Learned this the hard way last summer when I grabbed a box of nails I'd left in the garage over winter. Thought they'd be fine since they looked okay at first glance, but halfway through the fence build, realized half of them had rust spots hidden under the top layer. Had to redo a good chunk of work... lesson definitely learned about proper storage and checking nails carefully before starting.
Been there myself—rusty nails can really sneak up on you.
"halfway through the fence build, realized half of them had rust spots hidden under the top layer."
Yeah, surface rust can be deceptive. Learned early on in roofing that even slight corrosion weakens the nail significantly, especially if moisture's involved down the line. Now I always double-check older stock, or just grab a fresh box if there's any doubt. Good thing is, after a setback like this, you're unlikely to make the same mistake again... silver linings, right?
Good thing is, after a setback like this, you're unlikely to make the same mistake again... silver linings, right?
Man, rusty nails are sneaky little devils...been there too many times myself. Learned the hard way that if you're stuck with nails that have minor rust spots, soaking them overnight in vinegar can help strip off surface corrosion. Just rinse 'em well and dry thoroughly afterward. But honestly, if corrosion's deeper than surface-level, best to toss 'em—you don't wanna redo the fence again next summer, right?
"But honestly, if corrosion's deeper than surface-level, best to toss 'em—you don't wanna redo the fence again next summer, right?"
Yeah, vinegar works wonders for minor rust, but honestly... nails are cheap enough that it's usually not worth the hassle. Learned that lesson myself after trying to salvage some old hardware for my shed roof—ended up redoing half the job a year later. Better off spending a few extra bucks now and saving yourself the headache down the road.
Yeah, vinegar's handy for quick fixes, but if you're seeing rust that's more than just surface-deep, you're probably better off replacing them. Ever try pulling out a rusty nail that's snapped halfway through the wood? Not fun... trust me, been there.
