put some oil on it so that the rust will be cleaned and the pliers can be used properly.
you need to polish the tip of the worn-out bits little by little to make sure it is even.
Adjust the temperature of the soldering iron to a typical work range (about 300°C). Apply flux-cored solder to the oxidized tip. The heat will activate the flux and start the chemical reaction that will remove the oxidation. Use brass wool or specially designed cleaners on the tip.
There are also tools that are used just for cutting wires (as opposed to wire ... tool from side to side or bend wire back and forth against the cutting edges.
To finish cleaning the brush, pump some liquid soap into the palm of one hand and hold the paintbrush with your other. Scrub the brush back and forth across your palm, letting the soap penetrate the bristles to pull out more oil pigment.
