rusty wire from humidity

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I do not use my welder at home all the time and after it sits for a while the wire tends to rust and then it welds and feeds like crap. Is there anything you can spray on it to keep it from rusting or am I stuck taking it out and placing in a zip lock when not in useMiller 180,Esab 300I TIG Lincoln Stick [1950's} Victor Torches, Dewalt chop saw, Enco 9x48 Mill,  48x60 home shop with Gantry crane and Pit.
Reply:i sure hope somebody answers your question because I have the same problem !!!
Reply:There is a lubricant made for this. I have a bottle of Radnor brand, from Airgas. There are also various pads that clip on the wire. I use the round ones, red to scrub and brown to put the lubricant on. It helps feeding a lot, but also probably clogs up your liner. I made the mistake of buying, on sale, 45lb rolls of .035" and .045". Same thing, got a little rust. But instead of tossing the wire, I figured I would just replace the liner for $8.00, after I finish the wire. From now on I will just buy 10-12 lb. rolls. If you feel like it, I think it might help a little putting it in a bag. Just DO NOT bring it in a warm house after being in the cold………ask me how I know this! If the wire is really rusty, toss it."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Just pull the roll off and put it in a zip lock bag with some dessicant if it's going to sit a while.I wouldn't spray anything on the spool itself for fear of contamination.
Reply:Yep, once MIG wire gets rusty there's no cost-effective way that I've found of making it usable again.  The little felt thingies that Sticky is talking about are good for getting dust off the wire, but they won't help with rust.  You've got to get that wire somewhere with relatively low humidity for it to last.  On a side note, wire lasts a lot longer inside of a suitcase feeder than out in the open.  I've never had a problem with rusty wire when the spool has been inside my Suitcase 12RC.
Reply:Seal up the spool compartment of the welder really well and put some desiccant in a jar in the cabinet?
Reply:I keep a descendant bag inside my welder.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:We have our fair share of rust issues here on the Jersey shore but I've found Moth Balls work really well to prevent rust out in the shed. Just put some in a container under a tarp or rag and that should do it. I don't know why it works but it does. BTW it seems to keep the  wasps out also.GizzmoSyncrowave 250 CK aircooled tig
Reply:Tbone summed it up. The felt pads & lube are useless once it gets rusty. I don't use them even when the wires clean though. Curious what size spool you are using? A 10# spool might serve you better and a large bag of dessicant may help. Avoid spraying anything on the wire.
Reply:Hi, for what it's worth, I wrap anything that is steel or iron with a plastic bag, and that keeps the moisture of by creating a mini atmosphere.So far it has worked very well and all my equipment in the garage is at either 0 deg C in Winter or in the high 30's C in Summer.By comparison, any steel off cuts and general bits of metal left in the open always get a coating of rust.My mill, lathe, welder, surface grinder, press and any other pieces of large machinery are ALWAYS kept covered in a plastic sheet when not being used.....this ensures the dust and moisture are kept out......been like that for 30+ years.Ian.
Reply:Usually buy the 25lb spools as when I do weld I tend to larger projects. Guess I better start storing in plastic bags at least in the summer. Just bought a spool of .030 switching from .035 as my welder likes the smaller wire and found a plastic bag and twisty that fits.  Right now it is 10 outside and do not think humidity is a problem Thats -12cMiller 180,Esab 300I TIG Lincoln Stick [1950's} Victor Torches, Dewalt chop saw, Enco 9x48 Mill,  48x60 home shop with Gantry crane and Pit.