What do you think of using expansion foam to en-tomb items for long term storage?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What do you think of using expansion foam to en-tomb items for long term storage?

Posted: 10/8/2004 3:48:42 PM EDT

If you wanted to store a gun or ammo for a long time, what would you say to sealing it in a
vacuum sealer bag, putting it in a box, then entombing the whole thing by filling the box it sits in with expansion foam?

Yes, it's not quick access, but it would be more reliable than just vacuum sealing, and if left in
an unheated vacation cabin, I'd feel alot more confident the elements would not get to it.

Any negatives you can think of other than quick access?

Posted: 10/8/2004 4:05:11 PM EDT

[#1]

Moisture.

Any humidity present in the back during sealing would probably just condense. Add some silica gel and you're probably okay.

Good idea on the foam, though. You oughta post a link to this over on the Survival Forum. Those guys know caching.

Posted: 10/8/2004 4:15:08 PM EDT

[#2]

Check that the foam will not attack the plastic that you have wrapped the item in, Saran wrap will not work.

Posted: 10/8/2004 4:33:18 PM EDT

[#3]

don't bother. It doesn't work.

Posted: 10/8/2004 4:35:51 PM EDT

[#4]

Make a PVC tube with an air valve on it. Use vacuum pump to draw out the air. Pump in Argon, it's an inert gas and inhibits rust.

Posted: 10/8/2004 4:42:53 PM EDT

[#5]

I'd go with 50cal's idea. Use threaded ends for a quick access and make double sure the valve has no leaks

Posted: 10/8/2004 5:40:44 PM EDT

[#6]

Bad idea - it absorbs water like crazy and its glass transition temperature is not much above room temp - it will crumble to dust. Even if little water is available by sealing, you can't keep it from falling apart.

Posted: 10/8/2004 5:54:33 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
Bad idea - it absorbs water like crazy and its glass transition temperature is not much above room temp - it will crumble to dust. Even if little water is available by sealing, you can't keep it from falling apart.

Posted: 10/8/2004 6:00:56 PM EDT

[#8]

Good info for ALL!

Posted: 10/8/2004 6:07:46 PM EDT

[#9]

Dry ice.

Never bury your stuff on your own property on in a place that's going to see development.

Put a couple of (new

) pampers inteh bottom of the tube. Put the rifle, magazines, and ammo in and then put a bit of dry ice. If you tie them together it's easier to fish them out from the buried tube. Keep the tube up right while the dry ice melts - you'll see the cold line come up the side of the tube displacing the air and moisture. Seal the top and don't skimp on the glue.

Bury the tube on end with the top below the freeze line and the 100 year flood line. Carefully memorize the location and replace the top soil and flora back to where it belongs. Repeat for your other weapons.

Posted: 10/8/2004 6:17:34 PM EDT

[#10]

Brilliant Idea, Jethro! GO FOR IT!

Posted: 10/9/2004 5:42:51 AM EDT

[#11]

Wrap the item in vapor-phase corrosion inhibitor paper, and/or put VpCI chips into the bag before sealing.

Posted: 10/9/2004 5:59:16 AM EDT

[#12]

Carefully memorize the location

You can also use a GPS for plot, but I would still memorize location in case your GPS receiver cannot be used for whatever reason in SHTF times.

Posted: 10/9/2004 8:58:16 AM EDT

[#13]

The Army used to store starters and alternators this way. You cut the box open on a cut line marked on the box. Inside packed in foam and wrapped in a barrier bag was the spare part.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What do you think of using expansion foam to en-tomb items for long term storage?

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