If you are a handyman, this may have already worried you, but if you are one of those who are just starting out in DIY, it may have taken you by surprise. A basic toolbox has become an essential item in every home because you never know when you might need a screwdriver or a wrench. You know that there is always some unexpected defect that, with some basic knowledge, you can fix without having to ask for help. But of course, tools are not used every day, and when you open the box after a while, you may be surprised to see that a few of them are starting to rust. What can you do in these cases?
Before going into some tricks that can be very useful to avoid rust, taking care of the tools is essential. Therefore, once they are used, they must be properly cleaned and then put back into the box neatly. The problem comes in that most of the time the box is kept in the garage or storage room, dark places where there is a lot of humidity, which can cause rust.
The implementation of suitable storage solutions for tools helps address this problem. For instance, metal parts cabinets storage serves as an excellent storage solution because their drawers provide both structural organization and better moisture and rust resistance than basic toolboxes do. Apart from metal cabinets and drawers, you may investigate wall-mounted pegboards and climate-controlled storage units for extended tool preservation. Putting tools into a dry storage space will protect their function while making them available for your upcoming DIY projects.
How to Prevent Tools from Rusting?
Luckily, there is always a trick or two that can prevent tools from ending up covered in that unpleasant layer of rust that can make working with them difficult. One of those tricks is using rice. Surely, if your phone has ever gotten went you have covered it with rice to absorb the moisture. If not, you should definitely try it! In this case, it is a very similar process, as you put one or two bags with a handful of rice, it all depends on the size of the box.
The chalk used to write on blackboards in schools may be quite surprising, as it performs a very similar function to cereal. For this reason, a few pieces of chalk can absorb moisture and thus prevent the rusting of nails, screws, and other elements. Also, if you have the opportunity to have your own corner for tools, it is advisable to have a board on the wall where you can hang those tools so that they do not rub against each other and, in this way, prevent them from rusting.
What If the Tools Are Already Rusty?
Prevention often starts a little late, and there are already areas that are somewhat rusty. Even so, before giving up on the tool, the truth is that you can make it disappear, the only thing that will take constant work because getting rid of rust is not as easy as it may seem at first. You can clean the tool with a cloth or a scouring pad soaked in turpentine or petroleum. In the first session, you probably won’t achieve anything. But you shouldn’t give up because you will have to apply several layers depending on the level of oxidation and the time it has been embedded until you see it disappear.
On the other hand, we must not forget that beyond all these home tricks, there are also specialized products for tools. To prevent rust, there are oils on the market that can be used to clean old tools every time they are used, which, in addition to removing dirt, protect them from rust. Of course, there are also products to remove rust that has already appeared, although in most cases, it is only effective if it has been there for a short time and has not clung too much to the surface. In these cases, it is easier for it to disappear.
You see, having a toolbox for any emergency is not just for storing it in the storage room or garage. Humidity is an enemy for metal tools that can cause them to rust, especially if you don’t use them much and they are exposed to moisture for too long. For this reason, before you get any unpleasant surprises when opening the toolbox after a while, check the tips above to prevent rust before it appears on your tools.
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