Old guns and stopping surface rust?

kelly mt · March 2, 2012, 06:41 PM

I have a few very old guns and need to stop the surface rust from coming back regularly. I don't want to refinish them as they are antiques, and wiping with oil isn't a permanent cure. Any good ideas or products out there? Thanks PK.

emcon5 · March 2, 2012, 07:09 PM

Cosmoline?

I think this stuff is the modern equivalent:
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=2...duct/RUST-VETO

hooligan1 · March 2, 2012, 07:14 PM

Hell you don't need Cosmoline,,unless your storing them for an undetermined period of time...
G-96 spray oil, lube, cleaner, etc. works wonders on rust get a can and spray the effected area, and wipe off the excess!!

g.willikers · March 3, 2012, 11:46 AM

Everything that's normally useful will evaporate in time.
Regular attention is the only way to prevent rust.
At least as long as there is oxygen around.

Fleet · March 3, 2012, 05:58 PM

G. Willikers is right, there is no way to make it stop outside of regular maintenance

Dfariswheel · March 3, 2012, 07:55 PM

Where you store them also plays a major part.
Storing the guns in a closet or basement is a good source of rust.
Both are damp and will cause rusting.
Storing in a gun safe without a dehumidifier like a "Golden Rod" device will rust guns.
Storing in a fleece lined gun case is almost certain to cause rust.

There are several methods of limiting or stopping rust on firearms.

1. Apply a coat of a rust proofing lubricant.
CLP Breakfree is one of the very best. Just apply a thin coat and reapply whenever you handle the guns, or periodically. There's also a LP version that's supposed to be even better for storage.
As long as you maintain the thin coat of lube and store the guns in a cool dry place, the metal won't rust.

2. Do what museums do with antique arms and armor.... Apply a coat of wax.
Johnson's Paste wax or even better, Renaissance Hard Carnuba wax is used to prevent rust but not require constant attention.
Renaissance was developed by museums for this specific purpose. It's sold by Brownell's and other sources. A small jar goes a long way.

3. Store the guns wrapped in VCI Vapor paper and the special plastic bags.
The VCI paper gives off a vapor that drives out moisture and air and surrounds the metal with a vapor that totally prevents rust for at least 10 years.
You must use the special plastic storage bags, NOT ordinary plastic bags.
Ordinary plastic passes air and moisture and allows the vapor to escape.
Simply wipe the metal with a thin coat of CLP or LP to neutralize any fingerprints then wrap in several sheets of the VCI paper and seal tightly in the special plastic bags.
The gun will be rust free for at least a decade.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1...AP-trade-PAPER

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1...M-STORAGE-BAGS

oneoldsap · March 4, 2012, 09:27 AM

Paste wax is what you need . A couple of coats will seal the metal from oxygen , ergo no oxidation (rust) . That's how I protect my old guns anyways . Another plus is that you can handle them without leaving fingerprints on the steel . I use it on the wood too , Butchers brand is what I use , but any paste wax will do !

Don P · March 4, 2012, 03:17 PM

RIG grease will work. A light coat is all you need.

tobnpr · March 4, 2012, 07:25 PM

I don't know...but since storage is the operative word, I'd opt for a heavier grease.

I know I won't be able to find it, but I had read an article explaining that in long term storage, when the rifles are stood on end, the oil will tend to run off the surfaces (downwards, obviously) over time. Don't know if it's true, but if the weapon isn't being used I'd opt for some heavier, low maintenance stuff...

**JohnKSa** · March 5, 2012, 01:12 AM

It has been my experience that Beeman MP5 oil is really good at preventing corrosion.

http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CDYQ8wIwBA#

The description in the link is inaccurate in two respects, in my opinion. It is not a very good lubricant--it's very thin and dries fairly rapidly. I have also seen it get gummy if a lot of it is applied. But you don't need to put a lot on to get effective protection and it won't get gummy if you don't try to slather it on.

**4V50 Gary** · March 5, 2012, 01:18 AM

Clean the gun thoroughly and then if you're never going to shoot it again, use Renaissance Wax. It is PH neutral, developed by the British Museum and is used by museum curators worldwide to protect wood, metal and leather. You can pick it up from a Woodcraft Store.

publius · March 7, 2012, 06:05 PM

A light coat of blue Yamaha marine grease.

firewrench044 · March 8, 2012, 01:18 AM

I live on Florida's east caost, very humid and sometimes it even rains salt water
When I ask the guys at the museums about corrosion they inforned me that they used wax with carnuba on the firearms
So I am now using car wax with carnuba and it works great
I disassemble the gun as far as posible and wax all the parts, wipe off
just as you would a car, then lubrcate
This stopped the corrosion problem I was having
on my collection and carry guns
I have tried to attach 2 photos to show some of the collection that
is waxed
it has been 3 years sinse I have waxed most of them and there is no corrosion on any of them

Toolman · March 8, 2012, 08:26 PM

Rust is oxidation of the metal. Bluing, black oxides (salt), ect are controlled rusting of metal but the oxidation is 'arrested' or stopped' thru an oil process. You need to arrest the oxidation process using oil first. I use Breakfree CLP Collector for long term storage.

March 2, 2012, 06:41 PM	#1
kelly mt Junior Member Join Date: March 2, 2010 Posts: 12	Old guns and stopping surface rust? I have a few very old guns and need to stop the surface rust from coming back regularly. I don't want to refinish them as they are antiques, and wiping with oil isn't a permanent cure. Any good ideas or products out there? Thanks PK.

March 2, 2012, 07:14 PM	#3
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	Hell you don't need Cosmoline,,unless your storing them for an undetermined period of time... G-96 spray oil, lube, cleaner, etc. works wonders on rust get a can and spray the effected area, and wipe off the excess!! __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

March 3, 2012, 11:46 AM	#4
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Everything that's normally useful will evaporate in time. Regular attention is the only way to prevent rust. At least as long as there is oxygen around. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

March 4, 2012, 09:27 AM	#7
oneoldsap Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2009 Location: I live in the foot of the Green Mountains of Vermont Posts: 1,602	Wax Them Paste wax is what you need . A couple of coats will seal the metal from oxygen , ergo no oxidation (rust) . That's how I protect my old guns anyways . Another plus is that you can handle them without leaving fingerprints on the steel . I use it on the wood too , Butchers brand is what I use , but any paste wax will do !

March 4, 2012, 03:17 PM	#8
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	RIG grease will work. A light coat is all you need. __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

March 2, 2012, 07:09 PM	#2
emcon5 Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 1999 Location: High Desert NV Posts: 2,850	Cosmoline? I think this stuff is the modern equivalent: http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=2...duct/RUST-VETO

March 3, 2012, 05:58 PM	#5
Fleet Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2011 Posts: 108	G. Willikers is right, there is no way to make it stop outside of regular maintenance

March 3, 2012, 07:55 PM	#6
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	Where you store them also plays a major part. Storing the guns in a closet or basement is a good source of rust. Both are damp and will cause rusting. Storing in a gun safe without a dehumidifier like a "Golden Rod" device will rust guns. Storing in a fleece lined gun case is almost certain to cause rust. There are several methods of limiting or stopping rust on firearms. 1. Apply a coat of a rust proofing lubricant. CLP Breakfree is one of the very best. Just apply a thin coat and reapply whenever you handle the guns, or periodically. There's also a LP version that's supposed to be even better for storage. As long as you maintain the thin coat of lube and store the guns in a cool dry place, the metal won't rust. 2. Do what museums do with antique arms and armor.... Apply a coat of wax. Johnson's Paste wax or even better, Renaissance Hard Carnuba wax is used to prevent rust but not require constant attention. Renaissance was developed by museums for this specific purpose. It's sold by Brownell's and other sources. A small jar goes a long way. 3. Store the guns wrapped in VCI Vapor paper and the special plastic bags. The VCI paper gives off a vapor that drives out moisture and air and surrounds the metal with a vapor that totally prevents rust for at least 10 years. You must use the special plastic storage bags, NOT ordinary plastic bags. Ordinary plastic passes air and moisture and allows the vapor to escape. Simply wipe the metal with a thin coat of CLP or LP to neutralize any fingerprints then wrap in several sheets of the VCI paper and seal tightly in the special plastic bags. The gun will be rust free for at least a decade. http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1...AP-trade-PAPER http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1...M-STORAGE-BAGS

March 4, 2012, 07:25 PM	#9
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	I don't know...but since storage is the operative word, I'd opt for a heavier grease. I know I won't be able to find it, but I had read an article explaining that in long term storage, when the rifles are stood on end, the oil will tend to run off the surfaces (downwards, obviously) over time. Don't know if it's true, but if the weapon isn't being used I'd opt for some heavier, low maintenance stuff...

March 5, 2012, 01:12 AM	#10
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,967	It has been my experience that Beeman MP5 oil is really good at preventing corrosion. http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CDYQ8wIwBA# The description in the link is inaccurate in two respects, in my opinion. It is not a very good lubricant--it's very thin and dries fairly rapidly. I have also seen it get gummy if a lot of it is applied. But you don't need to put a lot on to get effective protection and it won't get gummy if you don't try to slather it on. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

March 5, 2012, 01:18 AM	#11
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,829	Clean the gun thoroughly and then if you're never going to shoot it again, use Renaissance Wax. It is PH neutral, developed by the British Museum and is used by museum curators worldwide to protect wood, metal and leather. You can pick it up from a Woodcraft Store. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

March 7, 2012, 06:05 PM	#12
publius Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Mississippi/Texas Posts: 2,505	A light coat of blue Yamaha marine grease. __________________ "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress, but I repeat myself." Mark Twain

March 8, 2012, 08:26 PM	#14
Toolman Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 514	Rust is oxidation of the metal. Bluing, black oxides (salt), ect are controlled rusting of metal but the oxidation is 'arrested' or stopped' thru an oil process. You need to arrest the oxidation process using oil first. I use Breakfree CLP Collector for long term storage. __________________ Crime Control. NOT Gun Control.

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