaned the few items that were rusty up pretty good. I don't keep my best tools in the truck (they are either old or cheap(er) tools, but I still like to keep them nice. My next question is would some type of dessicant type of product be worth a try? If so, where would one obtain this type of product? It could take years to save enough packets from electronics purchases to make a difference. Thanks in advance.
seafoam deep creep is just seafoam in an aerosol can. desiccant packs are available from many places just google. Many firearm supply shops will have them for gun safes or ammo cans.
Originally Posted By: lipadj46
seafoam deep creep is just seafoam in an aerosol can. desiccant packs are available from many places just google. Many firearm supply shops will have them for gun safes or ammo cans.
yes....just find a gun shop or Academy, or sportsmans guide. they sell blocks or cans meant for gun safes that absorb the moisture and can be "recharged" by drying them out in the oven.
seafoam deep creep is just seafoam in an aerosol can. desiccant packs are available from many places just google. Many firearm supply shops will have them for gun safes or ammo cans.
yes....just find a gun shop or Academy, or sportsmans guide. they sell blocks or cans meant for gun safes that absorb the moisture and can be "recharged" by drying them out in the oven.
These Bullfrog products claim to emit some kind of protection in your tool box that will keep tools rust free.
Again, I have not tried it. Seems like desicants would not be too effective unless the storage area is sealed.
http://www.bull-frog.com/products/
Again, I have not tried it. Seems like desicants would not be too effective unless the storage area is sealed.
http://www.bull-frog.com/products/
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