How do you keep steel from rusting or getting contaminated?

[Alan]

You’ve probably all been there, you buy some shiny steel stock, set it aside for just a moment, and the next time you reach for it, surprise! There’s surface rust or grime that wasn’t there before. Maybe you’ve tried wiping it down with oil, or perhaps you’ve stacked it off the floor, or maybe you’ve developed your own little routine.

So, I’m really curious what’s your go-to method for keeping steel clean, dry, and ready to roll?

 

[Tempered3dge]

I usually just give mine a quick wipe with some motor oil. Learned that the hard way after a bunch of flat bar rusted on me one summer.

 

[FireAndFury]

I keep any steel I have stacked on wood blocks, so it's off the floor. Had some water get to it from the concrete once, so now I always make sure air can get around it.

 

[crucibleking]

I just hit it with a wire brush, then wipe it down with a rag and some WD-40. Started doing this after finding some gunk on a piece I needed, and it's worked great since.

 

[Ohio Rusty]

I hung PVC pipes to the ceiling joists. I give my long stock a coat of marine grade 80/90 weight grease ( marine grade as it is waterproof) and it is put into the PVC pipes by the different square and round stock sizes. Once a year I recoat all the working stock with the marine grade grease.
Ohio Rusty ><>

 

[Dociron]

I keep my steel on a rack inside the shop. If it rusts its only surface rust and its going to be forged anyway so what does it matter.
It's finished pieces that I worry about rusting !

 

[Alan]

I hung PVC pipes to the ceiling joists. I give my long stock a coat of marine grade 80/90 weight grease ( marine grade as it is waterproof) and it is put into the PVC pipes by the different square and round stock sizes. Once a year I recoat all the working stock with the marine grade grease.

What a smart setup! Using PVC pipe for storage is a brilliant way to utilize overhead space, and that grease routine sounds like a solid plan for long-term protection.

I keep my steel on a rack inside the shop. If it rusts its only surface rust and its going to be forged anyway so what does it matter.
It's finished pieces that I worry about rusting !

That makes perfect sense surface rust isn’t a concern when it’s going to the forge. However with the finished pieces that’s where you really have to be careful.