alternatives to CRC 556 ?

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1101

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#293480 25-Jan-2022 10:44

Hi . Any cheap or better alternatives to the old CRC 556 ?

Just to spray my tools (spanners, saws , garden tools etc) to prevent surface rust & give a mild lube for garden shears etc

The 4L of 556 I bought 20+ years ago is now almost all gone. :-)
I dont think I'll buy 4L again . Having a refillable hand spray bottle seemed to be better than aerosol cans though

timmmay

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#2856006 25-Jan-2022 10:52

I use a generic silicone spray from the hardware store. Costs about $10.

xpd

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#2856008 25-Jan-2022 10:53

WD40 ? :)

XPD / Gavin

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Gordy7

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#2856009 25-Jan-2022 10:54

CRC 2.26 for delicate jobs

CRC 5.56 for run of the mill

WD40 for run of the mill

CRC 66 Marine for heavier jobs

I had a 4L CRC 556 but it is more convenient to use the cans.

Gordy

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Inphinity

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#2856015 25-Jan-2022 10:57

If the smell bugs you, the low odour variant seems just as effective in my experience. WD-40 is also good. Not sure about cheaper, most of the budget variants are much the same price as CRC or WD-40 (around $10 - $12 for a ~500ml spray) so haven't bothered with them.

mdf

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#2856017 25-Jan-2022 10:58

I use the CRC 4Ls too. Though there is no way the current way is lasting 20 years! I do tend to slosh it around - it's fine, I've got a whole 4L to use!

1101

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#2856035 25-Jan-2022 11:18

mdf:

I use the CRC 4Ls too. Though there is no way the current way is lasting 20 years! I do tend to slosh it around - it's fine, I've got a whole 4L to use!

4L is cheaper than I remember

4L = $67
.5l spray can = $10 - $13 approx

Looks like WD40 is no longer just a water dispersant (was it ever just that ? ). its now more a do everything , lube , protect , Multi Use .

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neb

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#2856322 25-Jan-2022 21:28

mdf:
I use the CRC 4Ls too. Though there is no way the current way is lasting 20 years! I do tend to slosh it around - it's fine, I've got a whole 4L to use!

I use 5-56 4L but never spray it, apply it with a fine brush, that way you get what you want where you want it rather than having half of it aerosolised around the room.

There's also a bunch of other things you can use if you want long-term protection and don't care too much about appearances, e.g. Boeshield or equivalent.

Edited to add: Floetrol is also good if you can find it, same sort of effect as Boeshield.

RunningMan

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#2856372 25-Jan-2022 21:56

WD40 smells better.

neb

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#2856374 25-Jan-2022 22:13

RunningMan:
WD40 smells better.

Apparently it also tastes better for frying, and the fish don't stick to the pan.

(No, that's not a joke).

nickb800

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#2856403 26-Jan-2022 06:01

I use automatic transmission fluid for rust prevention on tools (put keep it in a twist-top tomato sauce bottle to dispense). Save CRC/WD40 for things where you actually need to spray it e.g. freeing up bolts

steve2222

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#2856416 26-Jan-2022 07:35

Our local 'Dollar" shop had spray cans (cant recall name on it) but it was fine and way cheaper than CRC/WD-40.

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MikeAqua

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#2857198 27-Jan-2022 15:33

If you're only using 200ml per year I would think price isn't a big deal.

Personally I like WD-40 in the can with the bendable spray nozzle as I can get it exactly where I want it. I find it has really good directed pressure so you can get it forcefully in between corroded parts or whatever.

If I wanted to just liberally coat something, I'd use whatever is cheapest in a spray bottle.

Mike