Protection from rust

Does anybody have any experience with a spray on rust repellent? I live by the coast and rust is a constant issue. I’ve been using renaissance wax, but it’s a ridiculous time suck.

for tools - like sockets, wrenches - drill bits - etc.

I would honestly use WD 40. That’s actually it’s purpose - corrosion prevention. Cheap easy to find - easy to apply.

WD-40 can work, but so can any spray oil. But WD-40 isn’t designed for that. It is designed for water displacement (hence the initials). It has the disadvantage of leaving a wet oil film.

Boeshield leaves a drier, waxy coating behind. It is meant to protect parts in storage from rust. If you want to use the part, you remove the coating with mineral spirits. People use it as a dry lube, but it isn’t designed for that.

Bostik Top-Cote leaves a thin, dry, hard coating behind that doesn’t rub off on workpieces. It also reduces sliding friction. It’s my favorite.

If you can swing the expense, air conditioning or just dehumdifying the air in your shop would help, and might have other benefits.

Good luck!

1 Like

I buy black oxide impact sockets and stainless knives. I live in the coastal Carolinas. Also get the sealed tool boxes like pack outs, tough boxes, or SOME T staks. If it’s water and mostly air tight and tools go in dry, they stay dry. All the coatings just make a mess or rub off.

1 Like

I know it’s water displacement but you know it was made specifically for coating rocket parts while sitting on the deck at cape canaveral and other locations - you know near salt spray - to prevent corrosion.

when I grew up in FL my dad used it alot for coating stuff that would sit in the garage.

Boeshield is for long term storage as far as I know - at least that’s how it was used in the hangar. And yes is a slightly better product but also a good bit more expensive.

But either way I think Paul might be on to something too. Sealed box might help matters too and some of that corrosion inhibiting drawer liner. I forgot about that stuff till I saw it in my drawers the other day. Rubbery mat that has something in it that helps prevent corrosion. I’ve had that in there probably 10 years or more. But I live in the middle of America

ACF50 spray is astonishingly good. (It’s used on aircraft carriers to prevent rust.)

If you do woodworking you have to be careful what you use. I’d never use WD 40 for anything that touches wood. Same with silicon. I just saw a Stumpy Nubs video where he recommended Zerust. He usually is pretty savy so I’m going to try them myself. They seem to make a bunch of products, so if I like it I may buy more.
https://www.amazon.com/Zerust-VC2-2-NoRust-Vapor-Capsule/dp/B003T1OQVQ/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=zerust+capsule&qid=1551672397&s=gateway&sr=8-2

1 Like

valid point for wood working products you need to be wary of any oil products. I think I saw a guy use wax once before. IE taking out his router bit - spraying it down with I think alcohol to get some of the residue off - then dipping it in hot wax (candle like) - and putting it up for storage.

Eitherway good luck. OH do you have any of that tool mat that is rust preventing?

Napalm, what you are referring to is a product called “dip coat”, (generic). It is a wax base product used in the machine tool industries. Used primarily for protecting cutting tools after sharpening. The product has several different formulas. A block of wax is melted in a pot similar to a deep fryer. After a tool is sharpened it is dipped into the melted wax product and solidifies quickly. It protects the new edges and the surfaces against rust. When it’s time to use the tool the wax is easily peeled off. It can be found at MSCDIRECT. Not a product for home use or large surfaces.

I didn’t mean it for large surfaces - just something I saw once. I think the guy was using basic candle wax inplace of the industrial dip coat stuff. I might be wrong. But it looked like a good idea. for things like router bits or forstner bits etc that you don’t use often but want to be clean when you do use them.

maybe screw bits you don’t use often - smaller items - but things you don’t want to get oil on. hell might be worth it for saw blades too use a coat of that table wax. I don’t know as I don’t have that much of a corrrosion issue in my place.

I saw a great comparison of rust preventatives http://www.dayattherange.com/?page_id=3667
The gun guys get really fanatical about rust prevention :slight_smile:
the WD-40 Specialist seemed to be a great pick and I have picked up a few cans for trial!

If you are storing something for a while, you can use VCI paper. Works great for parts and tools I don’t use often.

There are also vapor releasing capsules that purportedly reduce/prevent rust:

Falmbeau also includes Zerust into some of their toolboxes

A dehumidifier is a worthwhile investment, as well. I have one hooked up in the basement next to my tool bench (because the bench happens to be next to the utility sink it drains into, not because I’m trying to target my tools with dehumidification). We previously had intermittent issues with water and mud seeping in during particularly heavy rains at the base of some of the walls, but we haven’t had any problems since setting up the dehumidifier. It’s rather cheap, maintenance free (as long as you drain it to a floor drain or sink), and its good for both your tools and your house.

Lots of knives, nut setters and screwdriver bits are available as stainless steel version.
Sealed toolboxes like DeWALT Toughsystem DS300 are waterproof.
Coating is another option, TiN coating is partially protecting but can cost a bit. or any other type of coating.

Am I the only person who just tosses some mothballs in his toolbox each season?

I never use any with DeWALT Toughsystem boxes.

not sure how mothballs would help with corrosion. does it manage to drive humidity down.

I use them in my attic to keep critters away.

otherwise I take those silica gel packs that I get in packaging when I get them - and I put them in my tool drawers in the roll around, and I keep a few in my gun bags.

So far so good.