Birchwood Casey silicone cloth PROMOTES RUST

[rboineau]

In hopes that this message may help someone avoid my sorry fate, I am posting this to the Forum. For many years I have stored some of my most valuable older firearms in pistol pouches, liberally coating the guns with RIG (rust inhibiting grease). I get the guns out from time to time for inspection and re-greasing. For extra protection, I have wrapped some of the guns in silicone cloth too, usually using the Hoppe's-type yellow cloth.
Not long ago I saw grey silicone cloth packages sold by Birchwood Casey and bought 3 or 4. Noticed that the cloths were unusually dry upon opening the packages but figured I would use them anyway. Couple months went by and I happened to pull one of the grey-wrapped guns out. I was stunned stupid to find small brown spots all over the cloths, and wherever one of those brown spots touched metal there were rust spots! Even through a thick coat of RIG, which had never let me down in almost 50 years of collecting. Near suicidal, I rushed to examine the rest of the grey-cloth-wrapped guns and found those spots, and usually rust, on all.
Won't depress you with the guns now devalued and defaced, other than to say one was a 90-year-old Colt, new with box and contents. Hope this doesn't happen to you

 

[df06]

That's sad.
I have used those cloths many years to wipe down guns, but never wrapped a gun in them for storage.
Never had any problems.

 

[loknload]

I would think that if those cloths were dry they were outdated with no product on them.
I have used them as well and mine have always been wet with product, left my hands oily as well.
I just use them for wiping down fingerprints though, for good cleaning and wiping I use Rem oil

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Midway sells silicon impregnated gun cleaning cloth for $2.99. They are well 'impregnated'.

 

[shouldazagged]

I've never had that problem with the Hoppe's version and have never once had a gun rust, even after years of no treatment except a once-a-year wipe-down.

Come to think if it, I've used the grey B-C cloths too, though it's been several years.

I hope you contacted Birchwood Casey.

 

[Sevens]

Storing guns in any kind of case or pouch is a BAD IDEA and while it does seem like the product let you down... you put those guns in a bad spot.

Most cases, wraps & etc attract moisture and hold moisture and storing a gun inside them long term subjects the gun to moisture directly, with no way for the gun (or the moisture!) to escape.

Pouches, rugs, cases, foam boxes and etc are all terrific ideas for transport and every one of them is a BAD idea for storage, especially long term storage.

 

[retiredbadge8091]

I had a stainless steel Mini 14 develop rust spots when left in a canvas carry case. I store my guns in gun safes either lying flat on the shelf or in racks.

 

[Frank121]

If you don't store them in a case or pouch, how would you store your guns if you had no gun safe?

Storing guns in any kind of case or pouch is a BAD IDEA and while it does seem like the product let you down... you put those guns in a bad spot.

Most cases, wraps & etc attract moisture and hold moisture and storing a gun inside them long term subjects the gun to moisture directly, with no way for the gun (or the moisture!) to escape.

Pouches, rugs, cases, foam boxes and etc are all terrific ideas for transport and every one of them is a BAD idea for storage, especially long term storage.

 

[Beemerguy53]

Storing guns in any kind of case or pouch is a BAD IDEA and while it does seem like the product let you down... you put those guns in a bad spot.

Most cases, wraps & etc attract moisture and hold moisture and storing a gun inside them long term subjects the gun to moisture directly, with no way for the gun (or the moisture!) to escape.

Pouches, rugs, cases, foam boxes and etc are all terrific ideas for transport and every one of them is a BAD idea for storage, especially long term storage.

I have a safe with two Goldenrods in it, as well as a large dessicant pack. My handguns are stored in plastic racks, muzzle facing up. Those that are not going to be fired are packed with RIG. Those that are fired regularly are cleaned and wiped down with a rag dampened with WD-40. I've never had a spot of rust on any handgun stored this way.

 

[Beemerguy53]

If you don't store them in a case or pouch, how would you store your guns if you had no gun safe?

Given the nature of the first post on this thread (a 50 year collector with some very valuable guns), I think we are all assuming that those guns were stored in a safe. But then again, the OP didn't actually say that, did he?

I think a safe is essential for those of us who own firearms, except in very rare circumstances...and not just for obvious reasons. (I not only do not want my guns stolen, I do not want them to be used in crimes.) Even if you have only one, or a few, handguns, there are inexpensive safes to hold them that will fit in a closet and weigh enough that they can't easily be carried off. If you have valuable, or collectable, firearms, I can't imagine not having a safe to store them. Just my opinion...

 

[Sevens]

Before I had a safe... I put a deadbolt on a solid wood door to a smallish walk-in closet and inside, the guns lived "free" of any case and free of rust also.

If finances prevent the purchase of a safe... might be time to pause the gun buying and consider a safe purchase. And if it's finances AND logistics that prevent the purchase of a proper safe then even a metal "gun security cabinet" for $179 is an idea.

But it's not horribly difficult to get creative... and NOT store guns wrapped in boxes, foam or cases.

 

[Donn]

I've used a BC cloth for many years. Nothing lasts forever, so the gurus at the LGS do suggest spraying it with a light, (emphasis on light), coating of silicone gun lube when it dries out.