Rusting tools

L

Lukich

Well-known member
Hello.

Recently I bought an OEM set of tools for my 2005 sv650 on EBay. They arrived promptly, but were somewhat greasy and a tad rusty. I left them overnight in a bucket of vinegar, next morning cleaned them up, wiped them dry and left them on top of my toolbox. To my surprise, the next morning they were rusty again, pretty significantly. I left them in a vinegar overnight again, wiped them clean and covered them in oil - bike chain lube, the only one I had on hand. Several hours later I looked at them and guess what - they started rusting again.
Anybody encountered similar issues? Do I need to use something other then vinegar to de-rust them? Different lube? Would WD40 work>
Thank you!
Luka
 
dowlinginchico

dowlinginchico

Home Wrecker
It all depends on how rusty. If a light surface rust, wipe a light oil (gun oil). WD40 is good for cleaning (a solvent), but not too good for lubricating. WD trys to do too much.

As soon as you stop exposing the tool to oxygen, they will stop rusting. A coat of oil will do that.
 
dravnx

dravnx

Well-known member
Rust is the oxidation of ferrous metals. Remove the oxygen and they won't rust. Normally, oil will provide this barrier. There are many other products that will do this. WD-40 is not one of them.
 
NSR500

NSR500

すけべ
Plasti Dip the hand surfaces of the tool and apply a very very light film coating of grease to the exposed surfaces.
I have had similar issues with some tooling fixtures and grease has been much better than oil because it doesn't run.
 
Cincinnatus

Cincinnatus

Not-quite retired Army
dowlinginchico said:
WD trys to do too much.
Click to expand...

Wrong.... :teeth

People use WD-40 for the wrong things.

WD-40 is Water Displacing formula #40.

Not a lubricant, but a solvent with SOME lubricating properties.

OP - Use the right tool for the job, like a 3-in-1 oil or something similar. Clean the tools thoroughly, rub them down with a scrubbing pad or 0000 steel wool, then wipe down immediately with oil. Get rid of all flaking paint or finish and take care of your tools.

OEM toolkits are usually junk anyway, get some Craftsman, DeWalt, or other decent tools and use them. Better quality will last longer.:thumbup
 
L

Lukich

Well-known member
NSR500 said:
Plasti Dip the hand surfaces of the tool and apply a very very light film coating of grease to the exposed surfaces.
I have had similar issues with some tooling fixtures and grease has been much better than oil because it doesn't run.
Click to expand...

Good idea, I'll do that. Holding greasy instruments is not fun. Thank you!
 
L

Lukich

Well-known member
OP - Use the right tool for the job, like a 3-in-1 oil or something similar. Clean the tools thoroughly, rub them down with a scrubbing pad or 0000 steel wool, then wipe down immediately with oil. Get rid of all flaking paint or finish and take care of your tools.

OEM toolkits are usually junk anyway, get some Craftsman, DeWalt, or other decent tools and use them. Better quality will last longer.:thumbup
Click to expand...

I will try the tools you suggested, thank you. Usually I'd agree with you, but these tools are stamped with "Made in Japan", so they probably are above average.
 
RightCoastBias

RightCoastBias

F8TRED
I'm looking for, but can't find, this marine coating I used to use on my fixed blade knives. It comes in a smallish package and is a cloth you wipe over the tools to add a layer of protection.

In very humid/wet camping conditions I never had any rust and would reapply every 6 months or so.


Edit: found it in my Amazon order history from 2012!

Marine TUF-CLOTH 12" x 12" resealable pouch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001G0Y6J4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_G7aUzbDQH8Q4Z
 
Slow Goat

Slow Goat

Fun Junkie
Kroil (stinky) or Eezox will prevent rust. To get rid of it, clean thoroughly with steel wool then soak in 10w/30 overnight.

Keep the tools in a lightly-oiled ziplock bag if the rust is persistent.

My OEM tools are crap, too. Great for rounding off tight nuts and boltheads, that's about it.
 
L

Lukich

Well-known member
RightCoastBias said:
I'm looking for, but can't find, this marine coating I used to use on my fixed blade knives. It comes in a smallish package and is a cloth you wipe over the tools to add a layer of protection.

In very humid/wet camping conditions I never had any rust and would reapply every 6 months or so.


Edit: found it in my Amazon order history from 2012!

Marine TUF-CLOTH 12" x 12" resealable pouch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001G0Y6J4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_G7aUzbDQH8Q4Z
Click to expand...


That's pretty cool, thanks!
 
psychocandy

psychocandy

wrecker
By OEM tools, do you mean like the ones that come with the bike when you buy it? In the little vinyl pouch under the seat?

Those tools are garbage & made out of garbage metal. The only reason to really use them is out of desperation. The only reason to keep them would be for extra bucks on a vintage bike (STILL HAS PERIOD CORRECT OEM TOOL KIT!!!). You're over thinking it. You can create the same toolkit with better quality stuff by going to AutoZone.
 
EastBayDave

EastBayDave

- Kawasaki Fanatic -
diss WD40 all you want, but to me, it works. :thumbup

I live less than a mile from the shoreline of the bay; my place breaks the wind (salt filled air) for everyone in the EB. EVERYTHING rusts here = even lightweight aluminum (thin ham radio antennas & other things) in the garage. Stuff left outside will corrode immediately.

A light dusting of WD every year or two keeps the tools from corroding. That's all I know. Just have to wipe them clean w/a rag before use; takes a second or two. Each tray in the toolbox gets a shot or two every couple years, & the tools remain rust free & nice.

Maybe it's because most of my tools are Snap-On or Craftsman?

I don't care what it is, or is not = it works. Ta-daa! :teeth
 
Last edited:
m0t0_ryder

m0t0_ryder

RYD!
THIS.... post # 12!

dravnx said:
Acf-50
Click to expand...

ACF 50 is pretty incredible stuff.

from the link...
ACF-50 (Anti-Corrosion Formula) was originally designed to protect aircraft from existing and new corrosion and is now available to motorcyclists. Aviation products have to meet rigorously high standards and ACF-50 not only meets these but has been awarded Aviation approvals - MIL-SPEC 81309 types II and III which means it is 'approved for ferrous and non-ferrous metals, electrical systems and electronic components'. The US Navy carried out tests using ACF-50 on the jets on their Aircraft Carriers. They found that ACF-50 so significantly reduced the corrosion they had previously experienced they now use ACF-50 all the time!
Click to expand...

I use it on just about anything metal that is going to be exposed to weather.
Well worth the investment in a large can.
 
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