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How Do I Fix Rusty Pliers And Get Them Working Again: Learn How Here
How do I fix rusty pliers so they work again? Learn how to remove the rust and get the jaws of the pliers moving again. Unless the metal parts have corroded to the point of falling apart, the tool is salvageable and can be made to work again.
Follow these simple instructions to fix your pliers.
Introduction
We’ve all done it, or the kids have done it for us. We leave pliers or another tool out in the rain or someplace damp. When we remember and retrieve the pliers, we find them covered with rust.
The tool won’t budge or barely moves and feels like someone welded the two halves together. We can restore this tool to working condition provided the corrosion hasn’t compromised the steel parts.
So just how do I fix rusty pliers so they work again? Follow these steps.
Remove the Rust
Spray the tool with a water-dispersing solvent like WD-40, without using the nozzle tube. Just coat the entire tool and let it soak in for a few minutes. Wipe as much rust off the tool as possible with a paper towel. Insert the tube into the spray nozzle and direct the spray right at the joint where the jaws are joined.
Do both sides and in-between if you can. Let it soak in and try to move the jaws. Repeat this until the jaws are moving through their full range of motion. They probably won’t move smoothly but that is expected.
Remove any plastic or rubber handle covers from the tool. Soak the pliers in white vinegar overnight to remove any remaining rust from inside the joint of the tool. Use more penetrating solvent to wash the tool and work it into the joint.
Wipe the excess away and let the tool sit for a few hours. If there is still rust on the jaws and handles, you’ll probably need to clean them with a rust remover like Naval Jelly. Follow the specific instructions for the rust remover you decide to use.
Oil the Pliers
How do I fix rusty pliers? By lubricating the pliers. Penetrating solvents like WD-40 are good for dissolving small amounts of rust but are poor lubricants. It won’t take long and it most of it will evaporate and the jaws will rust again.
Lubricate the pliers’ joint with a light household or machine oil like 3-in-1 oil. Apply it to the outside of the joints and with the pliers open, to the inside of the joints. Work the jaws back and forth to get the oil inside the joint.
This may take some time and some constant working of the jaws. Clean the oil from the handles and replace the handle covers if they were removed.
Prevent Rust
The key to keeping the rust from returning is to keep oxygen and water from coming in contact with the metal. Air contains both water and oxygen. Prevent further rusting by coating the tool’s exposed surfaces with a very light coating of machine oil.
Usually, it is enough to apply a few drops of oil to the pliers and wipe all the surfaces with a rag, spreading the oil around. How do I fix rusty pliers? By following the above steps. You will have restored them to new life.
Credits and Resources
- Photo by Boviate at Flickr.com
- Clean Rusty Tools: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-rust-from-tools/