Featured:
Allergies
Grilling Guide
eHow Now Blog

How to Remove Rust From Tools

Tools can last for years if you take care of them. But don't worry; if your favorite shovel has gotten a tad rusty, it's a snap to make tools shiny as new.

Difficulty:
Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

  • Steel wool
  • Wire brush
  • Linseed oil
  • Bucket of soapy water
  • Rags
  • Sand
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Sandpaper
  • 5-gallon bucket
  • Trowel
    • 1

      If you have a bench vise, clamp the tool into it with the blade facing down. If you don't have a vice you can do tool maintenance on a solid concrete surface.

    • 2

      Coat the blade with kerosene or a penetrating oil.

    • 3

      Brush downward, using steel wool or a wire brush. Depending on how rusty the blade is, you may need both.

    • 4

      Wipe away the rust residue with a soft brush or cloth. Then wash the blade in warm, soapy water and dry it thoroughly.

    • 5

      If the wooden handle of your tool is splintery, sand it lightly with fine sandpaper and then rub the handle with linseed oil to prevent the wood from drying out.

    • 6

      Prevent rust by cleaning your tools thoroughly after every use. An easy way to coat them in oil is to fill a 5-gallon bucket with sand and dump two quarts of vegetable oil into it. Using a trowel, thoroughly combine the oil and sand. Before putting your tools away, dunk them into the bucket of sand. It will come out with a light coating of oil.

Comments

  • yarrow Apr 14, 2009
    Great video! Thanks!
  • yarrow Apr 14, 2009
    Great video! Thanks!
  • Jan 04, 2006
    I keep a 5 gallon bucket in my tool shed full of play sand. To this, I add 1 quart of used motor oil. When I am done using the tools, I simply push the blade into the bucket and work it a few times. This not only cleans the dirt and grime from the blade, it also serves the purpose of oiling without a dripping mess. Don't use too much oil, 1 quart in a 5 gallon bucket works just fine. This keeps the sand from sticking to the blade. Afterward, I wipe the blade with an old rag, my tools stay clean, sharp, and rust-free.
  • Jan 04, 2006
    I keep a 5 gallon bucket in my tool shed full of play sand. To this, I add 1 quart of used motor oil. When I am done using the tools, I simply push the blade into the bucket and work it a few times. This not only cleans the dirt and grime from the blade, it also serves the purpose of oiling without a dripping mess. Don't use too much oil, 1 quart in a 5 gallon bucket works just fine. This keeps the sand from sticking to the blade. Afterward, I wipe the blade with an old rag, my tools stay clean, sharp, and rust-free.
Follow eHow

Related Ads

Featured