Any homemade spray lubricants?

[stchman]

I currently use Rem Oil is a spray for for lube.

Being that most gun oils are basically thin mineral type oils, are there any homemade recipes for gun lube for a spray bottle?

Thanks.

 

[FL-NC]

Save that rem-oil for squeaky door hinges. If you want great lubes for your guns that are cheap, go to Auto Zone and buy 2 things:

1. Generic lightweight motor oil- use this for exterior metal surfaces. Get you a small paint brush, put a little of that oil on it, and paint the metal on the gun.

2. White lithium grease , <$2 a tube. Apply this with a q tip sparingly to the internal working parts, BCG of our AR, etc. Unlike a liquid, it won't evaporate or get slung out of the gun on the first shot. When you go to clean the crud out of your gun after the range, the grease will wipe right out along with most of the crud.
-As for a CLEANING SOLVENT, I prefer Mpro-7 and Hoppes, whichever I can cheaper by the gallon.
- in all seriousness, those spray cans of rem-oil I only use after a day hunting to spray down my gun before I put it in a case, esp. if I know I won't get to actually cleaning it for "a day or 2".

 

[orionengnr]

I use Ed's Red (full recipe) as a CLP, and occasionally use Ed's Red lube (1 part ATF, 1 part diesel fuel or kerosene) in a spritzer bottle for a lubricant.

 

[stchman]

Save that rem-oil for squeaky door hinges. If you want great lubes for your guns that are cheap, go to Auto Zone and buy 2 things:

1. Generic lightweight motor oil- use this for exterior metal surfaces. Get you a small paint brush, put a little of that oil on it, and paint the metal on the gun.

2. White lithium grease , <$2 a tube. Apply this with a q tip sparingly to the internal working parts, BCG of our AR, etc. Unlike a liquid, it won't evaporate or get slung out of the gun on the first shot. When you go to clean the crud out of your gun after the range, the grease will wipe right out along with most of the crud.
-As for a CLEANING SOLVENT, I prefer Mpro-7 and Hoppes, whichever I can cheaper by the gallon.
- in all seriousness, those spray cans of rem-oil I only use after a day hunting to spray down my gun before I put it in a case, esp. if I know I won't get to actually cleaning it for "a day or 2".

I've been using Rem Oil for years and it does the job really good. Most people bash Rem Oil "just cause" they heard someone else bashing it. I am just curious if there are homemade lubes that can be made for pennies using simple household ingredients. I personally think gun oils might be the most overpriced thing ever, $4 for an ounce is absurd.

I currently use 5W-30 oil for the barrels and slides. I would use motor oil except that it too thick to be used in an aerosol form.

 

[230RN]

Sewing machine oil is pretty thin, probably sprayable. I use it for lubing my electric razors. Costs way less than the branded 'lectric razor lube and is the same consistency. Must be 2W3 weight. <grin>

 

[buckhorn_cortez]

Most people bash Rem Oil "just cause" they heard someone else bashing it.

Rem Oil has Teflon in it (PTFE). Depending upon the gun, and which parts of the gun you apply he Rem Oil onto, the PTFE may cook onto the gun. PTFE melts at 620F. It can form a gummy film, or even a hard carbonized film depending upon the heat and how long it was exposed to the heat.

As an example, in the Owner's Manual for my FN SLP, the manufacturer specifically states not to use lubricants containing PTFE because it may cause the gun to malfunction. Specifically, they're talking about the gas piston system where the hot gasses could cause the PTFE to melt and gum up the piston.

I have tried Rem Oil and don't particularly like it for a number of reasons - the PTFE content being one of them.

 

[Elkins45]

You can hardly beat good ol' ATF as a cleaner and lube.

 

[Arizona_Mike]

Rem Oil has Teflon in it (PTFE). Depending upon the gun, and which parts of the gun you apply he Rem Oil onto, the PTFE may cook onto the gun. PTFE melts at 620F. It can form a gummy film, or even a hard carbonized film depending upon the heat and how long it was exposed to the heat.

As an example, in the Owner's Manual for my FN SLP, the manufacturer specifically states not to use lubricants containing PTFE because it may cause the gun to malfunction. Specifically, they're talking about the gas piston system where the hot gasses could cause the PTFE to melt and gum up the piston.

I have tried Rem Oil and don't particularly like it for a number of reasons - the PTFE content being one of them.

I would not make a general statement about PTFE for guns because it is not supposed to be used on a gas piston! I'm not aware of any lube that works on gas pistons. Most people do not lubricate theirs with anything!

Mike

 

[tactikel]

I too like Rem Oil. Great lube, won't gum, easy to find. Price is reasonable.
Next is CLP, I use it on all metal parts.

 

[Hummer70]

I am with Orionengnr. Ed's Red , Mercon Dexron 2 qts, K1 or Off Road Diesel 2 qts and paint thinner or mineral spirits 2 qts. Put it in spray bottles.

 

[buckhorn_cortez]

I would not make a general statement about PTFE for guns because it is not supposed to be used on a gas piston! I'm not aware of any lube that works on gas pistons. Most people do not lubricate theirs with anything!

Okay - I also don't like Rem Oil because it's thin, doesn't stay on the rails of semi-autos as well as any number of other gun oils or synthetic motor oils.

However, there are parts of other guns that get hot enough to cause Rem Oil to get gummy. Bolts on AR's - which do need to be lubricated - are just another example. The problem with PTFE is you don't know where it shouldn't be until it's cooked onto the surface - then it's a PITA to get it cleaned off.

Really - there are FAR better lubricating products than Rem Oil.

If you like it fine, then use it - just don't expect everyone else to fall all over themselves agreeing that it's the world's finest lubricating oil - it's not.

Spray Rem Oil versus something like QMAXX Black Gun Oil? No contest - the Black Gun Oil is far better for use on an AR and any other gun.

 

[Speedo66]

I like anti-seize compound for moving parts and rails. It's what my Glock came from the factory with. Little tough to spray though. LOL

The home made Ed's Red formula has had good results over time, and can be sprayed.

As far as commercial spray rust protection, I'm finding Eezox works well. Here's a link to a multiple product test. http://www.thegunzone.com/rust.html

 

[stchman]

I may give the Ed's Red Lube formula a try. I have ATF in the garage so all I need is some kerosene.

 

[FL-NC]

Yes, it would be nice if motor oil would go through a spray/squirt bottle- that's why I pour it in a baby food jar and I just dip a paint brush in it and "paint" it on the external metal surfaces. It also makes it go a LONG way.

 

[Timtoolman]

Try marvels mystery oil , it's a light mineral oil with a good smell, find it in the automotive sections. Dyed red it will work well in a spray bottle. I've used on my guns , truck , Harley

 

[joem1945]

I make Ed's Red with diesel fuel, ATF, Koil and Hoppies # 9. Equal parts.

 

[Elkins45]

It's hard to find a bad lubricant these days. Almost every lubricating oil on the shelves is good enough for 90%+ of gun uses. Firearms just don't place all that much of a demand on lubricants as compare to engines and transmissions.

If I were forced to only use one single product for everything I would choose automatic transmission fluid. There's a lot of engineering in that bottle.

 

[ChairborneRanger]

Light-weight Mobil1 thinned with a little bit of lacquer thinner works well for me.

For general firearm cleaning, I like straight Xylene from the hardware store. For carbon and metal deposits, the "old formula" GM Top Engine Cleaner is hard to beat----for heavy copper deposits, Sweet's 7.62

 

[Silver Streak]

I don't know about home made...but I have always used Ballistol for CLP and Lubriplate for grease with great success.

Good Luck!

 

[stchman]

I have been reading that ATF and kerosene (1:1 mix) make a good spray lube.

 

[Swing]

I don't know about home made...but I have always used Ballistol for CLP

Ballistol is good stuff. Cheap, effective, and has a pleasant (for some) scent. Good enough.

 

[stchman]

Ballistol is good stuff. Cheap, effective, and has a pleasant (for some) scent. Good enough.

I guess we have different definitions of what is "cheap".

Ballistol is ~$11 for a 6oz spray can while a 10oz spray can of Rem Oil is ~$7.

 

[Bang!]

Try this link. It has few homemade concoctions.

http://www.frfrogspad.com/homemade.htm

 

[Swing]

I guess we have different definitions of what is "cheap".

Guess so.

Ballistol is ~$11 for a 6oz spray can

I've bought it for $8.99 per 6oz spray can in recent memory.

 

[stchman]

I found a 16 oz bottle of Ballistol for $17.49 online. I am going to give it a try. It is a on-aerosol bottle and I can use an empty spray bottle.