Ever store your guns w/ dessicant...
- Thread starter zauer
- Start date
I live in CA near the beach and store my firearms in a safe with rechargeable silica boxes. They seem to last about two months, then pop them in the oven for a few hours and your are good to go. I have never had any problem with rust but always make sure that the bores, internal mechanisms and outside surfaces are lightly coated with CLP.
noban
noban
Every single one of my handguns has a light coat of CLP, and I place a desiccant pack in each of their boxes. I then store the boxes in my safe, which is equipped with a Golden Rod dehumidifier. My safe is in a house that uses refrigerated air conditioning. The house is located in the arid climate of West Texas. You could say I'm moisture averse where my guns are concerned 
shooter.45
New member
I also use the Desi paks in the box when the middle dot turns from blue to pink time to throw in the oven. works good for me no problems.
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shooter.batcave.net
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shooter.batcave.net
I keep at least two silica gel packs in my arms chest. I bake them in the oven per the instructions when the indicator card changes color. I do this two or three times a year, but probably ought to do it more often. Inside each gun box I have one or more Brownells Rust Blox (which reminds me that I need to order some more). I use a Goldenrod to protect my long guns.
I've never had any problem with rust, except: a revolver hammer I forgot to wipe after use, and a couple of blued magazines that I left dry.
I've never had any problem with rust, except: a revolver hammer I forgot to wipe after use, and a couple of blued magazines that I left dry.
Cap n ball
New member
I use goldenrods and silica gel.
light coating of rust blox and replace the seal around the lid to the gun case with the same that is used on freezers about once a year. The main thing I've found that promotes corrosion is any particles of propellant left on the piece. Cleaning thoroughly and often is the best insurance.
light coating of rust blox and replace the seal around the lid to the gun case with the same that is used on freezers about once a year. The main thing I've found that promotes corrosion is any particles of propellant left on the piece. Cleaning thoroughly and often is the best insurance.
Use cans of silica gel in my safe. Have to periodically "bake" them out. I don't use a goldenrod because I'm paranoid about electrical heating elements near my guns & ammo. (Probably shouldn't be with all the other electical appliances in my home, but I prefer "passive" protection in the safe.)
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by HankB:
Use cans of silica gel in my safe. Have to periodically "bake" them out. I don't use a goldenrod because I'm paranoid about electrical heating elements near my guns & ammo. (Probably shouldn't be with all the other electical appliances in my home, but I prefer "passive" protection in the safe.)[/quote]
A goldenrod is essentially the equivalent of a 15 watt lightbulb. So I don't understand your concern. I'm not saying that the goldenrod would be better than dessicant, just that I don't know why you're afraid of it. It doesn't get very hot.
M1911
Use cans of silica gel in my safe. Have to periodically "bake" them out. I don't use a goldenrod because I'm paranoid about electrical heating elements near my guns & ammo. (Probably shouldn't be with all the other electical appliances in my home, but I prefer "passive" protection in the safe.)[/quote]
A goldenrod is essentially the equivalent of a 15 watt lightbulb. So I don't understand your concern. I'm not saying that the goldenrod would be better than dessicant, just that I don't know why you're afraid of it. It doesn't get very hot.
M1911
Mike Irwin
Staff
I keep my handguns in ammo cans, with mothballs in the cans. As the mothballs sublimate, they drive out any moisture laden air.
I also use Johnson's Paste Wax on my guns. I've found it to be very effective in preventing rust.
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Smith & Wesson is dead to me.
If you want a Smith & Wesson, buy USED!
I also use Johnson's Paste Wax on my guns. I've found it to be very effective in preventing rust.
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Smith & Wesson is dead to me.
If you want a Smith & Wesson, buy USED!
...which brings up a question I have. I also use a boxed desicant. When it turns pink at the bottom ya bake it to recharge it. How pink before recharging? If it's barely pink (real light) then I'm over due. How dark does the pink get for requiring a recharge? Anybody?
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...let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
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...let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Since we're talking about dessicant, I'll ask an OT question. Moderators, feel free to delete it if you think it's too OT.
For the first time in 13 years, I have to store my "baby" (Harley) in a garage that gets pretty damp. I've thought about just using a breathable cover, but I've also thought about making a large plastic "bag" for it and putting large packages of silica gel dessicant in the bag. Would this work, or am I asking for trouble i.e. buying new parts next year?
Thanks for any replies.
Dick
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For the first time in 13 years, I have to store my "baby" (Harley) in a garage that gets pretty damp. I've thought about just using a breathable cover, but I've also thought about making a large plastic "bag" for it and putting large packages of silica gel dessicant in the bag. Would this work, or am I asking for trouble i.e. buying new parts next year?
Thanks for any replies.
Dick
Want to send a message to Bush? Sign the petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/monk/petition.html and forward the link to every gun owner you know.
hksigwalther
New member
I drown my guns in Beoshield, allow them to dry, for the more expensive guns, I pack those in Bianchi Blue Bags, seal those, then throw them in my dessicant packed (the canister sized ones), weather stripped safes. Can't be too careful.
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- Ron V.
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- Ron V.
Tom Matiska
New member
Rice makes a great poor mans silica gel.
Just to confirm it really worked I put around 200 grs on my balance beam scale and noted it grew progressively heavier as time passed. I baked it in the oven around 250 and sure enough the weight dropped back down.
It's cheap enough.
Tom
Just to confirm it really worked I put around 200 grs on my balance beam scale and noted it grew progressively heavier as time passed. I baked it in the oven around 250 and sure enough the weight dropped back down.
It's cheap enough.
Tom
Mike Irwin
Staff
Monkeyleg,
You need a 25-pt. or so dehumidifier.
If that doesn't work, do NOT put a plastic cover over the bike. It can be a focus point for condensation.
You could always try getting one of the large pasteboard motorcycle shipping boxes from a moving company and put the dessicant inside that.
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Smith & Wesson is dead to me.
If you want a Smith & Wesson, buy USED!
You need a 25-pt. or so dehumidifier.
If that doesn't work, do NOT put a plastic cover over the bike. It can be a focus point for condensation.
You could always try getting one of the large pasteboard motorcycle shipping boxes from a moving company and put the dessicant inside that.
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Smith & Wesson is dead to me.
If you want a Smith & Wesson, buy USED!
Mike, I know not to just put plastic over it. There's companies that make some pretty slick zippered covers that use silca gel packs for moisture-proofing.
Ron, you're the first person that I've noticed here that's mentioned the Bianchi bags. I thought I was alone in using them. Have been for five or six years with great results. Now that I'm nervous, I'm going to check in them...
Dick
Want to send a message to Bush? Sign the petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/monk/petition.html and forward the link to every gun owner you know.
Ron, you're the first person that I've noticed here that's mentioned the Bianchi bags. I thought I was alone in using them. Have been for five or six years with great results. Now that I'm nervous, I'm going to check in them...
Dick
Want to send a message to Bush? Sign the petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/monk/petition.html and forward the link to every gun owner you know.
hksigwalther
New member
Tom Matiska,
Now there is an idea. I knew rice was hydrophilic and see then in salt shakers occasionally at restaurants. I never thought to use them as dessicants (for my guns)though. And being of asian descent(sp), I have plenty too. This is my lesson learned for the day from TFL. Thanks for the tip Tom.
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- Ron V.
Now there is an idea. I knew rice was hydrophilic and see then in salt shakers occasionally at restaurants. I never thought to use them as dessicants (for my guns)though. And being of asian descent(sp), I have plenty too. This is my lesson learned for the day from TFL. Thanks for the tip Tom.
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- Ron V.
Tom Matiska
New member
hksigwalther,
You are welcome. Rice is low tech, and it doesn't change neat colors when it absorbs moisture. My collection consists mostly of low cost levers, revolvers, and a NEF single shot, so the "low tech" solution looks better in the gun cabinet....sorta has that blue collar touch..
Tom
You are welcome. Rice is low tech, and it doesn't change neat colors when it absorbs moisture. My collection consists mostly of low cost levers, revolvers, and a NEF single shot, so the "low tech" solution looks better in the gun cabinet....sorta has that blue collar touch..
Tom