VDE Pliers - rusting

[Jupiter01]

My VDE long nose pliers have some specs of rust. Can I please have some advice on how to clean this and prevent this in the future.

Thanks in advance.

 

[conny]

Light rub with some wire wool to remove the rust and a spray with WD40 every so often.

 

[Jupiter01]

Light rub with some wire wool to remove the rust and a spray with WD40 every so often.

Should I do same with my insulated screwdriver tips?

 

[conny]

Yes, but after spraying wipe them dry after a few minutes.

 

[JohnD]

Maybe stop keeping them in damp places?

You can keep an oily rag in the toolbox to wipe things after use.

 

[Jupiter01]

Is 3 in 1 preferable in this scenario? I have both Wd40 and the oil in the shed

 

[JohnD]

WD40 does not seem to last long.

 

[Jupiter01]

WD40 does not seem to last long.

Shall I use the 3 in 1 oil instead John?

 

[conny]

Shall I use the 3 in 1 oil instead John?

Yes, if you have it. Almost any light oil will do the job.

 

[Jupiter01]

Thanks for this all. I rubbed it down with some wire wool and applied some oil. It’s come up as new

 

[morqthana]

Buy better made tools?

 

[^woody^]

Use a wax, it lasts longer, less messy and not wet. Tool wax is a bit expensive or make some wax from beeswax and linseed oil.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

You can keep an oily rag in the toolbox to wipe things after use.

And maybe consider lining the bottom of the tool box with VCI paper as well if it is reasonably sealed? Having gone over to using water sealed tool boxes recently (deWalt Tough System 2) I have started using silica gel bags inside my tool boxes which have so far kept things rust free over the 2 week Christmas shut down when it seemingly rained every day and my tools were stored in a damp out building. Seemed to make a difference

Buy better made tools?

Whilst some manufacturers chromium plate tools, that costs a lot more and the plated tools are often no better quality than unplated ones from the same manufacturer. In any case many tools are simply not available plated, just think wood chisels, files, taps and dies, etc meaning that steps always need to be taken to protect them

 

[Mike13]

The downside to chrome plating is that if it is ever damaged by cracking or ground off then the steel underneath actually rusts faster. if kept intact it really does protect well.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

The other downside is that flakes of chromium can enter clean areas and cause damage - not noticeable on your granny's Fiesta engine, but potentially disasterous in the bearings of a jet engine. That's why high quality screwdrivers often have chemically black tips rather than being chrome plated all the way