[Slater]

Got a friend that bought one of the Romanian AK-47's. Waxed the entire gun (metal and wood) with Johnson's. He claims that he can shoot in the rain and the water just beads up and the gun is protected.

I'm not really sure about this. On a cheap gun , maybe. In theory wax should protect metal for a short time but I'm not sure about firearms applications.

Thoughts pro/con?

[1 old 0311]

I have used it for decades. It is good to apply for storage, and if used on a stainless/nickel/polished weapon will prevent fingerprints.

[ken grant]

The wax works better than oil when using a gun when it is raining or snowing.
It also works well when in storage.
I melt the wax and then use a brush to apply it and then let dry. If you use too much,it is very easy to wipe off but still protects your gun.

[PotatoJudge]

Johnson's wax contains a wax solvent. This means that each time you recoat it, you're mixing what's left of the old and new wax to get a fresh coat, no build-up. It's great for fingerprins, and is a good wood lubricant (helps prevent scratches in stocks, furniture, whatever). It's not a good wood finish, as it does little to prevent movement of moisture into and out of the wood.

[Bad Flynch]

This is an old trick and works well for some. Johnson's Paste Wax is also a very good release agen when expoxy bedding time comes, so keep it around.

[Brian Williams]

Yep I use it all the time, good luck finding it.

[Plink]

I feel that wax has it's uses, but it's not for everything. An oil film tends to be self healing, whereas wax is not. If anything breaks the wax layer, such as twigs during a hunt or holster abrasion, it leaves those places open to corrosion. I love to use wax on magazine innards though. It makes them all slick like without the worry of oil migration into ammo, or dust collecting in the oil and jamming a mag. Wax isn't the best of rust proofers either, as I learned by using it on my pocket knives in the past. CorrosionX keeps them rust free for a very long time.

[piste]

But what about...wax on barrel..barrel gets hot...wax melts and drips...no?

Also...good luck finding it?? Around me it's in any hardware store I walk into.

[brickeyee]

If you use Johnson's (or any other high quality paste wax) the film left after applying, drying, and rubbing is very thin and will shed water.
It is not thick enough to really melt and drip.

While paste wax does contain a solvent (typically just paint thinner) if it is applied correctly it does leave wax behind on the surface.
Apply wax evenly, allow it to haze over and become dull, then polish with a cloth.
The solvent evaporates and the cloth will pick up excess wax and the friction warms the surface enough to create a nice even film.

[sm]

Definitely PRO!