Kinda curious if anyone’s tried those big desiccant packs from shipping crates—do they actually work, or just look cool?
Those crate desiccants are basically the industrial version of the little silica packets you find in new shoes. I’ve tossed a couple in my tool chest and, honestly, they do pull some moisture, but they’re not magic—if your basement’s already muggy, they’ll tap out pretty quick. For serious damp, a small dehumidifier works way better (and you don’t have to keep swapping packs). As for PTFE on rubber, I’ve had it make some grips weirdly tacky too. Seems like it’s hit or miss depending on the rubber blend.
I hear you on the desiccant packs—they’re handy in a pinch, but yeah, they’re no match for a real dehumidifier if you’re dealing with basement-level humidity. I actually tried using a couple in my old tackle box after a soggy camping trip. They helped keep rust off the lures for a bit, but I still had to air things out every now and then. If you’re just looking to keep things dry-ish in a small space, they’re worth a shot. For bigger jobs, I’d save the effort and plug something in.
And you nailed it about PTFE on rubber—sometimes it just makes grips feel off. I’ve had bike handles go from grippy to weirdly sticky after trying to “protect” them. Guess it’s one of those things you gotta test on a small spot first.
Desiccant packs are decent for glove boxes or tool kits, but I’ve never had much luck with them in anything bigger. Tried tossing a handful in my garden shed one winter—didn’t make a dent once the rainy season hit. Ended up getting a small plug-in dehumidifier and that actually kept my gear from getting musty. As for PTFE, I get the appeal, but I’ve had it mess with the feel of rubber boots before. Sometimes old-school talc or just a wipe-down works better, honestly.
I’ve actually had decent results with desiccant packs in larger spaces, but only when I sealed things up pretty tight—if there’s any airflow, they’re basically useless. The plug-in dehumidifier is definitely more reliable for a shed, though. On the PTFE front, I hear you about the weird feel on rubber. I’ve found silicone spray works better for me—less residue, and it doesn’t seem to mess with the grip or texture as much. Talc’s fine, but I always worry about it gumming up over time if there’s any moisture left.
I’m with you on the silicone spray—PTFE always left my gloves feeling off, almost sticky? I’ve also had talc clump up in humid corners of my garage. Plug-in dehumidifiers are a game changer, though... I finally stopped finding rusty tools every spring.