The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - How long does it take for rust to develop?

mete · November 16, 2012, 10:08 PM

I worked in a bearing factory and had as a desk paper weight a complex shaped helicopter bearing race. It was blued like a gun and dipped in a preservative oil..
One mornig I came in and saw a perfect set of finger prints in rust !! I asked those who had been in my office the day before and found the culprite !!

He admitted he had a problem with that [in a bearing factory ! ] They make special soaps and lotions for people like that .
Oxidation can take place in a fraction of a second .That can be easliy demonstrated in a laboratory.
The bearing example is fairly rare but oils in you fingers can contain a number of chemicals including salt , that can cause rust.I even came across a federal inspection specification that stated "this operation will not be done by women " This because at certain times of the month a woman's chemistry can change greatly !!
It's always a good practice to wipe down a gun after use with oil.
I use a rag with RIG grease.

November 16, 2012, 10:08 PM	#3
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	I worked in a bearing factory and had as a desk paper weight a complex shaped helicopter bearing race. It was blued like a gun and dipped in a preservative oil.. One mornig I came in and saw a perfect set of finger prints in rust !! I asked those who had been in my office the day before and found the culprite !! He admitted he had a problem with that [in a bearing factory ! ] They make special soaps and lotions for people like that . Oxidation can take place in a fraction of a second .That can be easliy demonstrated in a laboratory. The bearing example is fairly rare but oils in you fingers can contain a number of chemicals including salt , that can cause rust.I even came across a federal inspection specification that stated "this operation will not be done by women " This because at certain times of the month a woman's chemistry can change greatly !! It's always a good practice to wipe down a gun after use with oil. I use a rag with RIG grease. Last edited by mete; November 17, 2012 at 06:13 AM.