Ammo Can Gaskets & Oil

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Captains1911

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This may not be the best place for this, if not my apologies. Anyway, I store all my ammo in ammo cans. When I first started doing this, I would apply some Breakfree CLP to the rubber (neoprene?) seal gaskets with a q-tip, because I once read somewhere that this could help increase their longevity. Now I'm reading that I may have done more harm than good as petroleum based oils can breakdown rubber. Great...I have probably done this to 15-20 cans, and although I haven't noticed any deterioration, I really haven't been looking that closely. Although, applying the Breakfree to the seals turns the q-tip black:banghead: Am I over stressing? I really don't want to have to replace $200 worth of cans, but I will if that's what I need to do to ensure they have good seals.
 
IDE switch to using air tool oil, it's designed to be used with orings so it shouldn't harm the gaskets...

Clp is very mild, do its unlikely you've done serious damage to the cans
 
Oil ammo can gaskets? For real??:confused: I have literally dozens of them chock full of ammo and some are pretty old. Mine seal just fine just the way they are. You have too much time on your hands. Go rake your yard.
 
clamman said:
Oil ammo can gaskets? For real??:confused: I have literally dozens of them chock full of ammo and some are pretty old. Mine seal just fine just the way they are. You have too much time on your hands. Go rake your yard.
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Well, considering it took all of about 10 seconds to apply the CLP when I bought the cans, it really isn't an issue of time. If it helps protect the seal, it's time well spent IMO. However, my concern is the oil on the rubber, not the time it took me to apply it years ago.
 
Try using silicon or even easier vaseline. Both will keep the gaskets pliable, make them last longer and easier to open. Personally, I just dip my finger in the vaseline jar and run it along the gasket. Do it maybe once a year unless you live in the desert then maybe twice a year. Probably overkill but hey it doesn't take long.

Just my two pennies.
 
Silicone spray.

Same stuff an auto technician uses on the door & window seals in your new car.

rc
 
I'd say silicone oil, di-electric grease or Vaseline or even something like armorall. Or just leave it alone. A lot of solvent type or even regular oils are pretty bad on rubber/things like rubber.
 
Vaseline is a purish form of petroleum jelly & CAN attack rubber.
It's specifically dis-recommended for the O-ring seals in my well filter cannister, among other places.
I wouldn't apply it on other rubber products.
Denis
 
I used to have some pure silicone that I used for rubber stuff but over the years discovered that something like ArmorAll works just as well. Turtle Wax markets a similar product but I can't recall the name of it. They are both safe for rubber and I've been using them for years on stuff like the soft rubber door seals on my truck and just about anything rubber and the stuff works great. There's no dried out or cracked rubber around here so I've become a believer.
 
For what its worth, Armor-All is not a good thing to use either. It is known in the auto detailing world that Armor-All is some of the worst stuff you can use on rubber. It actually accelerates wear. I will spare you all of the technical details but I am sure you can google it.
 
Petroleum jelly, I even use it on my car door gaskets so they don`t freeze shut in the winter.................That or silicone grease.
 
yep they are toast.:what:

send em to me for disposal.:D

I have and fire ammo that my grandpa bought and stored in the cubbard in the milkhouse on our farm.

I'm 50 so its well over that and fires fine.

The boxes were totally disinagrated and the ammo was dirty so I tossed em in the tumbler and they look and fire like new.
 
Get some Sil-Glyde - silicone grease, old napa number was 765-1351. It is not petroleum based-won't wreck primers. Work some into a soft rag, rub your gun with it, no more rust. It won't attack the rubber gaskets either. Great stuff for lots of different applications.
I would imagine that the government would spec good rubber. My .02, JT
 
I am pretty sure that the gasket used on GI ammo boxes is neoprene, not rubber, and should be impervious to almost any solvent or lube you have in your shop. You really don't need to put anything on the gaskets. The only time I have seen any damage to an ammo box gasket is when the manufacturer did not allow the paint to cure before closing the lid. The paint sticks to the gasket better than it does to the metal.
 
Use Dow Corning Di-electric grease. Instrument techs in power plants been using that stuff for years.

Idoono
 
Silicone oil or grease. VERY light application. Good for many years stored in a controlled environment with desiccant packs inside. Works for me. I use it on my steel (Mil) and plastic (MTM and Cabela) can rubber/neoprene seals.
 
Good someone asked this - I read several times "use Vaseline"...luckily haven't done it yet...guess it's going to be Silicone grease now.
 
Oh, kind of like smearing shinola all over your tires and dashboard and seats?:rolleyes:
 
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