On the board of directors of a museum: dealing with firearms.

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FWIW, there's nothing magical about using cotton gloves for curatorial purposes. Quite the contrary Nitrile (not latex) gloves and finger cots are also very commonly used. I suspect nitrile gloves and finger cots are preferred for use over cotton gloves, but I'm not certain.
 
Solomonson said:
I've used it for decades around here and it has performed excellently.
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Anything works if one continues to apply it, but it isn't a good performer as far as rust goes for guns left unattended for a period of time in high humidity.
 
When I did conservation work one museum, I used Frog Lube and a nickel to remove any rust. This allowed me to protect the patina. After the object was cleaned, it was treated with Renaissance Wax. Developed by the conservators of the British Museum and used by museum conservators worldwide, RW is PH neutral, microcrystalline and penetrates the pore. It may be used on metal, wood and leather. Apply with a soft, clean cotton cloth and rub in. It's better and more versatile than RIG.
 
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FWIW, there's nothing magical about using cotton gloves for curatorial purposes. Quite the contrary Nitrile (not latex) gloves and finger cots are also very commonly used. I suspect nitrile gloves and finger cots are preferred for use over cotton gloves, but I'm not certain.
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Nitrile gloves will certainly provide excellent protection for the item being handled, but they can leave visible fingerprints/smudges in whatever protectant is being used.
 
JohnKSa said:
Ballistol consistently scores poorly in the informal corrosion tests I've seen. It's far better than nothing but there are superior choices for corrosion protection/prevention.
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I am sure it works fantastic in a climate controlled museum where everything is handled with gloves. However, I have also see corrosion tests and did my own as well. Ballistol didn't do well at all.
 
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

While I appreciate the benefits of waxing (firearms), if a particular individual has had no issues with a marginal preservative, why push him to change it? Things just don't rust as badly in central CA, unless you are right on the ocean. Humidity today in Bakersfield is about 27%. Humidity today in Dallas is about 71%. I doubt Dallas has the worst humidity in the USA, I just chose them as an example. Generally speaking, corrosion tests tend to subject the item and preservative being tested to something MUCH worse than even 35% humidity (which is a very humid day, where I grew up).

If you don't mind my asking, where is this museum? I might very well be able to/like to visit sometime.
 
Mauser lover said:
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

While I appreciate the benefits of waxing (firearms), if a particular individual has had no issues with a marginal preservative, why push him to change it? Things just don't rust as badly in central CA, unless you are right on the ocean. Humidity today in Bakersfield is about 27%. Humidity today in Dallas is about 71%. I doubt Dallas has the worst humidity in the USA, I just chose them as an example. Generally speaking, corrosion tests tend to subject the item and preservative being tested to something MUCH worse than even 35% humidity (which is a very humid day, where I grew up).

If you don't mind my asking, where is this museum? I might very well be able to/like to visit sometime.
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Ballistol isn't a "marginal preservative." You're absolutely right though -- the difference in humidity between say California Valley and New Orleans is huge. Renaissance Wax is used at the museum, but I chose Ballistol because it was used the last time the collection was cleaned (~5 years ago) and there has been zero degradation/corrosion since, plus I had some.

The museum doesn't have a great number of firearms on display unless it's actually doing an exhibit on firearms -- the last one was about 5 years ago. What it does is integrate a handful of different firearms into exhibits on the Old West, the different wars, the Mission Period, etc., etc.
 
Sorry, wasn't trying to exemplify Ballistol as a marginal preservative.

How about this... "if a particular individual has had no issues with even a marginal preservative, why push him to change it?"

My point was that localized experience is generally much more significant to most users than a "test", because tests are generally irrelevant. Not that Ballistol is marginal. After all (as I zip up my flame suit...) some people like WD-40! :D
 
Oh.

When I saw the headline, I thought the thread was going to be about the problems museums face with displaying firearms in a way meaningful to their patrons while still maintaining adequate security against theft or misuse. I didn't realize it was going to be about cleaning and oiling the collection.

Never mind.
 
Renaissance Wax for firearms that are going to sit for long periods of time, Rig Grease for those I shoot regularly.

But it is just like the which oil is best threads, as long as you use something, and keep it replenished, you're likely going to be fine.

Rig Grease didn't fair all that well in tests either. Hornady One Shot was great for rust, WD Special was great, while many "name" brand favorites fared poorly.

RW forms a barrier, and it looks great, both good reasons to use it, especially for a museum showing off firearms.

You asked for suggestions. :)
 

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JohnKSa said:
It is interesting that it performs so poorly in the various corrosion tests I've seen and yet has provided excellent long-term corrosion protection in your experience.
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Most corrosion tests want results quickly, so they expose the metal to extreme conditions like a salt water spray. That's fine if you plan on storing your guns above deck on a sailboat, but lot of products that can't fend off salt spray will work just fine in a less corrosive environment.
 
Solomonson said:
They are a great repository of sweat (in other words salt), derma and other contaminants.
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I agree with cotton gloves being overrated. I have never used them in a museum setting, but do work as an engineer in the aviation industry. The "lint free" cotton gloves I've seen specified for use in inspection work are never "lint free" IMO... :thumbdown:
 
everydefense said:
I agree with cotton gloves being overrated. I have never used them in a museum setting, but do work as an engineer in the aviation industry. The "lint free" cotton gloves I've seen specified for use in inspection work are never "lint free" IMO... :thumbdown:
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Not too long ago I watched a "major historian" come to the museum's research archive to go through some photos. A volunteer took him through the process. He cut her off and said "I know the white glove drill!" and proceeded to pull out a set of "white" gloves that looked like they had been doing duty as he handkerchief during allergy season.

She was nice about letting him know that the archive requires (and supplies) Nitrile gloves for such things.
 
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