What spray do you use to stop your tools from rusting?

Hello

What do you use to stop your steel tools from rusting? (as well as lightly lubricate and clean them)

e.g.
- WD-40? (but never dries... washes off quite easily)
- Boeshield T-9 spray? (hard to source in the UK)

J

Nothing as they don't

Have a look at this recent thread

Edited By JasonB on 27/10/2021 12:19:12

For me it's not so much stop them rusting as fix it when they do. I find a patch of green scotchbrite or suchlike with a good spray of WD40 will usually get it off as if it had never been. In the worst cases there's just-visible roughness when the light's in the right direction, but never anything measurable. Perhaps I just don't let it get bad enough.

a dry workshop

Yes, lots of chat about how to avoid the need...

However due to lack of indoor space, I am compelled to keep a number of my tools outside in weather proof storage boxes or a garden shed. Where possible, I then house them inside Really Useful Boxes, which breath just enough to prevent most condensation. Perhaps surprisingly, most of the time this has worked remarkably well, given the damp UK climate I live in.

But either way, I still need something with which to clean and lubricate my tools. And either way, finger prints can cause corrosion.

Fwiw, I have been using WD-40 but it's a dated general purpose product which I don't think ever dries, making it rather messy and TBH I don't much care for the aroma... worse, in practice my large V-blocks keep rusting from fingerprints despite an occasional wiping down & polishing off with WD-40... and I'm feel in my bones that something better must exist, no?

Line your drawers with VCI paper; If it gets uncomfortable transfer it to your tool boxes.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313&_nkw=vci+paper&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_odkw=VPI+paper&_osacat=0

As mentioned on your other thread Motorex Protect works well
https://www.motorex.com/en-us/moto-protect-spray--28154?category=5724

Bill

Edited By peak4 on 27/10/2021 12:43:16

Although my workshop is dry I use plastic air tight food containers from the local supermarket and small "jam" jars to keep parts safe. I put a little oil in the jars and use vapour plastic bags in the boxes.

I have found that VCI paper left a thin green corrosion deposit on brass. I phoned the manufacturer of the paper about this and they were most helpful. They recommended the plastic bags since their paper was not suitable for brass.

JA

Ambersil corrosion inhibitor - as used by the Navy I believe.

It leaves a thin and slightly tacky film so is not great in dusty environments. I apply it using a trigger spray bottle.

Last year when I was moving house I had to store my garage and workshop items in a draughty, unheated industrial unit with a leaky roof. Fortunately Ambersil did just what not said on the tin and WD40 seems to clean it off easily now I am 'home and dry'.

As others have mentioned elsewhere, you need to be careful about using anything completely "air tight" because in colder conditions you run the risk of condensation.

Bill I see you have been fan of Motorex for a while.

According to that link it works by leaving "a fine film of oil" behind.

Yes, Motorex Moto Protect looks interesting, and is certainly cheaper & easier to obtain than Boeshield t-9 spray.
How tacky is it when dry? (I don't want anything tacky but a fine waxy film would be fine)
Does it still lubricate over time / when 'dry'?
Can you use it to clean tools? (like you can with WD-40)
In practise, do you feel the need to remove it before using a hand tool? If so how would you remove it?
 

Edited By John Smith 47 on 27/10/2021 13:26:58

Cromwells used to sell Solent corrosion inhibitor but I can't seem to find it, so now use Ambersil.

Have you considered putting reusable desiccant packs in your boxes?

Camelia oil leaves a dry film and helps prevent rust. Good for woodworking tools as well.

However cannot suggest a "cure" for rusty fingers, fortunately I do not have that problem and do not cause any such marking.

Rocol Moisture Guard! Green semi drying spray used by most grinding companies to protect finishes which rust surprisingly quickly at this time of year. Good for 5 years - so it says on the tin. Just checked my reground lathe ways, which are in the shed wrapped in grease proof paper, and they are perfect.

Cleans off easily with brake cleaner or white spirit.

Martin

Heavily insulated workshop with all machines covered at night with old plastic sheeting and bags that originally contained sand/ ballast/ gardening peat or similar. Some heat on most of year round as if I turn it off, liable to absent mindedly forget to switch back on. One mill has 4 old style lamps, 60W wired in series in a protective wooden box, lathe has tubular heater on thermostat and a timer. Workshop always cosy nothing that's protected rusts. Hygrometer shows 60% humidity this afternoon and temperature 80F. Heat only goes up so high when using machines with heat of the drive motors. Doesn't take long to cover/uncover machines with the plastic sheeting and bags, but I only do the machine that I want to use. Lot of tools kept in spare bedroom with the benefit of central heating. Second mill, bandsaw, massive bench drill, linisher, workbench, all covered but no heater. I find that the 2 machines which are covered and have a heater, keep the whole shed warm - 10 X 8ft, so not a great volume. Cheapest would probably be to oil/lanoline all and cover and check regularly.

Hi John

I use a spray called ACF50 I get it from Demon Tweeks, it dries clear and seems to last for ages, originally used it to stop the alloy rims on my motorbike corroding, now use it on everything.

I live fairly close to the sea and without using it rust appears very quickly, this does the trick, got a dehumidifier but the salt air used to start corrosion quickly, this seems to stave it off.

Dave

+1 for ACF 50. I used it extensively when I had a motorbike, but use it now as anti-corrosive / lubricant on virtually everything - in fact I was using it on the catches and hinges on my windows this morning. The makers claim that it's safe with most plastics and rubbers and I have experienced no problems over many years of using the product. Also, like Dave, I live very near to the sea, and it's worked well.

My grandads shipwright tools dating from WWII are now in my shed. In addition to a wipe over with oil I have kept up his tradition of keeping moth balls in the tool chest. No idea of the chemistry but I have no rusted tools.

Elmo

Spray / wipe with oil, to prevent moisture and air contacting the steel..

For long term storage, intermittent use (Verniers, etc Shouldn't be left outside in boxes!. ) you could use Waxoyl, or Lanolin. Both need warming to thin for easier wiping and coating.

Howard.

I use duck oil, but it would appear I'm on my own on that one!