If you are a DIY enthusiast and love your tools, this article is for you. You may have noticed that you often have to bid goodbye to your favourite tool because of the damage caused by rust. Rust is the biggest enemy of metal tools. It destroys the usability and structure of your tool and leaves you with no option but to throw it away. However, protecting your tools from rust is not a tough task. You just need to be careful about how you use and store it.

Essential Steps

The following are some tips to keep your tools rust-free and increase usability:

1. Tip 1: Store Your Tools Properly 

Most of us concentrate on buying the most high-tech tools but forget how we will store them. If you are a true tool enthusiast, you must buy a tool storage to protect them from external elements. If you plan to build a tool shed in your home, investing in the shed structure is not enough. You also need proper storage cabinets to prevent moisture from touching the tool surface. 

The main cause of rusting is moisture, so when you buy tool storage cabinets that protect your equipment from moisture and dust, you can prevent rust. Moreover, investing in tool storage will also help you keep your tools in a systematic order and make finding them in times of need easy.

2. Tip 2: Wipe Your Tools After Every Use: 

Just because your tools are designed to tackle all the hard work doesn’t mean you will give them a tough treatment. For every DIY enthusiast, your tools are an extension of your hands and just like you clean your hands after you are done with your work, you need to wipe your tools as well. This is a simple step, but it makes a lot of difference. Wiping the tools removes the dust and debris from the surface and keeps them rust-free.

3. Tip 3: Polish Your Tools from Time to Time: 

If your tools catch rust even after wiping them down after every use, you can consider polishing them. Polishing acts as a layer between the moisture and your tool's surface, preventing further rust formation. To polish your tools, you can apply a layer of oil on the metal parts.

4. Tip 4: Invest in a Dehumidifier: 

If you live in an extremely humid climate and are just not able to prevent your tools from rusting, it may be time to invest in a good dehumidifier. A dehumidifier will prevent moisture from attacking your precious tools and keep them in good shape.

How to Remove Rust from Your Tools?

What do you do if your tools have already caught rust? Do you throw them away? No! Here are some DIY ways to remove rust from your tools:

1. Salt and Vinegar Mixture: 

This method is used to remove rust from areas that are tough to reach. All you need to do is add 1/4th cup salt per litre of vinegar and soak your tools in the mixture. Give the mixture some time (at least 48 hours) to break the rust, and you will end up with brand-new tools. 

2. Baking Soda: 

To use baking soda for removing rust, make a paste out of baking soda and water in a 1:1 ratio. Now apply the paste on areas that have rust and let it sit for a couple of hours. Now brush the area with a tough bristled brush and see the magic happen.

3. Sanding:

Sanding is a great mess-free method if the rusted surface area is small. The drill is simple: degrease your tool, get a coarse-gritted sandpaper and start rubbing it on the surface area. Your tools will get cleaned in no time. 

Conclusion

Every tool enthusiast has an emotion attached to their tools, and watching them get rusty is like seeing your parents get old. Therefore, it is best to prevent rusting by storing your tools in cabinets that don’t allow moisture to touch your tools and cleaning them after every use. With a little care, you will be able to increase the lifespan of your tools by many years.