Preventing rust

Some of my 6" stainless steel rulers have the same problem. Because I have five of these rulers, I just use the ones that don't have that problem. This question got me thinking, what I would do.

I have a Rubberized Deburring Wheels (they're rubber with brass shaving in the rubber) on both my 5" & 6" bench grinders. One is a Brightboy brand and the other is a Cratex brand https://www.cratex.com/Products/Rubberized-Abrasives/Large-Wheels/Large-Wheels. Designed to debur metal & buff out metal. Both are orangish red in color. Both wheels cost me about $45 each plus shipping.

I use them on knives to polish & sharpen them. Tried it out. Took off the blacken corrosion marks & polished up the metal rulers.

A dry spray lubricant Without silicone my help once cleaned up. Just like protecting the table on the table saw.

I don't know why I didn't try it on the stainless steel rulers before. Since I do it to the knives.

A cheap route is to buy a "Decal Eraser Removal Wheel". Attaches to your drill. https://www.amazon.com/SATC-Removal-Adhesive-Remover-Graphics/dp/B07ZNGPY8G/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=B07ZNGPY8G&psc=1.

Granted we don't have major moisture or rust issues in Southern California but untreated metal still does rust here.
For the rust prevention process in my shop the first few years, I used Camellia Oil to prevent rust on hand tools and cast iron surfaces. It worked "OK" and it was expensive (about $15.00 for an 8 oz bottle). It went a long way but still. I used it dutifully with a kind of cool applicator that came with the first bottle I bought. Still there were these seemingly insignificant rust stains that kept showing up, especially on chisels and planes that weren't used very often. I tried 3 in 1 oil, used it for a good while with basically the same results as the Canola oil. I read that woodworkers raved about using furniture wax to prevent rust, so I tried that for about a year. For me wax didn't work as well as either of the oils. I read somewhere that wax could trap moisture underneath. A machinist friend recommended CRC 3-36 Multipurpose lubricant that displaces moisture and prevents rust. I bought a gallon from Amazon for $30.00 a few years ago (3-4?) and it's still over half way full. I keep it in a spray bottle and a on a couple of soaked rags kept in a small Tupperware container. I use the spray for plane irons and my cast iron surfaces, I spray it on pretty heavily then wipe down with a rag. I use the oily rags on chisels and other tools. This stuff is great! It smells pretty good, and forms a protective layer on the metal that feels dry to the touch. I just don't have a rust problem anymore. So I thought My Lumberjocks buddies would like to know about this great product. I have no affiliation with the maker, just a happy customer. I recommend it highly. After 25 years of following advice and experimentation this is by far the best rust prevention product in my experience.

I read this thread yesterday morning and then yesterday afternoon Stumpy Nubs posted a Cool Tools video with Zerust Rust Protection Capsules in it.

Apparently you just throw it in to a toolbox or such and it prevents rust for 2 years. I see they are also popular with firearm storage, as well.

Stumpy also mentioned that they have covers for table saws, jointers and such.

Granted we don't have major moisture or rust issues in Southern California but untreated metal still does rust here.
For the rust prevention process in my shop the first few years, I used Camellia Oil to prevent rust on hand tools and cast iron surfaces. It worked "OK" and it was expensive (about $15.00 for an 8 oz bottle). It went a long way but still. I used it dutifully with a kind of cool applicator that came with the first bottle I bought. Still there were these seemingly insignificant rust stains that kept showing up, especially on chisels and planes that weren't used very often. I tried 3 in 1 oil, used it for a good while with basically the same results as the Canola oil. I read that woodworkers raved about using furniture wax to prevent rust, so I tried that for about a year. For me wax didn't work as well as either of the oils. I read somewhere that wax could trap moisture underneath. A machinist friend recommended CRC 3-36 Multipurpose lubricant that displaces moisture and prevents rust. I bought a gallon from Amazon for $30.00 a few years ago (3-4?) and it's still over half way full. I keep it in a spray bottle and a on a couple of soaked rags kept in a small Tupperware container. I use the spray for plane irons and my cast iron surfaces, I spray it on pretty heavily then wipe down with a rag. I use the oily rags on chisels and other tools. This stuff is great! It smells pretty good, and forms a protective layer on the metal that feels dry to the touch. I just don't have a rust problem anymore. 7I have no affiliation with the maker, just a happy customer. I recommend it highly. After 25 years of following advice and experimentation this is by far the best rust prevention product in my experience.