How to remove rust protection

[woodfast]

I just got some taps which are covered in a brown wax to protect from rusting what is the best way to remove this coating from taps and dies
any suggestions

[pipeclay]

If its peelable run a sharp knife down it.

If its a wax see how much heat is needed to melt it then either place them in a bare pot/container over heat and let it melt off,you could try using hot water or oil in the pot.

Try soaking in some thinners or acetone.

[BaronJ]

Hi Woodfast,
If its that plastic dip stuff, as Pipeclay says, run a knife down one of the flutes and peel it off. If its wax then I don't bother and just use as is. I've been known to dip reamers and the like into a tin of molten candle wax if I know that I'm not going to use it again for a long while. Just a quick note on this, I've done this on some new circular saw slitting blades that I've had for years. When I came to want to use one they had all bonded together. I ended up using the hot air gun to free them.