Tool Care With 3-IN-ONE®
This post was sponsored by WD-40® Company, although the content, ideas and presentation is my own.
Take Care of Your Tools
Good tools get the job done efficiently and they’re made to last. They can also be a bit more pricey than their competition. Worn, dull or rusty tools, on the other hand, are difficult and sometimes even dangerous to work with. Taking care of your tools may take a few extra minutes when the job is done, but it’s a time investment that will prevent frustration and save you money.
Prevention is Key
Start with prevention. Always keep metal parts clean and coated with a thin layer of oil. An oiled blade resists grit and crud buildup much better than a dry blade. It keeps it’s edge longer and has smoother action. An oiled joint moves smoothly with less effort than a dry one. This makes for efficient, energy saving motion, which also means reduced metal wear and user fatigue.
That same thin coat of oil on the metal during storage keeps moisture and air away, preventing rust. So a simple coat of oil extends your energy and the tool’s life. I like 3-IN-ONE® for occasional touchups on relatively clean tools, especially small and delicate parts. It’s a water-thin lubricant, just a few drops go a long way, and it dries within moments of application.
Clean Blades, Chains, Cables and Joints
Metal tool blades, chains, cables and joints, all need a little extra attention on occasion, starting with a good cleanup. Dirt, dust, sap and other debris that sticks to metal during moderate to heavy use slows the action of the tool while it’s in use and degrades the metal the rest of the time, leading to rust deposits. Begin cleanup of your tools by brushing off loose, dry debris immediately when the job is finished. Then wipe them down with a dry rag. Some really cruddy jobs may demand that you clean your tools at intervals while you’re working, then go back and detail them at the end of the day.
Cleaning up really sticky residues, like sap, could require the use of a solvent. If the sap is still moist, the 3-IN-ONE® Multi-Purpose Oil with Telescoping Marksman Spout will do the cleanup job while laying down that thin layer of oil at the same time. I like it’s slight viscosity for cleaning up dirty tools while protecting them, without making them “gummy.”
Keep it Sharp
Other than cleaning, preventing rust and lubricating, the last important part of caring for metal tools is keeping them sharp. If it’s designed to cut, it needs to be sharp to be efficient. After sharpening, apply 3-IN-ONE® Multi-Purpose Oil to protect against rust.
3-IN-ONE® Multi-Purpose has been around for more than 120 years with the express purpose of lubricating, cleaning and preventing rust with a single product. For tool care, and many of other applications, it still does it’s job like a champ.
3-IN-ONE® products are available nationally at retailers, such as ACE Hardware, Lowe’s and True Value. To find the stores near you that carry 3-IN-ONE visit 3inone.com and select the “where to buy” button on each product’s detail page.
