- 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.
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