Ignoramus21381 wrote:

I have 625 tools of a certain kind. If I sell one per week, that means
that I will be selling them for the next 12 years. (scary thought)

They are made of steel and have dark finish (phosphate), but are not painted.

I am going to store them outdoors, in three rectangular plastic bins
with covers that snap over them, so that rain water does not
penetrate.

In addition, I placed desiccant bags in those bins.

Would you say that it is sufficient to prevent them from rusting for
12 years.

Thanks

i

Not a hope.

Cosmoline, LPS-3, or some other long term preservative, or store them
in airtight (thus immune to condensation issues) containers with dessicant.
A lid that snaps on will breathe. Bad.

Cheers
Trevor Jones