An odd film on guns?

1. What kind of dehumidifier?
2. What kind of petroleum based lubricant?

If his safe is lined with gypsum (ie sheetrock) as fireproofing it may be the cause of the white dust.

He needs VCI bags.

Ok, from the thread title I was expecting a Tarantino movie reference . . . []

Now, most of the "goldenrod" type dehumidifiers work by just warming the air within the safe to some level higher than the dewpoint. The problem being that dewpoint temperatures are willy things, very much related to what the local general (not relative) humidity.

Where I used to live, in Brazos County was at the intersection of two rivers, the general humidity of that place was about 30% greater than up here on the prairie DFW sits upon along with being another 300' above MSL).

Which is why @dogtown tom 's questions are so on point. There are all sorts of additives in "gun" oils, which act differently based on temperature, humidity, and the like. The presence of unpainted drywall is also a significant issue.

Now, that latter can be solved with a couple of coats of latex paint, as that material is water vapor impermeable which is an issue in building science).

But, for 2¢ the issue is probably the air compressor. It needs intake air to keep the tank filled. The compressor also heats to a significant degree. And, there's oil involved with compressors, which gets atomized to some extent while in use.

Sniper66 said:

What's a VCI bag?

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They are poly bags that act as long term corrosion inhibitors.

https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-...-bags/vacuum-seal-storage-bags-prod42749.aspx

CapnMac said:

….. The presence of unpainted drywall is also a significant issue. Now, that latter can be solved with a couple of coats of latex paint, as that material is water vapor impermeable which is an issue in building science)..

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i'm not sure what that has to do with the safe.

Sniper66 said:

Hmmm...It is a Goldenrod dehumidifier

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Good. To many people use the little disposable moisture absorbers that don't really do much.

and it is a finished safe with carpeted walls and no sheet rock.

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How do you know? Gypsum board (sheetrock) is a cheap fire insulator for many safes. It would be covered with carpet, laminate, or sandwiched between layers of steel. It is less than ideal because it breaks , crumbles and when heated steams up the interior of the safe....rusting the contents. The only way to know if its sheetrock is to check with the safe manufacturer or pull up a bit of the carpet.

What's a VCI bag?

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Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor. You can buy bags or vapor capsule emitters. Put each gun in a bag or drop a couple of capsules in the safe.

Don't buy the ones at Brownells, they are ridiculously expensive. Protecht No Rust Bags are way cheaper http://norustbags.net/index.html

Family used to have white mold growing on old oiled up rifles (on the wood and blued steel) that were in a haggard gun cabinet in a moist basement.

Even being oiled every year, it grew. Easy to wipe off, though

dogtown tom said:

i'm not sure what that has to do with the safe.

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Many such separate rooms in garages are not painted, but just are in Tape, Bed, & Float, where the seam edges are closed with drywall compound and sanded (roughly) smooth.

The unpainted gypsum will absorb, and re-emit, watervapor within the room.

So, the walls of the compressor room could very well be a moisture trap, a sponge of sorts, and running the compressor would keep changing the temperature in that space. With the safe a large metal heat sink.

Coat of vapor-sealing paint would change the "drive" of water vapor to the unpainted side of the wall board/

Sounds like mildew. Even with a goldenrod if conditions are right it will grow. Especially if you have a old milsurp gun or sling that has the spores..

I have one safe here that was good for years---no problems. Then I put in a revolver that was in an old leather holster. It had powdery mildew on it but I cleaned it well and looked OK a couple months later so I put it and the revolver in the safe. Four months later I got back into the safe and everything was covered with powdery mildew. I cleaned and disinfected with Lysol. So far so good. The safe is in the main part of a heated house.

Yeah. Dark enclosed area with no air circulation is perfect for white mildew. It pops up here and there in safes with old guns that have the spores. Take them out, wipe them down and allow fresh dry air into the safe, cabinet or area. Don't let it go a long time as it can effect wood finishes and surfaces. Don't breth it, lick your finger or wipe your eyes. Use latex/nitrile gloves when handling and toss all gloves/rags.

Was checking on my guns and equipment in the basement and found some small spots of mildew on one of the range bags. Didn't find it anywhere else, just the one bag which was kept in a plastic storage tote. Have no idea why it's on that bag when there are others stored nearby under the exact same conditions.

Spray everything liberally with a thick film of Lysol spray and that will kill the mildew. You have to soak things like leather and fabric though to kill it all.

I used to have the mildew situation on leather slings. I had read about vinegar treating the slings to kill the mildew. It worked, but only for a limited time. Then I discovered Ballistol. Since using that I have not had any mildew problems.

Clear athletes foot spray (not the powder type!) is the best thing I have found for getting rid of mold in old leather holsters.