General Purpose Wipe-Down Lube for Guns

[hanshi]

I use a a product called Kramer's Antique Restorer. It is essentially beeswax and other 'secret' ingrediants dissolved in turpentine and is used on fine wood furniture. I put it on wood and (exterior) metal as a protectant. But, I have heard so much about Ballistol that I'm about to start using that for everything, short of brushing my teeth.

Why stop at brushing your teeth with it? Should at least make a good gargle. :rotf:

 

[Rifleman1776]

I use a a product called Kramer's Antique Restorer. It is essentially beeswax and other 'secret' ingrediants dissolved in turpentine and is used on fine wood furniture. I put it on wood and (exterior) metal as a protectant. But, I have heard so much about Ballistol that I'm about to start using that for everything, short of brushing my teeth.

I don't want to risk being arrested for driving while on turpentine. :wink:
BTW, I don't know Kramer but he is a good friend of a good friend of mine. Kramer is a buckskinner and ml'er.


Why stop at brushing your teeth with it? Should at least make a good gargle. :rotf:

 

[Joel/Calgary]

I have used the old standby G.I. gun oil since Nam. Army surplus stores are the general source.Since I used up what I had left.For long term storage I use Spray on 709 anti rust spray :idunno:

Yep. I grew up with the stuff.
Welcome home.

H#ll, when I went in, PL-S and PL-M were still the standard and using LSA was just starting to spread beyond that "Mattel" :rotf: rifle.

Regards,
Joel

Dang - another bald moment. I completely forgot about using Libriplate on camming surfaces and such.

Regards,
Joel

 

[Number19]

Just an FYI for what's it's worth...I started using this GI Medium Weapons Oil in the 70's.
It's a medium weight oil with white Lithium grease mixed / suspended in it...I keep an old washcloth damp with it, laying on a large gallon size plastic Ziploc bag on the bench so its always handy.
Last thing I do before casing a gun is to completely wipe down all exterior wood and metal.
I buy a case of 24 bottles from Army/Navy stores every few years...has been an outstanding general purpose gun lube for almost 40 years now.

It's great for wiping down metal. You say you also use it to wipe down the wood. Searching the internet, I find no reports on the long term effect on its use on wood. Is there any change in the finish or coloration? Does it build up to a shiny finish? Basically, does it have any effect on the original finish of the stock?

 

[rabjr]

:shocked2: I sure hope not! Been using the stuff since I was about 12 on my guns...

 

[roundball]

Is there any change in the finish or coloration? Does it build up to a shiny finish? Basically, does it have any effect on the original finish of the stock?

None I've ever noticed and I'm picky about keeping my guns in tip-top shape...would have noticed and stopped using it.
Have used it on a lifetime variety of several Remington model 700 / 870 / 1100 / 1187 BDL stocks, Savage SxS's, Marlin levers, several walnut stocked T/C Hawkens, maple stocked Dickert, Early Virginias, and Late Lancaster.

 

[Number19]

Read a review on the net and although it was not rated the "best" under a salt water spray test, it was right there near the top and was rated the best value. The best seems to be, at least in this one series of tests, a product called Eezox, but a 4 oz spray can runs about $7. I haven't placed an order yet, But I found Gold Nugget Army Surplus selling LSA at $3.79. I'll be buying a case or two, myself, to use with all my guns.

 

[roundball]

To be honest...and this is just my personal opinion...I really don't pay attention to those kinds of tests because they are nowhere near reality.
IE: Whose going to leave a firearm outside in the back yard for a couple weeks???

I can't make a distinction between lubes with a test like that for use in the real world because they all work fine in that hostile environment for a few days anyway, then after that some last longer than others.

But I'm never going to have a firearm in that kind of environment more than a few hours at worst, so a two week salt water spray test is really meaningless to me...LOL...I think those tests are meant to invoke a reaction in potential buyers of "gee whiz" so they buy "their" product.
Others mileage may vary of course

 

[Number19]

You're right, of course. I don't know your location, but I'm down on the Texas Gulf coast down near Houston. This morning - about mid morning - I shot a few rounds at the gun club. By the time I was through, my pants and my shirt were totally drenched from sweat - as wet as if I had sprayed myself with a garden hose. I've been using Barricade patches to wipe my guns down, but I'll give this LSA a try.

 

[roundball]

June / July / August / September here in central NC, the temp & humidity run neck and neck in the mid to high 90's.
At 6:00am this morning it was 98%, right now it's down to 93%...you can't do anything outside for more than a few minutes without getting drenched.

But a couple hours of sweat in a dove field (Labor Day) doesn't affect a gun...when I get home it gets 100% cleaned, 100% dried, then 100% lubed with something...almost doesn't matter what lube as long as its clean & dry underneath the lube.
The humidity in the air conditioned house is way down in the 40's, same thing inside the safe.