Possible hand tool maintenance tip

[chili_pepper]

Kind of a two-parter...

Not sure what you guys do for general hand tool maintenance, but to keep mine relatively clean and prevent corrosion, I usually wipe down everything I've used at the end of a wrenching job with a WD-40 soaked rag before it goes back to its proper spot in the tool box. Cleans and protects, good time to inspect your tools for damage as well. Just say no to rusty wrenches.

Maybe not a new thing, but regarding WD-40, I've had a number of aerosol cans of the stuff take a shit on me well before the contents were used, which is the kind of thing that can piss a man off a little. As I'm one of those men, I've moved to the non-aerosol version for most uses now. No propellant to deal with, refillable and you can use every drop you buy.

 

[BlueC]

I prefer to leave mine laying in the driveway for years on end, and I salt them for flavor.

Maybe not a new thing, but regarding WD-40, I've had a number of aerosol cans of the stuff take a shit on me well before the contents were used, which is the kind of thing that can piss a man off a little.

I fully understand the pissed off factor. It happened to me just yesterday. You can take those cans and repressurize them with shop air, just don't over do it or big boom and brown stains. I've gone up to 40 psi and been fine. I'm a little hesitant to push beyond that even though google says 50-100 psi is common.

 

[LukesfirstJeep]

I bought a gallon of WD40, 30+ years ago. I use aerosol cans too, but I'm finally getting a little low.

 

[John Cooper]

I will use brake clean to clean my tools, then WD40 to coat them. Either spray on and wipe off or just wipe on.

 

[chili_pepper]

I prefer to leave mine laying in the driveway for years on end, and I salt them for flavor.

Having made a living with mine at one point, coupled with a potential OCD diagnosis....rust pitted tools make my sphincter grind like a rock crusher.

 

[Chippy]

How do they even get rusty in the first place?

I have a spray bottle in my garage with like 50% water and 50% dawn dish soap. After I knock out a project I just spray wrenches, sockets, etc you name it and wipe with a microfiber. I’ve had a lot of the same stuff for 10+ years now that still looks like new. The dawn mix really gets any grease and oil off them.

 

[macleanflood]

Yeah I just use hand cleaning wipes...Tub O Towels or Crocodile Wipes. After I wipe the tools down I use the wipe on any big oil spots on the concrete.

-Mac

 

[B1Toad]

Never knew rust was an issue on tools stored in the garage, I guess because I live in a dry climate. I just wipe mine off before putting them away.