Clippers are one of the most important tools to keep your beard in good shape. Much like any other tool your clippers need proper care to remain in excellent condition and prevent rusting. Most clipper problems arise because barbers and stylists don’t have enough knowledge about how to keep the clipper blades from rusting.
Poor care, hair build-up, and insufficient oiling are the biggest factors that trigger rusting and risk the long-term health of the clippers. Thus, it is really important to know how to clean and maintain the hair clippers properly to keep them sharper for a long time.
Basic clipper care involves cleaning your blades, cooling, oiling, and storing them properly. However, there are many other tiny things you can do to avoid corrosion and keep your most important grooming tool at its peak.
In this guide, we’ll share some important tips about how to keep your clipper blades from rusting and get the best out of them.
Why are my clipper blades rusting?
Well, there can be many reasons behind blade rusting. Rusting is caused by the plating loss, a surface covering in which a metal is deposited on a conductive surface. It happens when iron reacts with oxygen in the presence of water, saltwater, acids, or other harsh chemicals.
Leaving your blades wet, overheating, insufficient lubrication, and pet dander buildup mostly contribute to the plating loss. Not merely this, humidity and cold wet environment also favors the formation of rust.
How to keep clipper blades from rusting?
Here are some useful tips to maintain our clipper blades free of rust and in perfect working condition for a long time:
- Clean the blades regularly
The overall performance of your hair clipper is determined by the efficiency of the blades. Germs and bacteria build quickly inside the blades and can cause all sorts infections. Regular cleaning will not only prevent a germ build up but also keep the blades sharp and free of rust. Use a gentle cleaning solution to remove any germs and bacteria especially if the clipper is used by multiple people.
- Remove any Access Moisture
Water is often the main culprit behind rust. When you let the water remained on the blades, they get more vulnerable to developing rust soon. After washing the blades, dry them quickly and wipe off any excess moisture from the surface of the blades after every use. This simple practice is imperative in how to keep clipper blades from rusting and in excellent condition.
- Lubricate the Blades
Friction is another main cause behind the rust on hair clippers. Battery-powered hair clippers produce excess heat which means more friction. Lubricating the clipper blades before and after use is the best way to reduce friction and keep the blades protected from rust in the long run. Place 1-2 drops of clipper oil where the blades meet and turn the clipper on so the oil distribute and properly coat the entire blade. After 10 min, turn it off and dab any excess oil.
- Keep the Styptic powder Far Away
The styptic powder works remarkably well to stop bleeding from cuts caused by clipper blades; however, it has corrosive properties which can cause rust on hair clippers. Make sure to keep the styptic powder as far as possible from the clipper blades to prevent rusting and prolong the blade life.
- Use Spray Coolants
Spray coolants are the vital part of your blade care and ensuring their longevity. As the name implies, spray coolants they cool the blades between uses, keep them clean, and prevent rusting as well. They contain Trichloroethane, CO2, glycol, water and a bit of lubricant.
To get the best results, turn your clipper off and spray one short burst of the coolant at the back of the blade. Don’t spray the front of the blade as it can get inside the clipper where it will melt the carbon brushes and weaken the plastic of the blade drives.
- Use the Blade Guard
Most people think that a blade guard is only meant to keep your fingers away from the blades. However, it also prevents the blades from corrosion and rust. Secure the clipper with a blade guard when it’s not being used to reduce the chances of blades developing rust. This simple practice could play a vital role in ensuring the durability of your hair clippers and trimmers.
- Store them Properly
Even if you use your clippers occasionally, it’s really important that they are clean, and serviceable when you store them. Just like any other electric tool, it’s best to keep your clippers indoors away from the cold humid environment. Don’t ever pack them in plastic wrapping as it will cause the moisture trapped inside and will increase the likelihood of rusting. Store them in an open space or a breathable material with a moisture-wicking property such as cotton, silk, or leather.
- Keep an Eye on the Rust
Keeping an eye on the signs of rusting is how you can keep the clippers blades from rusting or stop it in the early stages. Hair clippers live in the environment where there are always going to be at risk of building rust. If your clipper blades have not been maintained well, they will start to shows signs of wear and tear particularly rusting.
How to clean clipper blades?
Clipper blades needs to be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis to maintain the sharpness and keeping your skin healthy. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean your clipper blades and keep them from rusting.
Unplug the Clipper
If your hair clipper has a cord, make sure to unplug it from the power outlet to reduce the risk of electric shock, fire, or burns. If clipper is wireless, remove the battery before starting cleaning.
Open the Clipper Apart
If possible, disassemble the clipper to remove any buildup from the cutting surface of the blades. Open all the screws on the head plate and detach the head from the blades and rest of the clippers. If you have any doubt that you won’t remember the order in which parts are arranged, you can skip this step.
Remove the hair and debris
Sweep over the blades and head plate with a thick brush and thoroughly remove any visible hair and grit around the blades. Hair, grit, or debris trapped between the blades and act like gravel and dull the blades quickly. Brushing the clipper blades will make the further cleaning easier and faster. Sometime small hair gets stuck inside the clipper blades and it gets difficult to remove the. Dip the blades in a warm water for few minutes will loosen them and they will be easily removed.
Wash the blades
There are two methods to wash the clipper blades. You can either use a DIY cleaning solution made with warm water and vinegar or a blade wash. Homemade cleaning solutions are cheap and will kill germs and bacteria, and eliminate the unpleasant odors, however, blade washes give more long-lasting effects and provide more protection against rusting and mold. Soak the blades in the cleaning solution for few minutes and brush gently to remove any remaining hair in blades or rust on the blades.
Dry the Blades
If you’re using homemade cleaning solution, make sure to dry your clipper blades completely after washing. Use a dry towel and wipe off any moisture on the surface of the blade or other parts of the clipper. We’ll suggest leaving your clipper blades on a towel for 30 minutes to let them dry properly.
Oil the Blades
After your clipper blades are completely dry, reassemble the clipper carefully and turn it on. Put few drops of clipper oil across the length of the blades and let is disperse properly so every inch of your blades is covered. Wipe off the excess oil so doesn’t get inside of the clipper. Oiling clipper blades frequently not only helps to prevent the blades from rusting but will greatly prolong the lifespan of your clipper.
How to Clean Rust Off the blade?
Despite doing your best, there’s always a possibility that your clipper blades are going to develop rust. But don’t worry, you can still rectify the problem. Use a brass brush or sanding sponge to carefully scrub the rust off the blade without further damaging the blades.
If you’re lucky enough, you might be able to get rid of rust on hair clippers. But if the rust has been spread to the cutting surface of the blades or teeth, the blade is not usable anymore and you’ll have to replace it forever.
Conclusion
It is not a rocket science how to keep clipper blades from rusting and in working order if you take good care of them. The key to prevent rusting is to minimize the clipper blades’ exposure to moisture. A good quality hair clipper can easily last up to 10 years with proper handling and maintenance.
We hope this guide has helped you learn how to prevent clipper blades from rusting and keep them super sharp and ready for use. All the tips mentioned in our guide only work if you do them consistently and only few weeks of negligence can lead to rusting on your clipper blades.