# Cleaning rust from old tools. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 15, 2003, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-rust-from-old-tools/195420 "2003-08-15T17:16:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Emilio\_Lizardo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Emilio\_Lizardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emilio_Lizardo)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-rust-from-old-tools/195420/1 "2003-08-15T17:16:12Z")
After several years sitting in various basements, some of my tools have begun to show a fine patina of rust. What can I do to remove this? I’m thinking using scotchbrite or steelwool, then coating them lightly with oil. Is this a good idea? ---
**Author:** ![Reepicheep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@Reepicheep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reepicheep)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-rust-from-old-tools/195420/2 "2003-08-15T17:19:01Z")
Try Apple Cider Vinager first. Soak in the vinager for 1/2 hour and then wipe off most of the rust. The rest you might need steelwool for. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-rust-from-old-tools/195420/3 "2003-08-15T17:24:30Z")
Naval jelly works wonders on rust. Also, a light coat of oil (like WD-40) will help keep the tools from rusting. ---
**Author:** ![justwannano](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ab992/32.png) [@justwannano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justwannano)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-rust-from-old-tools/195420/4 "2003-08-15T17:32:28Z")
The cheaper white vinegar works just as well as cider vinegar. ---
**Author:** ![Reepicheep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@Reepicheep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reepicheep)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-rust-from-old-tools/195420/5 "2003-08-15T17:41:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by justwannano \* > \*\*The cheaper white vinegar works just as well as cider vinegar. \*\* I bow to your superior knowledge. I keep large jars of the Apple Cider on hand, so I’ve always used that. ---
**Author:** ![herman\_and\_bill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f1d935/32.png) [@herman\_and\_bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/herman_and_bill)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-rust-from-old-tools/195420/6 "2003-08-15T22:35:30Z")
Use 4/0 steel wool and regular oil, the steel wool will cut off the rusty scale while the oil will soften it. Don’t use WD-40, thats a penetrating oil and won’t give very much protection. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-rust-from-old-tools/195420/7 "2003-08-16T00:13:38Z")
Don’t use any oil on the tools. That can make them slippery and dangerous. If you have access to one, a sand blaster works the best for removing surface rust. Scotchbrite used with a rubber backup pad in your drill works very good and is much quicker than steel wool. Then a thin coat of rust inhibiting primer. If your lazy and got some money to burn, invest in some Hammerite spray paint. You can spray it right on the rusty tools and it will stop the rust. I have used it with much success. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-rust-from-old-tools/195420/8 "2003-08-16T15:19:03Z")
What type of tools are these Emilio Lizardo? Hand tools or power tools? ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMule](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc348/32.png) [@MonkeyMule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMule)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-rust-from-old-tools/195420/9 "2003-08-16T15:27:12Z")
My friend told me when he was in the navy, they just sat rusty wreches in tubs of kool-aid over night. took it right off Kinda scarry when you think about ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-rust-from-old-tools/195420/10 "2003-08-16T23:22:33Z")
Some swear by a 2-day soak in antifreeze. ---
**Author:** ![Emilio\_Lizardo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Emilio\_Lizardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emilio_Lizardo)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-rust-from-old-tools/195420/11 "2003-08-16T23:55:46Z")
> [@](#): > > What type of tools are these Emilio Lizardo? Hand tools or power tools Mostly hand tools: chisels, screwdrivers, pliers and the like. Also, the column on my drill press, which I clearly can’t soak in a jar. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-rust-from-old-tools/195420/12 "2003-08-17T00:41:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Emilio Lizardo \* > \*\*Mostly hand tools: chisels, screwdrivers, pliers and the like. Also, the column on my drill press, which I clearly can’t soak in a jar. 😃 \*\* Oil the column on your drill press and work the handle a bunch of times, that’ll get the rust off. Coat it with more oil to keep it from rusting. ---
**Author:** ![Mundo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mundo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundo)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-rust-from-old-tools/195420/13 "2003-08-17T02:34:41Z")
I’ve had good results with this [http://www.htpaa.org.au/article-electro.php](http://www.htpaa.org.au/article-electro.php) for tools with tight spots that are not easily rubbed with steel wool. Just make sure you follow the instructions, especially the safety instructions. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-rust-from-old-tools/195420/14 "2003-08-17T04:13:52Z")
You mean the Sawall won’t work? Have you tried Tarnx? Don’t breathe it. ---
**Author:** ![hammerbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/73ab20/32.png) [@hammerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hammerbach)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-rust-from-old-tools/195420/15 "2003-08-17T04:46:24Z")
Phosphoric acid is a true wonder with rusted steel. Naval jelly, soda pop, milk stone remover (look for a dairy supply) provide varying strengths of it.