Damn! Rusty Tools!

[dadadata]

Somehow, I lost track of a couple dozen wrenches - the chromed automotive sort - including open-end, those hex brake-line sort, sockets and ratchets.

These wound up in a cardboard box which as fate would have it was placed in a corner of the "shop" (agricultural pole building of uncertain vintage) directly under a roof leak which I did not notice until yesterday. Sigh.

In the bottom of the box were some assorted fasteners and stuff (steel, brass, a few bits of lead, yadda yadda) and all this must have made for some sort of electrical field day.

Consequently I have some rusty spots on these tools and in a few cases "bubbly" rust where the chrome's gone.

I don't much care about shiny wrenches but I'd like to remove the rust.

So. let's have at it. This oughta be interesting.

What's the best stuff (kero? Liquid Wrench? simmering persimmon juice?) for unfreezing the ratchets?

For removing the rust spots?

I'll probably spray the silly things with some Rustoleum once I get them cleaned up.

All suggestions taken more-or-less seriously.

[Donn]

Soak them in CLR. It will soften the rust enough to get it off with a brass brush. It will also remove any shine on the tools, leaving a matte gray finish. You could also use 3M Metal Restorer and Polish afterwards, to protect them from future rust.

[John E Hardiman]

Now you've got a tool set for the boat! smile.gif

Actually, wire brush the wrenches and sockets to remove the scale and loose crome, then brush down with phosphoric acid to stablize the iron oxide. Fresh water rinse, oven dry, then wipe down with oil, I use chainbar oil, it sticks well without being too slick.

The ratchets are a different matter. If it's a fine pitch box ratchet, soak it in penetrating oil (your choice), disassemle, clean with a bronze brush, lubricate (light oil), and re-assemble. If it's a corse pitch banjo ratchet, you may just be able to disassemble it first, then soak the parts and clean as above.

I've bought plenty of tools that people said were "ruined", and even if you do buy a new set you can never have too many wrenches, especially on a boat. Ahhhh.... that familiar sound...."plonk".

PS... If the tools are from a manufacturer who has a lifetime warranty they could get "broken" and you can get a new one ;)

[ab8msmark]

John is right. If they are from Craftsman or Snap On or any other major tool maker, just return them. They will hand you brand new shiny tools that show up well on the bottom of the lake.
Mark