A hammer is needed for everything: hanging a picture, fixing furniture, building a frame at the allotment. But a dirty or rusty head glances off nails, marks surfaces and spoils the job.
In a garage, on a balcony or in a shed, where winter and spring are damp, steel soon develops orange spots. Looking after the head takes half an hour and the result is immediate: the hammer strikes true again and looks like new.
What you will need
Important: Keep the product off the hammer handle: a slippery handle can fly out of your hand mid swing. If any gets on it, wipe it completely dry.
Step 1
Sand the head
Work over the steel head with 220 grit sandpaper. It removes rust and dirt well and prepares the surface without scratching the metal. Do not go coarser (a lower grit number), as that can damage the steel. Sand the striking face evenly without rounding its edges.
Step 2
Wipe with a damp cloth
Soak a cloth in warm water and wipe the head to pick up the dust and rust particles from sanding. Do not skip this: the protective product needs a clean surface. Then dry the head straight away.
Step 3
Apply WD-40
Take the second, dry cloth and spray WD-40 Multi-Use onto it. Work it into the whole surface of the head, leaving no area untreated. The precision straw of WD-40 Smart Straw reaches the gaps around the wedge and inside the claw. Leave for about ten minutes.
Step 4
Wipe off the excess
Remove surplus product from the head with a paper towel. A thin protective film remains on the steel, displacing moisture and keeping rust from coming back. Check once more that the handle is dry.
Step 5
Check the fit and store it properly
Make sure the head does not wobble on the handle and the wedge is tight. A loose head can fly off when striking, so repair such a hammer before using it.
Only store the tool completely dry, in a clean box or on a wall rack. Damp tools gather condensation, which is where rust begins. It is worth wiping out the toolbox itself too.
Tip: If you have been working in the rain or a wet cellar, just wipe the head with a cloth and a drop of WD-40 before putting it away. Deep cleaning will then rarely be needed.
What next
Repeat the treatment as soon as the first orange spots appear, and in the damp season give it a preventive wipe every few months. Chisels, sledgehammers and spanners can be cared for the same way, and for badly rusted tools see our guide to restoring old rusty tools.
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».