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Got rusty pruning shears?
Don’t worry! You can make them look brand new again with a few easy tips.
Ready to bring your tools back to life?
Let’s dive in!
Required Materials:
- Large glass jar or casserole dish
- White vinegar
- Table salt
- Baking soda
- Multipurpose oil
- Carbide sharpening tool or diamond file
- Steel wool
- Clean rag
Restoration Steps:
1. Taking Apart the Shears:
If your pruning shears can be taken apart, start by unscrewing the bolt that holds the blades. This isn’t strictly necessary, but it helps ensure the cleaning solution reaches all inner parts.
2. Rust Removal Using Vinegar and Salt:
In a glass jar or baking dish, mix white vinegar with around 2 tablespoons of salt. Stir until the salt dissolves completely.
3. Submersing the Shears:
Place your shears into the vinegar and salt mixture, making sure they’re completely covered. You may need to add more vinegar. Include the bolt and nut.
4. Soak and Bubble Reaction:
Let the shears soak for 12 to 24 hours. During this time, you’ll see bubbles forming on the rusted parts as the solution does its work.
5. Cleaning off Rust and Scrubbing:
After soaking, a lot of the rust will have loosened. Use steel wool to scrub away the remaining rust.
6. Neutralizing the Vinegar:
To counteract the acidic vinegar, soak the shears in a jar filled with water and about 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Leave them in for around 10 minutes.
7. Drying:
Take the shears out of the baking soda solution and let them air dry completely before moving on.
8. Sharpening:
For lightly rusted pruners, you can clean them with soapy water instead of the vinegar solution. Use a toothbrush to scrub away dirt, sap, and plant debris. Wipe with a clean rag and use steel wool for minor rust spots.
9. Sharpening the Blade:
Use a carbide sharpening tool or diamond file on the beveled edge. Match the tool to the blade’s angle (around 10 to 20 degrees) and swipe it from the back to the tip. Do this 4 to 5 times on each side.
10. Oiling:
Apply a thin coat of multipurpose oil to prevent future rust and keep everything moving smoothly. Rub the oil over the blades and all moving parts with a clean rag. Use the pruners a few times to distribute the oil.
11. Finishing Touches:
Your pruning shears are now restored and ready for use. Test them to see the improvement in performance.