Sword Maintenance

General Tips

As a general rule, the blade should be cleaned first, before sealing against moisture. This can be done with a variety of agents, including soapy water (if thoroughly dried immediately afterward), or rubbing alcohol. Windex and other glass cleaners are quick and easy. WD-40 can be used to displace remaining moisture, as well as loosen oils and some surface rust.

Removal of existing surface rust can be done after cleaning via rust-removers such as CLR (Calcium Lime Rust, available at most hardware stores), and even WD-40. Deeper rust may require sandpaper and steel wool used with oil, however you can damage the finish. Polishing can be done to restore some luster, using polishing materials like MetalGlo.

The sword will then need to be protected against future rusting by coating it. Any sort of oil or wax can do the job, though some popular choices are gun oil, mineral oil, Renaissance Wax, and Turtle Wax. Many oils will leave a visible film, though your results may vary. Only a very thin coating is necessary to block moisture. WD-40 is good for cleaning and loosening rust, as it digs deep into the pores of the metal, but is a poor sealant in the long-run as it evaporates. Renaissance Wax is a material meant for protecting swords, but also has a mild polishing agent in it.

Storing the blade inside a scabbard has the potential to encourage rust, since wood and leather have the capability of drawing moisture from the air and holding it close to the metal. However, if the blade is oiled, or the scabbard contains a wool lining, this may not be a concern, though you may not want the blade oiling the inside of the scabbard.