Spray "oil" for storage/lubrication.......

heckinohio

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I just ran out of RiG spray. New mfgr. quality doesnt seem to match old original......doubt I replace it.

I found two nearly full silicone sprays here, no idea where they came from.......Permatex & Gunk....both marked "silicone lubricant".

Is there any shortcoming to using silicone based sprays for storage??? or for lubricant???

PJH
 
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Some silicone sprays contain volatile carriers that may damage sight inserts, grip finishes and plastic parts.....and they are not "lubricants" in the same sense as petroleum or mineral oil based products. Not the best for storage IMHO.

For storage, I remove the grip panels and apply a thin film of Frog Lube CLP (the "paste" version) with an old toothbrush....wipe off any excess, replace grips.....then into the safe. Long term storage is the above, then into a zip lock freezer bag with several packets of silica-gel.

Others will be along soon with their particular regimen.
 
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I don't think silicone spray is a good choice for a gun lube, but I do spray it onto my silicone cloth and use it to wipe down guns I am storing in the safe.
 
I have used Rig products almost exclusively for 35 years and while they have gone through 3 different ownerships I see little to no difference in the properties. Their current manufacturer is Birchwood Casey which makes some really excellent products under their own label as well. While I also have a spray can of Rig #2 oil, I much prefer the 4.5 ounce spout cans. It not only goes where I want it to, but it seems to last much longer.

Midway and Mid South both sell the 4.5 ounce cans for around $4.50 or so.
 
Ballistol is your best insurance here. It's mineral based and will mix with water and still protect your gun. Any petroleum based product will drive moisture to inaccessible areas and let rust take hold.
 
Ballistol is your best insurance here. It's mineral based and will mix with water and still protect your gun. Any petroleum based product will drive moisture to inaccessible areas and let rust take hold.

Are you saying Ballistol is NOT a pretroleum based product?

IIRC, Ballistol's primary ingredient is white mineral oil, which is made from petroleum.
 
Try this for a general purpose CLP , equal parts Automatic Transmission Fluid ( regular GM or synthetic ) and kerosene. 1-K kerosene used for hurricane lamp oil , kerosene heaters and stoves is a highly refined kerosene great for this use. Hardware stores usually carry it.
Mix up equal parts and put in a empty Windex spray bottle, you wouldn't believe how good this stuff is .
The Windex bottle plastic won't be affected by the kerosene, other types will...try it once !
Gary
 
Thanks, Gents!!! I will probably move these cans to the (ex) race engine building area.

I have used RiG since the 1960's, was disappointed when they folded. I have 2 pint cans of the brush on, my guns all hang out in the open and tend to get handled by visitors. Paint can RiG brushed on will take several handlings. I use it sparingly on the metal inside of pistols wooden grips too. Not many of my handguns have a finish on the wooden grips. With machine guns, I spray on a mix of WD 40 & 50wt Valvoline racing oil, both when we are in the field & after cleaning. leaves them ready to use again.

PJH
 
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Mineral oil is a by-product of the crude oil refining process.

From the MSDS:

"Ballistol contains medicinal grade mineral oil, alkaline salts of oleic acid, several alcohols, Benzyl Acetate and an oil
from vegetal seeds. The mineral oil is unchlorinated and conforms to the specifications of US Pharmacopeia XX."
 
Here is a thread to the MSDS of Ballistol.
It does contain a type of mineral oil, but it is a non petroleum based mineral oil from what I can gather.
http://www.ballistol.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/MSDS_TECH_BIO.pdf

USP/food grade/"medicinal" white mineral oils, baby oil(scented white mineral oil) are all petroleum products.

"Medicinal grade white mineral oil" per the Ballistol MSDS/SDS CAS#8042-47-5 is the following...

http://www.shell.com/business-custo...ardship-lubes-white-mineral-oil-petroleum.pdf
 
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What are members views on Breakfree CLP and Breakfree Collectors for a long term rust preventative for guns in storage or not used frequently. Good for bore protection?
 
Silicone in aerosol form is know to deactivate primers even if the ammunition is not present when using. After wiping down the weapon and loading it the silicone can react with the primer. Remington Arms discovered this when one of our officers had total misfires in a gunfight. Later his ammo was tested by Remington along with the weapon and silicone aerosol was found to be the culprit.
 
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Oils from plants are not mineral oils by any definition I've ever read. Vegetable oils are pressed or distilled from plant biomass. Mineral oil comes out of the ground; from petroleum. Ballistol appears to contain both, although petroleum is the larger percentage of the total ingredients.
 
I have found one excellent use for silicone spray: cleaning disassembled magazines. Spray all parts, wipe off and reassemble.

I have an aversion to spraying ANYTHING into an assembled gun, based on experience.
 
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