comma
Member
Just curious where the best place is to get the storage paper that S&W uses? Do they sell it themselves? Haven't been able to contact them so figured I would ask here.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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Where to get the S&W VCI/wax paper?
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Targets Guy
US Veteran
Check the classifieds here. A member sells them periodically. I'm about half way through the stash I bought from him. Good stuff.
skeezix
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
eBay has some. A little over $1 a sheet.
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
The VCI paper does have a shelf life. Unless you must have the little S&W thingys on it, you would be better served by just buying it on line from any of several supply houses. No telling how old that stuff on ebay is-could be totally worthless
OP
comma
Member
What's the shelf life? I was under the impression this was used for long term storage of firearms (decades). I had never heard of it having a shelf life
I've bought twice from pharman and would buy more again.
Targets Guy
US Veteran
Prior to buying the S&W paper here on the forum I purchased mine from Brownells. Their paper is good for a minimum of two years (but they go on to say it last from 10-15 years).
Look here.
Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI) FAQs | Armor VCI
Armor Protective Packaging® corrosion management products provide approximately three years of protection for metal parts and surfaces when used properly in normal warehouse conditions. To ensure successful results, parts must be completely wrapped or enclosed – airtight packaging is the most effective for best results and longest protection time. Variable conditions such as temperature and humidity extremes, airflow, production and process methods, surface conditions of metal to be protected, customer employee training and other factors are impossible for ARMOR to control so it is impossible to guarantee a specific length of protection. Contact your ARMOR representative for details related to your specific application.
How Long Does VCI Paper Last?
When using Zerust® VCI Paper products, your clean metals will be protected for years when used correctly and utilized within one year from date of shipment. Most other Zerust®/Excor® VCI products have a shelf life of up to three years when the product is stored in original airtight packaging, out of direct sunlight and under shelter. Please refer to each product technical datasheet for the correct shelf life.
OP
comma
Member
Hmm. Guess I'll look into something else for long term storage. Not sure how the chemicals would go "bad" in just three years, but there must be a better product out there.
I've been told buy quite a few people that they store guns wrapped in this for decades. Guess they didn't know about the shelf life.
Thanks for the info
I have a roll of the stuff. It was a 1 ft cut off of the large 12 foot roil. I have several blued guns wrapped in them locked in the safe. With a lot of it sealed in a safe you can definitely smell it! It doesn't hurt plus helps guard against scratches.
They used to sell tool boxes with a "chunk of the chemicals attached to the inside, If it is sealed up it will last a long time, I don't know about "decade's.
Main things is put a good coat of oil/wax . or whatever super gun product you use and keep the humidity down
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
See post #12 . I was doing some research a while back and came across that information. Came as a surprise to me but it makes sense. I've got some old S&W paper that has no smell and is kinda "crisp". I would suspect that it is no mo any good in that the rust preventatives have evaporated off. All I know is that after reading this, if I were buying VCI/wax paper for rust free storage,I would but it from a supply house to ensure it was fresh. If your S&W paper is recent (within the year) manufacture, I would suspect it would work well, but if you've had it for 5-10 years it may very well have lost a bit of potency . No disrespect whatsoever intended but just as I was surprised that there was a finite shelf life on this stuff-so may you. That's all.
Gary
Perhaps because you sell it? I think I will get a rubber ink stamp and sell mine on the black market.
That is not as bona fide, statistically valid, chemically reliable test
DWalt
Member
VPI (VCI) paper (and other impregnated materials) does have a shelf life. It is impregnated with any of several chemical materials (usually amine salts such as cyclohexylamine carbonate) which slowly vaporize, releasing a vapor which coats and seals metal surfaces, or alters the pH to prevent corrosion. Sooner or later (depending on conditions of use) the corrosion inhibiting chemicals will vaporize completely and the effectiveness will cease. A long story I won't get into, but I was once involved in a military project involving long-term storage of small arms. I was working with a manufacturer of protective plastic envelopes which were chemical VCI impregnated, and could be made in any shape and size. They claimed a useful protection storage life of 10 years before the chemical was exhausted. BTW, VCI means Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor.
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The corrosion inhibitors in the paper are VOLATILE, and there's
only a finite amount present in the paper. Once they evaporate,
they're gone.
Keep in mind the mfr's estimate of shelf life is going to be under
IDEAL conditions--like cool temp, stored in 100% vapor-tight
container (glass jar/metal lid, etc).
Lay a piece out on a counter top, and the volatiles will probably
be gone in a day or two.
Office Depot's got it for cheap...
georgek472
Member
V.C.I. Paper
S&W sells their Monogrammed V.C.I. paper, I bought some not long ago..Fairly cheap and reasonable. Give them a call.. George K.
S&W sells their Monogrammed V.C.I. paper, I bought some not long ago..Fairly cheap and reasonable. Give them a call.. George K.
Not insinuating anything. Why would I want to buy paper?
Didn't realize this was the for sale section.
Any idea where one might find vintage paper? I'm trying to get everything that would have come with my gold box K-38. I found an original "helpful hints" and the black SAT. Just need paper and cleaning stuff. I'm not worried the paper protective qualities.
