[fixyurgun]

Good evening,
Does anyone know what the formula of brownells water-displacing oil is? Not wanting to infringe on anyones patents but I need a cheaper oil. Ideas? thanks , jim

[brickeyee]

First step is usually the MSDS

Even if you have the exact composition though, the cost of ingredients in small quantities is a killer.
Industrial chem houses laugh when you want to purchase in gallons.
They sell in the hundreds and thousands of gallons.
'How many tank cars you need?'

[SDC]

There are a couple of things you can use, but most of the things that will displace water aren't necessarily the best things to use on guns; WD-40 ("Water Displacement 40") was designed specifically to get water out of machinery, but because it will also penetrate such small cracks, it will likely KILL any ammo it comes into contact with. Are you looking at a handgun or a longarm? For some things, it might be easier to strip it down to bare metal and spray it out with compressed air.

[Big Az Al]

here Kibab oil sells water displacing oil, I know the 5 gallon amount is common stock.

[fixyurgun]

OK , thanks for the input. brickeyee, The msds is very vague (to foil folks getting around the high price). SDC, this is the final step in a hot bluing operation, need about 3 gals rite now. Al you hit the nail on the head (I hope) I'll check the yellow pages tommorow. Sombody's bound to have it for less than $50/gal. thanks all, jim

[pete f]

Almost all oil is water displacing. Kerosene or diesel will displace water, its physics, oil is lighter than water, it gets under the water and lifts it up on top.

[jpcampbell]

The difference between Brownell's oil and say wd40 and some of the other WD oils is Brownell's doesn't get gummy after awhile from contact with water.

[brickeyee]

"Almost all oil is water displacing. Kerosene or diesel will displace water, its physics, oil is lighter than water, it gets under the water and lifts it up on top."

Ypou are corect in that oil floats on water.
That is not what "water displacing" means.
Surface tension tends to hold water on surfaces, even if the pbeject is submerged in oil.
There are oils specially designed to lift water from the surface and allow the oil to make complete contact.
Most are relatively low viscosity, and often have other solvents added (like alcohols) to aid in displacing the water.

[fixyurgun]

Turns out it's 66% deodorized kerosene & the rest is mineral oil. I'm going to try & locate a source for the kerosene tommorrow. Am also considering just using standard kerosene mixed with the food-grade mineral oil that I'm already using for gun oil. jim

[eliphalet]

Been using WD-40 on wet guns or just guns in general 30 or 40 years, it does a good job with no ammo problems yet.

[pete f]

yes and kerosene is a light weight water displacing oil, and kerosene and Diesel oil are very very close in nature, with Kerosene being an applicable replacement for diesel in extreme cold

ATF will do the same thing, as will many other lighter weight oils

[GeorgeR]

If you're trying to get rid of salts bleed out after blueing, www.jantzsupply.com has Neutrasol, $10 a quart which mixes with water to 20 quarts. Cook your just blued guns for 20 minutes at 180 degrees and you'll never have bleed out again.

[jakk280rem]

the wd in wd-40 means water displacing. its basicaly kerosene and purfume.

[eliphalet]

I read once but wouldn't say this is a fact, that the wd does mean water displacing and the 40 came from the fact it was on the 40th try to get the formula right they were successful.

[Robert Hairless]

I've used Ballistol after hot water bluing. Works for me. I also like its aroma. No one else does.

[sgphoto]

One of the great urban legends about WD40 is it will "kill" properly seated primers . Like most legends, it's been repeated so many times it's become "gospel".

Here's a test that is "real world" and not just so much blather about WD40.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot39.htm

While not scientific, it's good enough. I've shot ammo that was in revolver chambers for 35 years with a lot of WD40 sprayed on, around, up and down. The ammo still works just fine.

Why pay $3.00 for a can of WD40 when you can buy the latest and greatest new stuff for $20.00 an ounce?

Another marketing ploy that sells high-priced kerosene, simple oils, and grease.

After all, it if costs more money it must be good!

Save your money, WD40 works just fine.

Steve

[katastrof0]

Correct link:
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot39.htm

BB John

[guncrank]

I use water souble oil for after bluing treatment.