My tools are rusting in the barn

[Marlowe]

Years ago I made my living with my tools. In those times there was never a spot of rust on any of them. Since that time I've noticed that even my chrome plated wrenches have started to rust. Therefore I have come to the conclusion that it is not the tools nor the weather that causes them to rust, but rather a lack of attention. Treat your tools much as you do your woman. Pick them up now and then. Caress them. Treat them with love and attention. And put them safely away, out of the reach of your friends.

 

[J35]

I like plain drug store Mineral oil, keep a saturated rag in a baggie and wipe your tools down before you put them away, cheap, non toxic, and above all works very good for years., time tested in the Humid mid Atlantic.-- Jim

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Years ago I made my living with my tools. In those times there was never a spot of rust on any of them. Since that time I've noticed that even my chrome plated wrenches have started to rust. Therefore I have come to the conclusion that it is not the tools nor the weather that causes them to rust, but rather a lack of attention. Treat your tools much as you do your woman. Pick them up now and then. Caress them. Treat them with love and attention. And put them safely away, out of the reach of your friends.

You nailed it. A mechanic gets enough oil and grease on his hands that just handling the tools keeps them oiled. I have a refillable aerosol can that you charge with the air compressor. I load it with Dexron ATF and just fog the tool box once in a while. I also try to leave an oily rag inside the toolbox. The stuff evaporates, so you need to oil it again when it dries out.

I have guns over 100 years old without a speck of rust on them. They have been oiled once every six months for over a century. The worst thing you can do for them is to let them dry out. As a backup, I have a couple of 3 in 1 Rust Shield stickups in the gun safe.

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