Every farmer, mechanic, and contractor knows that a tool is only as good as the care it receives. There’s nothing worse than reaching for a spanner or power drill, only to find it’s rusted, blunt, or completely seized. But with a bit of proactive maintenance and smart storage, your tools can serve you reliably for years.
Don’t Just Use Them – Clean Them
After a long day in the field or workshop, it’s tempting to toss your tools in the box and call it a day. Don’t. Dirt, oil, and moisture are the silent assassins of metal tools. A quick wipe-down with a clean rag and a spray of degreaser or water-displacing oil can go a long way.
For example, the Sealey Maintenance Spray is perfect for cleaning off grime and protecting surfaces from corrosion. It’s a workshop staple that does double duty as a cleaner and rust preventative.
Store Smartly, Not Randomly
Leaving tools in a heap or exposed to the elements guarantees early retirement for your gear. Use proper toolboxes, wall racks, or shadow boards. Moisture is the enemy, so make sure storage areas are dry and well-ventilated.
Add silica gel packs or a moisture absorber in your toolbox if you work in humid conditions. It’s a cheap way to fend off rust.
Sharpen, Don’t Struggle
Cutting tools like chisels, snips, and drill bits dull over time. Continuing to use them in that state only makes your job harder and risks damaging the tool further. Invest in a decent sharpening stone or grinder. Even five minutes of sharpening every few uses can dramatically extend tool life.
Lubricate Moving Parts
Tools with hinges, ratchets, or moving mechanisms need lubrication just like machinery. A seized-up grease gun or rusted pipe wrench is more than annoying—it’s a productivity killer.
We recommend keeping a can of Sealey Tool & Machinery Lubricant in your workshop. A quick spray keeps moving parts smooth and protected against wear.
Use the Right Tool for the Job
Yes, it’s tempting to grab the nearest thing with a handle when you’re in a rush—but using a spanner as a hammer or a screwdriver as a pry bar leads to breakages. Not only is it dangerous, but it also shortens the life of your tools and risks injury.
If you’re using your gear day in and day out, invest in purpose-built tools designed for heavy-duty use.
Check for Wear and Damage Regularly
Don’t wait for a catastrophic failure. Make a habit of checking your tools once a week—look for cracked handles, loose parts, or frayed cords. It’s far cheaper to replace a handle or bolt than the entire tool (or worse, deal with an injury).
Keep Rust at Bay
Rust is like cancer for tools—once it sets in, it spreads quickly. Prevention is key. Keep your tools dry, and apply a light coating of anti-rust spray before storage.
The Sealey Universal maintenance spray with PTFE creates a protective barrier that repels moisture and oxygen, keeping rust from forming in the first place. It’s especially useful for tools stored over winter.
Keep Your Gear in Fighting Shape
Tools are an investment—often a pricey one. But with the right care, they can last a lifetime. It doesn’t take much: a bit of cleaning, the right storage, and regular maintenance. Think of it like brushing your teeth—you wouldn’t skip that, would you?
Want to give your tools the TLC they deserve? Head over to MultimaxDirect.com to check out our full range of Sealey maintenance and protection products. Your tools—and your wallet—will thank you.