Rusty Chain - want to clean and protect a little

[Northstar9126]

As others have said "drag them down the drive way". Then I spray paint them orange so that I can find them when I leave them in the woods. It lasts a couple of years, then I repeat the process.

 

[MrJimi]

As others have said "drag them down the drive way". Then I spray paint them orange so that I can find them when I leave them in the woods. It lasts a couple of years, then I repeat the process.

Try dropping them in an old can of ( whatever color paint ) and hang to dry

 

[SPYDERLK]

As others have said "drag them down the drive way". Then I spray paint them orange so that I can find them when I leave them in the woods. It lasts a couple of years, then I repeat the process.

Perfect. I paint mine with a cheap baby blue aerosol paint I found that clashes with everything in nature. All things on a chain used in the dirt are temporary. I just repaint when the color rubs off. Keeps em reasonably clean and easy to find. Rust converter will wear off chain just like paint and is more expensive.

larry​

 

[dqdave1]

check out POR 15; this may work well. Can get it on ebay. ( por 15 outlet store)

 

[Soundguy]

I'm scared to buy a chain at harbor freight. How many people have bought things there that actually held up very long? I'd hate to have a chain break on me and come whipping through the back window. I lost a friend in the navy that way when one broke and hit him.

Any time I use a chain in a pull situation, i alwys use an energy arrestor/disipator.. IE.. a length of firehose slid over it.. or a heavy moving blanket draped over it... makes em drop link a rock for most 'normal' sized chain 3/8 and down

Soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

Perfect. I paint mine with a cheap baby blue aerosol paint I found that clashes with everything in nature. All things on a chain used in the dirt are temporary. I just repaint when the color rubs off. Keeps em reasonably clean and easy to find. Rust converter will wear off chain just like paint and is more expensive.

larry​

I spraypaint mine red.. it makes them easy to ID when your buddies pick them up..

Soundguy

 

[schiker]

Ok maybe I will rethink the paint POR-15 or Rustoleum etc. Being easy to spot is a great benefit. Chain is easy to misplace temporarily when working with it intermittently and easy to have others walk off with it by accident or on purpose. A bright personalized color would deter the later.

I just tried a Permatex Rust Treatment in a spray can "79DA" or Item # 81849. About $4-6 if I remember right. I picked it up at O'Rileys (similar to Autozone). It converted some rust to black but I missed quite a few areas. I'll see how it stands up. I like a dip method better but don't want to spend $40 yet. I'll try the paint sometime too and compare.

Yeah I drag the chain too guys. Gloves will clean off the orange dust too. It usually only bothers me when I haven't used the chain in while and its dusty with rust. Just checking to see if there was any better trick out there I missed.

BTW I have washed rope that gets stiff from being out or old too. Put a little fabric softener in it and its more pliable after and easier to use.

 

[dknarnd]

check out POR 15; this may work well. Can get it on ebay. ( por 15 outlet store)

This stuff works pretty good, I have used it on several pieces I have repainted on my JD B, metal garage door, christmas tree stand..... and more.

 

[Ford850]

I think Mrjimi has the best solution. Dip it in paint. I have steel traps that I dye with the "modern" dips. It is nothing more than oil based paint that you thin 3:1 and dip the rusty steel traps in the mixture for a few seconds to soak in. Pull them out and hang them for a week in the sun and the "dye" is dry, hard, and there is no order. It lasts for a couple of years or so, eventually chipping off under hard use. Keep in mind these traps are set under water, mud, or soil for weeks at a time. A thinned oil based paint would be plenty durable for a chain, and would last for years under normal use.

 

[jimmer2880]

about 15 years ago, I bought one of those gold colored chains from TSC. I'm not sure what coating it has on it. But, that chain has gotten a fair amt of use and has not rusted at all. I have used it IN the water, in dirt, everything. I store it inside of my truck, but it's never well taken care of.

So, my answer is, time to upgrade chains