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Posted: 12/30/2012 7:20:26 PM EDT
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I see a lot about how to get this stuff off of firearms but nothing about how to best apply it to one. Anyone have any experience with this stuff? Two questions
1. Should you just take the gun apart and coat everything with cosmoline? Even inside the barrel and gas tube? 2. Will cosmoline harm plastic or aluminum like on a ar? 3. What does our military use on firearms for long term storage? |
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Typically, Cosmoline was warmed in a pan of warm water until it gets softer, then it's applied with brushes, working it in all accessible areas. Use a bore rod and a small patch to apply it into the bore and chamber.
Cosmoline shouldn't harm firearms grade plastics and aluminum. Cosmoline works better then most greases since it's not a lubricant like standard greases, although greases will work. Today a far better, less messy, and much easier method of preventing rust is to use what the military and industry use for preventing rust of metal: Vapor paper and special "hard" plastic storage bags. Some bags come with the vapor as part of the bag, but these cost more then the separate paper and bags. The paper is VCI paper, which gives of fumes that drive out moisture and air, and surround the metal with a vapor that totally prevents rust for at least 10 years. The special plastic bags are made of a special plastic that won't pass moisture or allow the vapor to escape. DO NOT use standard plastic bags, they will pass moisture and the vapor. To store a gun, clean the bore and metal as usual after firing, then just wipe the metal with something like CLP Breakfree to neutralize fingerprints. Wrap the gun in several sheets of the VCI paper, then seal it in one of the special plastic bags. The gun is protected for a minimum of 10 years, and best of all, you can simply open the bag, wipe out the bore and shoot it without having to spend hours trying to get the sticky Cosmoline mess off. This is why the military and industry use the vapor barrier system. You don't need to spend hours packing the gun in Cosmoline and making sure you have it in every small area, and there's no need to spend many more hours trying to clean it off with possibly dangerous solvents so you can use it. The Gun Wrap VCI paper says not to use with aluminum, but I think that means UNCOATED aluminum, not the anodized aluminum used on guns. If in doubt, call Brownell's Tech Staff and ask them about it. http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/shop-accessories-supplies/gun-storage-materials/gun-wrap-paper/gunwrap-paper-prod1197.aspx http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/shop-accessories-supplies/gun-storage-materials/gun-storage-bags/triple-tough-premium-storage-bags-prod1154.aspx Bags with VCI already in them, but more expensive: http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/shop-accessories-supplies/gun-storage-materials/gun-storage-bags/vacuum-seal-storage-bags-prod42749.aspx |
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Quoted:
Typically, Cosmoline was warmed in a pan of warm water until it gets softer, then it's applied with brushes, working it in all accessible areas. Use a bore rod and a small patch to apply it into the bore and chamber. Cosmoline shouldn't harm firearms grade plastics and aluminum. Cosmoline works better then most greases since it's not a lubricant like standard greases, although greases will work. Today a far better, less messy, and much easier method of preventing rust is to use what the military and industry use for preventing rust of metal: Vapor paper and special "hard" plastic storage bags. Some bags come with the vapor as part of the bag, but these cost more then the separate paper and bags. The paper is VCI paper, which gives of fumes that drive out moisture and air, and surround the metal with a vapor that totally prevents rust for at least 10 years. The special plastic bags are made of a special plastic that won't pass moisture or allow the vapor to escape. DO NOT use standard plastic bags, they will pass moisture and the vapor. To store a gun, clean the bore and metal as usual after firing, then just wipe the metal with something like CLP Breakfree to neutralize fingerprints. Wrap the gun in several sheets of the VCI paper, then seal it in one of the special plastic bags. The gun is protected for a minimum of 10 years, and best of all, you can simply open the bag, wipe out the bore and shoot it without having to spend hours trying to get the sticky Cosmoline mess off. This is why the military and industry use the vapor barrier system. You don't need to spend hours packing the gun in Cosmoline and making sure you have it in every small area, and there's no need to spend many more hours trying to clean it off with possibly dangerous solvents so you can use it. The Gun Wrap VCI paper says not to use with aluminum, but I think that means UNCOATED aluminum, not the anodized aluminum used on guns. If in doubt, call Brownell's Tech Staff and ask them about it. http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/shop-accessories-supplies/gun-storage-materials/gun-wrap-paper/gunwrap-paper-prod1197.aspx http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/shop-accessories-supplies/gun-storage-materials/gun-storage-bags/triple-tough-premium-storage-bags-prod1154.aspx Bags with VCI already in them, but more expensive: http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/shop-accessories-supplies/gun-storage-materials/gun-storage-bags/vacuum-seal-storage-bags-prod42749.aspx Thank you very much. I'll call them and see if this what I need. |
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Quoted:
Bags with VCI already in them, but more expensive: http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/shop-accessories-supplies/gun-storage-materials/gun-storage-bags/vacuum-seal-storage-bags-prod42749.aspx I've had a Ruger 10/22 in one of those bags for over 3 years. I took it out about six months ago to check on it. Not a spec of rust or corrosion. I applied Boeshield T-9 to the rifle first, then stuck it in that bag. |
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the reason you don't hear much about cosmo anymore is because there are products on the market that work lets say as well or just about as well, without the collossol pain in teh ass associated with the stuff. Its really meant imo for government use when treating items by the 10s of thousands, because its damn effective, easy to apply and lasts forever... he end user is someone elses problem The product you want was around for a long time by birchwood casey and then discountinued for a few years only to be brought back by brownells. im holding a bottle of it in front of me right now, its called RIG. Its works great and is easier to deal with down the road. in regards to what dferris was saying about vci that's the 2nd line of defense that will guarantee you decades of storage corrosion free. Reading from the package NOTICE cannot guarantee rust and corrosion protection for any specific length of time when using either the methods outlined in this Instruction Sheet or any others and assumes no responsibility for damage which may occur to wood, metal or plastic finishes when Gun Wrap Paper is used. CAUTIONS (1) Gun Wrap Paper will not damage blued finishes or bare steel. (2) Copper, bronze and brass with less than 20% zinc content will not be protected or harmed by either contact with Gun Wrap Paper or exposure to its vapors. (3) Polished, unanodized aluminum and polished silver surfaces can develop minute surface corrosion from direct contact with Gun Wrap Paper or its vapor. (4) Nickel and Nickel Plated steel, zinc brass (with more than 20% zinc content), cadmium and cadmium plated steel may develop corrosion or surface discoloration when in direct contact with Gun Wrap Paper but will be protected and unharmed by Gun Wrap vapors as long as direct contact between the metal and Gun Wrap is avoided. (5) Older nitro-cellulose lacquer and some varnish finishes on wood may be damaged by direct contact with Gun Wrap Paper. These finishes may also react with a plastic bag. Please test carefully and if there is any doubt, avoid use. (6) Wash hands after handling Gun Wrap and do not allow direct or vapor contact with any foodstuff. A coating of RIG, a sheep of gun wrap appropriate to the surface area in question, some desiccant packs (you can easily make your own for pennies) vacuum sealed in a long term storage bag made of heavy mil plastic (although I use cheap ziploc suction bags generally) will survive armageddon <object width="0" height="0" id="plugin0" type="application/x-dgnria" style="z-index:1000"> [div] [div]</object> |
| Unless you're planning to store the gun for several decades in completely unpredictable conditions, or you really, really like working very, very hard to clean preservative off/out of every tiniest nook and cranny, there is no reason to even think of using anything like cosmoline. VPI packaging, a good coat of your normal lubes, (both is OK), and storage in predictable, controlled conditions will protect the weapon for many, many years. |
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A 53gallon drum is available!...one could just submerge the gun...... |
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