They are still out there..sometimes even affordable

[rct269]

WD 40's great stuff-----sometimes even for guns.

This particular gun was a Browning Auto 5, as new, in a fitted leather carrying case, residing in a 4th bedroom on the LOWER level of our fancy tri-level split level new home in Chicago-----having just moved from Philadelphia---and not knowing beans from apple butter about Chicagoland---AND not having been blessed with an honest, caring real estate agent---only one interested in their fat commission.

So here we are in Chicagoland---which is "lakeside property". That's a fancy name for property possessed of a HIGH water table on the one hand, and leaky sewers on the other hand.

Leaky sewers are so named because they leak. They leak out---AND IN!!

Then it rained-----A LOT! The high water table got even higher---high enough to present a hazard to the uninitiated living in fancy tri-level split level homes.

The other rooms on the lower level were a family room, a bathroom, and a "utility" room----with a floor drain.

So, it's o'dark thirty. It's raining---A LOT. It's been raining A LOT. A new, and mysterious sound is emanating from the lower level-----UMPAW---UMPAW----UMPAW. It turns out there sounds are coming from pumping stations associated with the sewer systems---which leak---out---and IN!!

Given the already high water table, and the rain, and the, leaky sewers, the sewers are overwhelmed by water leaking INTO them----and looking for a place to get out. Some of it, quite a bit of it actually, is getting out by way of the floor drain in our utility room----and the toilet----and the shower drain----all in the lower level of our fancy tri-level-split level new home----which is now, by the way, audibly connected to those pumping stations I mentioned----UMPAH----UMPAH----UMPAH---connected with a surge of "stuff" rising from the aforementioned lower level drains----which needless to say, are not draining---quite the opposite!

So---back to this shotgun. It's on the floor of this fourth bedroom. It's floating in its case-----up until the case was filled with water----and stuff---and sank.

Not too long after that, it was out in the garage, all taken apart (every piece), and being slathered with WD-40, which, true to its name, displaced ALL the water (and stuff)------and saved the day!! (Well, not the day, but for sure the shotgun!)

Ralph Tremaine

By the by, if any are in need of learning where not to live in Chicagoland, I can tell you.

By the by again, there are strange looking devices, WIDELY available in this particular area of Chicagoland, to be used to plug up toilet drains floor drains, and shower drains. We had some---AFTER the first time we needed them. They work fine!

 

[max503]

The issue with WD-40 is that when it's solvent evaporates, it leaves the "lubricant" as a gummy substance. WD-40 does some things well. It does penetrate and displaces water, hence the name "WD-40", indicating Water Displacing 40th formula. So it can be good for coating ferrous metals to prevent rust, but it will have to be removed in order for moving parts to move smoothly.

Don't look now but even the factory lube inside an S&W revolver will gunk up over time.

 

[stansdds]

Don't look now but even the factory lube inside an S&W revolver will gunk up over time.

Most lubricants will harden with sufficient time, some just faster than others.

 

[glowe]

Don't look now but even the factory lube inside an S&W revolver will gunk up over time.

That is the point. There is no way to know what lubricant was used to lubricate these revolvers. Any of the old oils will dry over decades, leaving a waxy sticky residue. Good news is that the new synthetic oils have a much longer life in service.

I cannot believe that the yellow showing on nickel plated guns is WD-40, since it would wipe away with one swipe of a cloth with acetone. WD-40 is composed of Aliphatic Hydrocarbon 65-75% and Petroleum Base Oil less than 35%. Both are easily dissolved in the presence of solvents. Nickel plating gives off a slight yellow cast when freshly supplied and can oxidize over time given the right circumstances. If left long enough, without protection, nickel oxidation reduces the shine and brightness of nickel. Polishing compounds are best used to bring back the brightness.

 

[rubiranch]

The dull had that yellow sheen indicative of old WD40.

Say its not true!!!
People actually use WD-40?????
Don't people get horse whipped for doing that??

I'd love to have been the one to clean up you beautiful M-10.

 

[Green Frog]

Once upon a time I heard about using a product called Mother's Mag Wheel Polish. Does that work safely on nickel finishes as well? IIRC, it was being touted for use on stainless, but amphibian memory being what it is, I'm not sure I recall.

Froggie

 

[raljr1]

I saw a couple of sales on GB recently where a decent 4"K38 sold for $400 and an outdoorsman sold for under $500. Neither was a safe queen, but both well worth the $$

 

[boykinlp]

Please forgive my thread drift, but this seems like the place to ask people who might know the answer. Will machine washing remove WD-40 from clothes?
Larry