Unfortunately, coping with rust is an integral part of many projects around the home, garage or vehicle. While you may have to work with old rusty parts, with a little effort you do not have to live with rust on tools and new hardware. Here are few tips for preventing rusty tools, nuts, bolts, screws and so forth.

Keep tools and other ferrous metal hardware from rusting by keeping moisture out of your tool box or wherever you store these items. Next time you buy an electronic item, save the desiccant bags that often comes with the packing. Then place it in the toolbox or other storage location. You can also make a desiccant using uncooked rice to absorb moisture. Place the rice in a bag made of cheesecloth or other porous material. Replace the rice when it becomes moist. Plastic bags will not work because they are not porous. Old timers might remember keeping tools in a wooden box to which they added camphor and dry sawdust. Substitute moth balls for camphor, if they have not available.

Keep infrequently used tools and parts from rusting by placing them in plastic bags after coating with a thin oil coating. Place a piece of soft chalk in the bag as a desiccant. Seal bag with masking tape or use a Zip-lock bag.

Before putting nuts, bolts, screws or other small hardware into jars or cans, coat with oil, petroleum jelly, or hand cream. Or spray with a silicone lubricant like WD-40. The greasy residue will also provide lubrication and thus require less effort when you attempt to turn them with a wrench or screwdriver.

Clean up lightly rusted tools and parts using a steel wool dipped in penetrating oil or kerosene. While penetrating oil will usually loosen rusted nuts and bolts, so will Coke Cola. Pepsi or most other carbonated drinks will work as well. Clean up afterwards, to prevent a sticky mess.

Then coat tools and hardware with a film of oil or silicone lubricant. Anything from clean motor oil to olive oil will work. However, some vegetable oils can become rancid with time. Apply using a small paintbrush or old toothbrush so it gets into crevices.