"Still, makes me wonder: is the container itself more important than whatever moisture absorber you're using?"
That's a good point. I've had similar experiences—tried silica gel, rice, even charcoal briquettes (don't laugh, someone swore by them), but still ended up with rusty nails. Eventually, I switched to metal ammo cans with rubber seals, and that seemed to help more than any absorber did. Maybe it's less about what's inside and more about how airtight the container actually is?
As for galvanized nails, I've noticed the same inconsistency. Some batches stay pristine forever, others rust like they're regular steel. Could be manufacturing quality or maybe storage conditions before purchase? I've started wondering if coating them lightly with WD-40 or some other oil might help... Has anyone tried that? Or would it just turn into a messy hassle every time you reach for a nail?
I've wondered about the WD-40 thing myself, but honestly, wouldn't that just make your hands greasy every time you grab a nail? Seems like it could get annoying pretty fast. Airtight containers definitely seem to make a bigger difference than absorbers alone, at least from what I've seen. I had a similar issue with screws and bolts rusting in plastic bins—even with silica packs tossed in. Switched to those gasket-sealed ammo cans and haven't had much trouble since.
About galvanized nails being inconsistent...could it be related to how they're stored at the store or warehouse before you buy them? Maybe some batches sit around longer or get exposed to moisture during shipping. I've noticed hardware from certain stores tends to rust quicker than others, even when they're supposedly the same brand.
Anyway, sounds like you're on the right track with airtight storage. Might be worth experimenting with different suppliers too, just to see if there's a noticeable difference in quality. Rusty nails are definitely frustrating—hope you find something that works!
You know, airtight storage is great, but I've found that the issue with galvanized nails might not always be moisture-related. Sometimes the galvanizing itself seems spotty—maybe a quality control thing at the factory. I once bought two boxes of the same brand from the same store, stored them exactly the same way...one box stayed perfect, the other rusted within weeks. Makes me wonder if sourcing or manufacturing consistency plays a bigger role than we realize.
Yeah, I've noticed something similar. Last summer we had two batches of nails from the same supplier—one batch held up fine, the other started rusting almost immediately. Makes me think it's definitely a factory issue rather than storage or humidity alone...
"Makes me think it's definitely a factory issue rather than storage or humidity alone..."
Agreed—definitely sounds like inconsistent galvanizing or plating at the factory. Had a similar issue a few years back; nails from the same box varied wildly in corrosion resistance. Turns out, cheaper batches sometimes skip proper zinc coating thickness checks. Since then, I've stuck to hot-dipped galvanized nails for outdoor projects—pricier but worth it for peace of mind.
