Rust needs iron, oxygen and water. Salt and acid speed it up, which is why road salt, sea air and sweaty hands all make it worse. You can't keep air off your tools, but you can keep water and acid off the steel, and that's really all rust prevention is.
Dealing with rust that's already there
Light orange surface rust can be stopped completely. If it's flaking, or there are pits in the metal, some of the steel has already gone. You can stop it getting worse but you won't get that metal back.
On heavy rust, use a wire brush. On anything with a finish you care about, use 0000 steel wool with a few drops of Ballistol Universal Oil, which lifts the rust without scratching. Wipe away whatever comes off.
Then put a thin coat of Ballistol on the bare metal. It leaves an alkaline film that neutralises acids such as hand sweat, and it's thin enough to creep into the seams and joints where rust tends to start. Wipe off the excess. A thin film protects just as well and doesn't collect dust.
The film won't last forever. Outdoors in winter, top it up roughly once a month. Indoors, every few months is plenty.
Oil, paint or wax?
Oil isn't the answer to everything. Paint is better on gates, railings and bodywork, anything that doesn't move, although once it chips, rust gets underneath and spreads. Galvanising or plating is the best bet for new outdoor fixings, but it has to be done before the part goes into use. Wax suits long-term storage, though it can be a bit tacky.
Oil comes into its own on things that move or get handled: tools, guns, hinges, locks and chains. Whatever you use, keeping things dry helps.
Where rust usually starts
Tools
Clean off soil and sap after use, dry them and wipe over with an oily cloth. Before winter, give everything in the shed a proper coat.
Guns
Hand sweat on bare steel is one of the commonest causes of rust spots on guns. Wipe the metalwork after handling it and after every outing. Our shotgun cleaning guide has the full routine.
Bikes
Chains, bolts and exposed cable rust fastest after wet rides. Clean them, dry them and lube them. The Bike Care range has something for each.
Cars
Oil is useful on bare metal you can get at: door hinges, locks, battery terminals, tow bars and underbody bolts. It won't do anything for rust bubbling up through the paint. That rust is already under the paintwork and needs cutting back, treating and painting, or it'll keep spreading. Get stone chips touched up quickly and you'll avoid most of it. If the rust is anywhere near something structural, get a garage to look at it.
Keep oil off the glass while you work on hinges and locks. A fine mist drifting onto the windscreen makes the wipers smear, and our guide on how to clean windscreen glass without streaks covers getting it clear again.
Stainless steel
Yes, it can rust. It usually shows up as brown tea staining, caused by salt, chlorine cleaners or tiny particles of ordinary steel from tools. Clean the staining off, rinse and dry it. Near the coast, a light wipe of oil helps.
Things in storage
Wrap stored parts in an oiled cloth rather than putting them in cardboard boxes, which hold damp. Sealed plastic covers can trap condensation, so a breathable one is better. A dehumidifier in a garage, shed or gun cabinet does more than most people expect.
One more that catches people out: if you've used vinegar or an acid rust remover, the cleaned steel will flash-rust within hours. Rinse it, dry it and oil it straight away. And if the part's going to be painted, degrease it first, because paint won't stick to oil.
Questions people ask
Does oil actually stop rust? Yes, as long as the film is intact. It wears off things that get handled or live outside, so it needs topping up.
Is Ballistol safe on paint and plastics? It's suitable for oil-resistant plastics and rubber, and people use it on car door seals in winter. Test it somewhere hidden first.
Why is my stainless steel rusting? Usually salt, a chlorine-based cleaner, or contamination from ordinary steel. Clean it and keep it dry.
Ballistol Universal Oil comes in spray cans, bottles, a 15ml pen for small jobs and packs of oil wipes for the glovebox or range bag.
More guides: How to Clean a Bike Chain · How to Clean Windscreen Glass · How to Clean an Air Rifle Barrel
