I came across the Evapo-Rust Rust-Block solution while looking for ways to make sure my plane iron and sole stay clean and rust-free for as long as possible after setup and sharpening. I’ve been using either WD-40 or wax for the most part, and these seem to work fine. However, they do tend to attract dust and grime.
On Amazon, the Evapo-Rust Rust-Block costs about $7 and comes with a spray applicator.
It is advertised as a “non-corrosive, non-flammable and biodegradable” solution for preventing (not removing) rust on “auto parts, tools, sporting goods, grills, hardware, lawn and garden equipment and more”.
Rust-Block is a water-based solution, just spray it on the surface you want to protect. Leave it to dry, and you’ll have a non-tacky protective surface that is supposed to prevent rust for up to 12 months. It dies as quickly as water. In fact, it looks and feels like water.
The catch? It only works indoors and cannot be exposed to moisture.
So if after spraying Rust-Block you happen to rub it down with water, you would have removed it all. This sounds redundant, but Rust-Block is advertised as a temporary solution to prevent rust (flash-rust) while preparing a surface or object for finishing and painting.
Testing Evapo-Rust Rust-Block on Plane Iron
I took out the plane iron and chip breaker from my Stanley No.4, which I picked up from eBay. I remove any existing rust on it, sharpened it, and rinse it with warm water.
I then sprayed on Rust-Block using the spray applicator on both surfaces.
As you can see, it looks like I just sprayed some water on them. The look and consistency of the solution are almost identical to water. I left it to dry, then placed both pieces somewhere with no moisture.
Three weeks later, I noticed absolutely no rust on both the plane iron and chip breaker.
I’m quite happy to say that Rust-Block works as advertised. It protected a freshly washed and cleaned steel surface almost perfectly, with zero tackiness. Excited, I placed the iron back into my Stanley #4 and put it back on my workbench for us.
Now here’s the flipside to Rust-Block…
After about a month, I started to notice a lot of rust in the middle of the iron. I can only assume that beads of sweat from my forehead (yes, I sweat while hand-planing) dripped into this area, removing the protection from Rust-Block.
When I compare the blade I’ve protected with Rust-Block to other irons that I’ve rubbed down with either WD-40 or shop wax more than three months ago, it seems like the Rust-Block iron had more surface rust.
Rust-Block Conclusion – Great for One Purpose
So here’s my conclusion.
It is an excellent solution for protecting surfaces that you do not plan to use. You’re planning to store it away in a dry place, or you’re going to paint over it soon. Again, this is what it is advertised as, although I’m not sure if most people read the instructions.
For things that you’re going to be using, there’s absolutely no way you can prevent moisture from getting on it. For heavy-use things like the hand plane, it’s better to use WD-40 or wax because it repels moisture.
I have zero regrets about getting the Evapo-Rust Rust-Block. Now that I’m going to move my things to a new workshop, I’m going to spray Rust-Block on almost everything after cleaning.
However, when I start using them again, I have to make a mental note to wipe away the Rust-Block coat and spray some WD-40 on my tools, or I’ll have rust building up quickly.
I recommend Evapo-Rust Rust-Block if you use it for it’s intended purpose.
