Protection against moisture - Silica Gel Dessicant

My experience is don't let a container or pouch of that silica dessicant be in contact or very close to the guns you are protecting. I had one of the small canisters in a safe on a shelf right next to a 22 pistol. The silica is absorbing moisture out of the air like a sponge and then it caused a very fine rust powder to form on the gun that was right next to it. I found it in time and a good wipedown and oil and it did not do visible damages but I was lucky that time. Actually I don't use it anymore as the gun cabinet is in a climate controlled part of the house now anyway. Dry, warm and dust free.
 
It will work ok, but it will have to be "recharged" periodically. How often that is required will depend on how wet your environment is.

I've never had problems with rust forming on my guns. I use a good corrosion protection product (Breakfree CLP or Beeman's MP5) and wipe them down after they've been handled and that seems to be enough. No dehumidifier or dessicant in my safe. In a very humid environment that might not be enough, but the DFW area isn't exactly what I'd call arid...
 
Eezox works very well for me as a protective coating. It dries and does not stay oily looking, will not absorb off of the metal as easily as Breakfree, and it looks fresh even after several months of being in storage. In a safe perhaps use a Goldenrod or some type of dehumidifier. I never liked the things that absorb moisture in a closed area because the moisture is still right there only concentrated in the dessicant container. JMO and other opinions may differ.
 
Oh, forgot: Kleenbore has some VPI heavy zip-lock bags that have done very well for me. There are pistol size and rifle size. CHeck them out at Brownell's I believe. If not, go to the Kleenbore site.
 
Plasma and some LCD TVs are packed with porous bags containing a desiccant weighing about a pound. I've been using them for several years. They can be dried in the oven at about 200 degrees for 3 or 4 hours. They even contain indicator beads the turn pink when the bag is too wet to work. Best of all, you can probably get them for free. The TV dealer has no use for them and will throw them away. My basement can get kinda damp, even with a dehumidifier. The bags have worked great! Not a bit of rust in any safe or container where I have used them.:D
 
Over 10 years ago the company I worked for purchased a new printing press from Germany. When the create was opened we found hundreds of 3 pound packets of desiccants inside. I took 20 of the packets and my mother-in-law made some 18” long by 2” wide round tubes of denim fabric. She sewed one end closed and filled the tubes with desiccant and then sewed the other end closed. She made me 5 of these tubes. I keep them in my gun safe and about every 4 months I put them in the oven at 175° F overnight. I have never had a problem with rust on any of my rifles, shotguns, handguns or knives.
 
For Christmas, my kids bought me a Remington rechargable moisture absorber. It is a little box that has a plug on the side. When the indicator changes from blue to pink, you plug it into a wall outlet for 12 hours and it burns off the moisture it is holding. I've got it in my gun cabinet now - can't tell you how it works yet.
 
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