You guys have any ideas on ways to keep tools from rusting in the shop? Unheated and 100% humidity.

Leave a little oil on them.

42 minutes ago, joecool911 said:

You guys have any ideas on ways to keep tools from rusting in the shop? Unheated and 100% humidity.

I use a little WD-40 and put a few of those desiccant bags in the draws as well.

I use amsoil metal protector on tools that don't get usd a lot but a silicone spray would work fine too

About the only tools I have that tend to get a bi of rust is some of my impact sockets that don't get used a lot other than that I have not seen much rust issues luckily but I suspect you southern boys have it a bit different.

Edited February 23, 20169 yr by Wild and Free

My tools are typically used to often to really get rust on them. I don't clean them spotless either leaving a bit of oily film on most of them. Like myself for the odd stuff spray either silicone spray or WD40 on a rag and wipe the tool off. Put it away...

Remember: A used tool never rusts and a rusted tool never works.

I just wipe the tools off an put them away.  The only tools I have a problem with are the impact sockets because they are not chrome plated and I do get caught out in the rain once in a while.

Even the chrome plated sockets will rust if given the environment to create rust. Like my set I keep in the truck they seen several rain and snow storms. Even had times where I closed the case and held it up to drain the water out. So even chrome plated sockets will rust. Now my stuff in the shop tool box I've not had any problems with them. I just wipe everything off and put it away. I'm not the typically solvent wash my tools a bit of oil film isn't going to hurt anything.

The problem with using WD-40 or solvents is it evaporates in a few days. You might as well rub diesel fuel on them.  Try a little test by taking a peace of metal (sheet metal would work good)  put a solvent (paint thinner), WD-40, diesel fuel and a light coating of engine oil.  Set the sheet metal in the garage for a week and see what's left. I bet it'll be the engine oil.   By the way, one of my customer's worked for WD-40 here in San Diego.  He told me the main ingredient is cut kerosene.      

Interesting...

I used to have a problem with rust in my old shop. It was just an exposed sheet metal roof. This still new to me place, I made a point to sheet the roof with plywood and then the metal roof. It made a nice difference and none of my shops ever get any heat.

Edited February 24, 20169 yr by JAG1