Waxing handguns?

[MichiganScott]

I've used J&J paste wax on my hunting rifles for years. I've never had a spot of rust anywhere.

 

[bountyhunter]

It is my hope that this question is in the proper location! If not, could a moderator please move it to an appropriate location?

In a number of posts, I have seen respondents comment about waxing stainless steel handguns. Just this morning, I saw reference to waxing a blued revolver in order to "preserve" the finish. I have been around guns all my life, and never heard of this being done to firearms.

Could someone please briefly explain the rationale, and advise what type of wax would be used?

Thanks!

I used a urethane clearcoat sealant. Works really well.

 

[Neumann]

Renaissance Wax is easy to use. Apply with your fingers and buff with a clean cloth or paper towel. It takes no more time than oiling and wiping off fingerprints. The wax is mixed with a solvent, but a very mild odored one, and is snow white. I don't remove oil first. Any oil mixes with the Ren Wax and buffs off well enough for government work.

The effect on an older blue S&W with the deep finish is stunning. Like the night sky in a remote camp. It shines stainless a bit, but the best feature is that fingerprints and dust don't stick.

That 4 oz jar is two years old and barely touched. At this rate, there'll be some left for my grandchildren.

Urethane sealant? Shirley you jest.

 

[Jessie]

I don't go crazy cleaning oil off either. It's in the wax and after a few times of doing it, its been pretty much buffed out or in. Either way won't hurt a thing.
It does make a good gun look great again. Plus it doesn't harm the wood stocks. In fact it helps them also.
Try it. If you don't like it, it will wear off in time.
By the way, a soft bristle tooth brush is good for getting wax build up out of corners and stamped lettering/ numbers.

 

[italiansport]

My experience with oil or grease left on guns to be waxed is when wax is applied over it guess what it streaks. Buff some more and it will continue to streak. Why fight this when a simple application of Acetone removes the oil or grease and makes waxing an easy task!
Jim

 

[Kevin G]

Does it make sense to wax frequently used handguns?
After firing, for routine cleaning does it have to be "stripped down" w/acetone to bare metal and then rewaxed?
Tks, Kevin

 

[arjay]

I've noticed that a waxed gun can just be wiped off with a dry rag after shooting.The innards still need a proper cleaning though

 

[JSR III]

The rationale behind waxing guns is because wet oil attracts dust. When the oil dries up the dust is left behind and the dust attracts moisture. Obviously, moisture on a metal gun is not good. Most tiny freckling on guns was caused by oil, dust and moisture. When you wax the metal, you create a moisture proof barrier between the metal and the surroundings.

This process is recommended by the curator of the Springfield Museum and if its good enough for a museum collection of very old and priceless guns, then it is certainly good enough for me.

Set up a TV tray the next time you are watching the Charlies Angels reruns and before you know it you will have waxed a dozen guns or more.

 

[joeintexas]

I'm another fan of Renwax. I buy a fair amount of 20-30year old guns, Renwax makes them shine and brings back their original charm. A can should last longer than I will.

 

[OlTimer]

To each their own Waxing ? what ever happened to proper care, The Range I go to Charges $25 to clean a Pistol with a method that leaves them bone dry and becomes in need of some lubrication. I have firearms over 200 years old. from Iron, Damascus, Steel. they see nothing but Hoppes and proper care. If you have an S/S pistol with rust shame on you. My guns have been used from Saltwater Hunting to Alaska where my brother has lived for 60 years and laughed at the thought of waxing. their take on it put them on your car roof run it thru a carwash that uses RainX and your good to go. Do you also wax the Bores.