I can’t speak on a molecular level . . . but I’ll be interested in the answer.

Haven’t changed much at all in my shop in the last 3 years. Never had a rust
problem. This year, not much more humid than any other NC summer, it seems
things rust as I look at them . . . . and not just 100 year old steel either.

My wife bought me a band saw for father’s day. (Yes it uses the newfangled
electrical fluid, but it’s 20 years old.) I polished deck to an absolute shine
Sunday afternoon, rubbed it down with carnauba wax, and Monday it had surface
rust on it.

I’m so desperate I’ve resorted to a non silicone synthetic in a spray can
instead of sheep tallow . . .

MPf.