Looking for sugestions on non oliy, non waxy rust preventative.. Many of my modeling tools are old and made of unpainted carbon steel. Some don't get used often and develope oxidation that varies from browning to occasionally light rust. I don't want to use an oil based rust preventative for risk of getting it on plastic or wood model surfaces. I've used Wipe-Out on other carbon steel items but it feels like a sticky soap film is left on surface. Thanks in advance!
Somewhere in a woodworking magazine I read that Spar Varnish works well for this. It's sold in spray or liquid. Once dry, a very light sanding with something like 400 grit sandpaper or 0000 steel wool completes the task. There's no oily residue it's said. Anyway, you might give it a shot.
So on this subject, if the tools already have some rust on them, then what, an oil bath of some sort plus what ??? before cleaning and applying that varnish?
Sometimes baking soda works. Mix it with water to form a paste, then gob it on the tool and let it sit for several hours. Then grab an old toothbrush, scrub and rinse. This is a safe method for a first attempt, with no harsh chemicals spattering on skin, clothes or the eyes. If this fails, salt and vinegar is an alternate safe old skool method, though I like it better on potato chips ......
Depending on the surface and the finish I use a couple different methods. On blued steel, I like SS wool and oil, and have had very good results. The oil is 1940's vintage surplus USGI in an OD can. The SS is softer than carbon steel and with light hand scrubing doesn't scratch. It will remove rust, but not brown staining. Any type of thin oil will work. If the rust is heavy I used a bench grinder mounted wire wheel. I also have a bench grinder mounted bright boy like polishing wheel. It is a 3M wheel. The grit is more like pencil eraser, much finer than a bright boy. Ive used in on mechanics style hand tools and it doesn't leave scratch marks. A few years ago my wife and I were at an antique shop in SoLanCo Pa. Under the over hang at the back of the barn I found an old heavy duty aquarium stand somebody set up as a sharpening and polishing station. IIRC it has 4 motors , with eight or nine different wheels on it. I got off track again. To remove any oil or gease, I like hot simple green solution. Dawn works well also. The heat helps with oil removal, and also helps speed drying. Small parts go in an inexpensive yard sale ultrasonic cleaner. Most everything I've done so far gets a homemade blend of beeswax, linseed oil and mineral spirits. I don't recommend this on modeling tools.
My next model tool project is a small carbon steel vernier my neighbor found in his garage. I'm going to run it through the rock tumber with some corn cob medial and see how it turns out. Hopefully this will be a time saver.
I've never used it , just seen it on a couple of car fixer shows . Looks like it does a pretty good job bringing back a newish finish .
As a former industrial quality assurance tech that vernier caliber would be junked. But plenty reliable for modeling so best wishes.
