Topics: Tools, Cleaning

Q.
How do I clean my pliers and wire cutters? They have become rusty and old looking.
- Donna
A.
Fine steel wool or a steel wire brush can remove quite a bit of rust from the surface of steel tools. There are also rust inhibitors, such as WD-40, that can be used with tool steel to clean the rust off and at the same time season the metal to prevent further rusting.

Tools will get rusty sitting in a toolbox or on a workbench regardless of their age. The culprit is moisture in the atmosphere. To help inhibit the rust issue, after working as much rust off as possible, coat the tools with the rust inhibitor and store these refurbished tools in a secure plastic bag.

- Sandra Lupo, Metalsmith, Jewelry Artist and Instructor

Materials

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