rusted secateurs

[pigeonseed]

Someone's nicked my secatuers from the back garden - but coincidentally I found some old rusted up ones at the backof the allotment.

I tried squirting a bit of WD40 on them but it didnt work. They really are quite rusty.

Does anyone know a way we can get them working again?

[pigeonseed]

[PJW_Letchworth]

I would suggest taking them apart if you can and then cleaning them with fine wet and dry paper to remove the rust.  Use wire wool if the rust is really bad.  Once you have them as good as new, spray with WD40 again to keep them rust free and in good working order.

Good luck!

[Jeannine]

Soak them in oil for a week, we did this with a  spanner thing that had a wheel thingy on it, we found it on a beach locked solid, the oil freed itXX

[Robert_Brenchley]

I've done the same with old tools; soak then and keep working at it. Sometimes if it's really bad you just have to dismantle them. Secateurs are likely to need sharpening once the bits are all moving properly.

[pigeonseed]

okay I'll try soaking - is veg oil ok or should it be some machine lubricating type of oil?

[Robert_Brenchley]

Use a penetrating oil, and be prepared to give it loads of time.