So I just got a brand new multi-tool and I just want to clean it after it was thoroughly mucked up on its first outing. No big deal, but would be nice to know an efficient way to clean and preserve the integrity of the tool.

Would appreciate any advice, thanks.

It's a tool for working on a bike, not something eat with. Wipe it down with a rag or paper towel and move on. Any oil film left on it will only help. Overly cleaning will remove any film, and leave it more prone to rusting.

If the tool is cast aluminum, verify that it will fit everything it's meant to on your bike. That was all of the maintenance mine has received in about thirty years.

Brad

Whilst I agree with FB I also know first hand that cleanliness is serious business in Singapore. You could give it a bath in a solvent then apply a light coating to protect, however a product like Break Free CLP would make this easy. The CLP stands for clean/lubricate/protect all in one spray. US and Nato forces use it or another version of it for their firearms for many years and maybe still do.

Firearms release gun powder when used, tools do not.

I've been wrenching on cars, motorcycles, scooters, bicycles and printing plant machinery
for over 25 years now. At one point I was a paid mechanic when I worked for a Porsche
and Audi dealership. I also worked as a tool salesman for Snap-on Tools for a while. I just
wipe my tools downs with a clean rag when they get dirty. Light oil will help with some
rusting and to clean up the appearance a bit.

SCREWDRIVERS by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

And old toothbrush is good for getting dirt out of tight spots.

What tool? Many are held together with hex head bolts and can be disassembled. Just remember how everything went together.

CLP is great stuff. I use it.

Thanks for the advice guys. I just wanted to ensure my bike maintenance was on the right track - some people pick up poor habits and end up damaging their equipment for years without realizing it.

Glad I could tap into the vast repository of bike knowledge that is BikeForums.

There is also another great gun cleaning liquid, G-96, which is great for cleaning and leaving a protective coating on metal. Just make sure it is allowed to dry on a paper towel before stuffing it anywhere.

Speaking of such things, after a long rainy ride (separate story), I've got a multitool that's covered in rust. Is there a good way to clean the rust off and keep it from recurring?

The rust can usually be removed by soaking in vinegar. it can be prevented by keeping a film of oil on the surface.

I dive, and like most divers have a stainless steel dive knife. For those unfamiliar, even stainless steel isn't proof against the ravages of sea water, and most dive knives get corroded along the way. My friend marvel that my old (cheap) knife is in pristine condition despite repeated use. The secret is my diet. I often bring salami and cheese to dive sites as a snack, while others bring sandwiches. Using my knife to slice salami, leaves it with a greasy film, that stays on even as I dipe the knife off. That film is what protects my knife from the sea.

Likewise, if you use your multi-tool and it gets dirty and oily, and you only wipe off the worst of it, the film will keep your tool from rusting. Those who diligently wash their tools have rust issues, while those who use them often won't.

This may disgust some of the OCDC people, but I found a steel multi-tool covered in rust and have left it that way, except that I rubbed with oil. The oil gave it a brown sheen and rendered it immune from further rust with normal use. It reminds me of the treatment British soldiers gave their "Brown Bess" muskets in the 18th C., although that treatment was a little more involved. I've seen the brown patina on other old tools. It may just be due to handling a slightly rusted surface. Kind of attractive, actually.

I vacuum all my tools and then secure them to the roof of my car with duct tape. Then I drive through the car wash.
After that, I dunk them all in a 55 gallon drum of crude oil before wiping them down and returning them to the toolbox.

I gotta try that!

How inefficient. I would simply fill the toolbox with oil. They'll never corrode!