The hand plane has survived centuries without fundamental changes and still sits in every joinery shop, garage and hobby cellar. In those spaces, though, its worst enemy is never far away: damp, which quickly turns a cast iron sole and blade rusty.
Unless the plane has done particularly heavy work, a monthly service and a few good habits are enough. Then it cuts cleanly and easily instead of tearing the grain.
What you will need
Important: A plane blade is extremely sharp: hold it only by the sides and wear gloves. Before planing timber you intend to varnish, wipe the sole completely dry so nothing marks the workpiece.
Step 1
Strip the plane completely
Remove the lever cap, the blade and chip breaker, then unscrew the frog and adjuster. Lay the parts out in order on a cloth.
If screws are seized, apply WD-40 Specialist Penetrant to the threads, wait 10-15 minutes and undo them with a screwdriver that fits the slot exactly.
Step 2
Give it a general clean
Remove shavings and dust with a brush or compressed air. Treat dried resin and grime with WD-40 Multi-Use: spray, wait a few seconds and work a cloth into every corner of the body.
Brass parts that are not badly tarnished only need wiping with the same cloth.
Step 3
Remove the rust
Shallow rust does little harm if you deal with it promptly. Clear small patches on the body and sole with 0000 steel wool or an abrasive pad wetted with WD-40 Multi-Use, which helps lift the corrosion.
Then wipe everything dry with paper towels.
Step 4
Sharpen the blade
Take rust and dullness off the blade with a few passes on a 1000 grit stone, holding the angle with a honing guide. If you wish, refine the edge on 4000 and 8000 stones.
Also flatten the back of the blade and the edge of the chip breaker so it seats tightly and shavings do not jam underneath.
Step 5
Protect and reassemble
Before reassembly apply WD-40 Multi-Use to all metal parts and the body, then after a few minutes spread it into a thin film. It displaces moisture and protects against rust in storage.
Put a drop of WD-40 Specialist White Lithium Grease on the adjuster thread and lateral lever so they move smoothly. Reassemble the plane and set the blade depth.
Step 6
Prepare the sole for work
Before planing, wipe the sole dry and rub it with a candle or paraffin wax. The plane glides more easily and leaves nothing on the timber that could spoil a finish.
Store the plane on its side or with the blade retracted to protect the edge.
Tip: In an unheated garage keep the plane in a wooden box with a sachet of silica gel: sharp temperature swings in autumn and spring cause condensation on cold cast iron, and rust can appear overnight.
What next
Do a full service monthly, and after working damp or resinous timber wipe the plane down with WD-40 Multi-Use straight away. Chisels, scrapers and woodworking clamps can be looked after the same way.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».