coating metal to prevent rust

[Taye]

Hi, me again. i have a setup that is fairly good for me. i forge outside and store my forge and anvil in a garage. however it has no space for my collection of scrap that looks useable. this leaves my metal on a big rack outside. For the things that are already rusted to the point of no return i dont mind this so much BUT i do have some respectable pieces of metal. My question is this: would coating my metal in some smoke from my coal forge fire prevent rust to any extent?

[Timothy Miller]

The residue that coal smoke leaves behind accelerates rusting in my experience. You might try coating the steel in wax or grease but it will eventfully fail and you will have to deal with the fumes and or cleaning it off. It is best to store stock inside.

[CurlyGeorge]

Coal ash has sulphurdioxide in it. When wet, it turns to acid, which increases rust. I suspect, but don't know for sure, that the smoke may do the same.

[Taye]

Coal ash has sulphurdioxide in it. When wet, it turns to acid, which increases rust. I suspect, but don't know for sure, that the smoke may do the same.

how strong would the acid be?

[John B]

Hi, me again. i have a setup that is fairly good for me. i forge outside and store my forge and anvil in a garage. however it has no space for my collection of scrap that looks useable. this leaves my metal on a big rack outside. For the things that are already rusted to the point of no return i dont mind this so much BUT i do have some respectable pieces of metal. My question is this: would coating my metal in some smoke from my coal forge fire prevent rust to any extent?

Not noticeably. If you want to prevent rust you could use a paintbrush and brush oil or other water repellant medium over the bars, and try to cover them to keep water off. Condensation can be a problem and accelerate rusting, depends on your location somewhat.

Surface rust will come off when you are forging them, just wire brush vigorously when hot, then forge.