How to get rid of rust from tools?
Once again the new season is here and you’re searching for your gardening tools, only to discover they’ve rusted badly. The problem goes beyond them, to even your carpentry and woodworking tools. Your rose pruners were no exception.
Though it may be tempting to replace cheaper tools with more expensive ones, that doesn’t resolve the problem. Is there anything else we can do? Here’s a quick guide which can help you get your rusted tools back in game.
Things you will need
- Sandpaper, high grit and low grit
- Steel wool and/or a scouring pad
- A bunch of rags to ruin
- Liquid detergent
Step 1
Prepare
To get started, prepare the workspace, whether it’s on the tool bench or the driveway tarp. Getting rust particulates into the wrong place is not what you need.
Avoid doing this indoors. You’ll need air flow and a surface that doesn’t matter much if it gets dirty.
Step 2
The Basics
Use the liquid detergent to make a bowl or bucket of soapy water. Scrub your tools with steel wool or a scouring pad dipped in soapy water with the goal of removing dirt, dust, oil, grease, and other unwanted contaminants.
Dry them completely after cleaning. Take care not to scratch the tools when you scrub, especially with steel wool. A softer kitchen cleaning pad might be more suitable.
Step 3
Get most rust out
When you have finished drying your tools, make sure they are completely dry. With the sandpaper, begin scraping off the loose rust from the rusted surfaces.
At the end, you should be left with embedded patches of rust left. Sandpaper should be used first, and then fine sandpaper.
Our goal here is to remove as much rust as possible by scratching up the surfaces of the remaining parts so that WD-40 can get inside and work its magic.
Step 4
Time for some WD-40 Action
After you have scrubbed your tools, apply some WD-40. Simply spray and rinse and you’re done. It’s suitable for removing rust from your tools.
If you don’t want to spend a lot of time and effort restoring your tools, it’s better and faster. It’s also cheaper.
A bottle can be reused for a lot of things. It’s what I do these days, and it’s ideal if you don’t mind waiting a few days for shipping.
Final Word
The best thing you can do to prevent rust on your tools is to keep them dry and spray them with WD-40. WD-40 is available nearly everywhere, even online, especially on Amazon or at any hardware store.
Disclaimer
The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.
Related Tutorials
April 16, 2021
Related Products
Need some advice?
Come and discover all our DIY, maintenance, auto, bicycle tutorials!
Language
Contact Us
© 2025 WD-40 Company.
All Rights Reserved