Cleaning rusty hand tools (best way)?

[G-Mac]

I have a lot of old hand tools that have gotten some surface rust over time. I have a damp garage and things just seem to rust in there. We're talking wrenches, sockets, pliers, etc. What would be the best way to clean these up and have them looking good again? Soak them in WD-40 and use some Scotchbrite and elbow grease?????

 

[sureshotbob]

Get some EVAPO-RUST from Tractor Supply or at some auto parts stores. Just put the parts in a plastic bucket and soak.
It can be used over and over.

 

[H Richard]

Wipe them all with a oil rag before putting away. Helps keep the rust away.

 

[G-Mac]

Wipe them all with a oil rag before putting away. Helps keep the rust away.

Hindsight is 20/20, but thanks.

 

[garystl]

I've seen you tube videos about using an electrolyte and DC voltage to remove rust.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I use 30W oil-I use it my bicycle hubs-0000 steel wool. rubber gloves. A wire brush for really stubborn cases.

 

[Old Arkansawyer]

Soak them in white vinegar in a plastic bucket or tub, its' cheap and
works about as good as anything. Light coat of oil afterwards.

 

[Daniel Howe]

Soak them in white vinegar in a plastic bucket or tub, its' cheap and
works about as good as anything. Light coat of oil afterwards.

+1 once you get 'em cleaned up use Johnson's paste wax for floors to keep them from rusting again. Works on your cast iron tops too (drill press, saw, etc.)

 

[DeathGrip]

I've seen you tube videos about using an electrolyte and DC voltage to remove rust.

I use that method on cast iron pans. I have to do one this week and I'll put a rusty chromed tool in the bucket while I'm at it and report back later.

 

[Rustyt1953]

My dad and brother (both professional nut turners) would soak rusty tools, small parts and fasteners in white vinegar.

 

[ralph7]

+1 once you get 'em cleaned up use Johnson's paste wax for floors to keep them from rusting again. Works on your cast iron tops too (drill press, saw, etc.)

This is the way to go.
Who wants to store and grab oily tools?

 

[Stevens]

Years ago I noticed the shovel and other digging tools in a utilities worker's pickup truck looked in real good shape. I asked him what the used on them he said Fluid Film spray after cleaning.
I bought some and it does keep them nice and rust free.
Kroil is another good one.
Steve W

 

[joeintexas]

+1 on the white vinegar. My dad and granddad taught me that and it really does work, cheap too.

 

[Black Sunshine]

Depending on the quantity of tools I would use either evap o rust or molasses. 1 part Molasses mixed with 9 parts water works about as well as evap o rust but it takes a little longer. I use it on a couple cars I'm restoring...works amazingly well. I have a 55 gallon drum of it in my back yard.

 

[oink]

A solution of citric acid works well.

 

[WuzzFuzz]

A solution of citric acid works well.

Muratic acid (swimming pool acid) also works well.


WuzzFuzz

 

[Black Sunshine]

While muriatic and acetic (vinegar) acid (and likely citric) work to remove iron oxide (rust), they also dissolve iron.

The benefit of both evap o rust and molasses are that they only dissolve the iron oxide. Neither of them burn if you get them on your skin, but the molasses takes on a pretty funky smell.

If you'd like to research the chemical process, it is called chelation.

 

[2152hq]

If you have a wire wheel you can put up in place of a grinding wheel on a bench grinder,,or hook up a wire wheel on an arbor and chuck it up in a portable drill and hold the drill in a bench vise, you can clean up rusted metal tools and parts very easily.

A light coating of oil,,most any will do inclu motor oil on the rusty parts and let them set for 5 to 10 min. You don't need very much.
Then wire wheel them with the oil still on them. They will come out very clean of rust and dirt. Any bare metal will be a smooth grey color. It won't remove plating from tools unless the plating is poor quality to begin with.
Wipe them down with a clean cloth or paper toweling.
I use the method in cleaning dirty and rusted gun parts and have for years.

Garden shovels, spades and small tools stay nice and clean, easy to work with if they are stuck into a bucket a few times that has just sand with some linseed oil mixed in it.
Motor oil will work as well but then you transfer the petro oil back to the garden and plants next time you work in the garden. It may be a small amt, but I don't care to have it in there anyway.