[Right Wing Assault]

A bought an extra Craftsman socket set on sale a couple years ago. The chrome had a sort of brown tinge. They rusted on the outside the first time they got wet! Not the type of light rust you just rub off. This was permanent. I've got sets from 30 years ago that are still nice bright chrome and some of them have gotten wet and never rusted.

[wally_bert]

My 80’s era Craftsman sockets, wrenches, and other tools have held up just fine.

[vette6387]

That’s what happens when you don’t put an undercoat of copper on steel before the chrome. chrome plating is porous.