CajunBass
Member
Well, yes. I did. If I'm wrong, please, elaborate.
best gun oil 1968
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Well, yes. I did. If I'm wrong, please, elaborate.
GBExpat
Member
They are examples of WD-40 not being a long-term storage corrosion prevention product. Simply the wrong product for the purpose, not a "failure" of that product.
In my case, I have no doubt that my Dad had no intention of leaving his pistol in that case for years ... he just moved on with other things in his life and the pistol ended-up forgotten. If he had been planning for long-term storage he would have, surely, given it a coat of RIG (he liked RIG, I still have one of the little tubes that he bought it the late '60s).
Quite frankly, I don't think he was worried about it that much because all of the anti-corrosion hype surrounding the silicone-impregnated rug pistol cases. The marketing copy made it sound like you could clean you gun, zip it up in the case and it would be protected for-ev-er from corrosion.
Steel Horse Rider
Member
WD-40 was and is a solvent, penetrant, and lubricant combined. Will it lubricate? Yes. Will it remove old oil, grease, and moisture? Yes. It is also an excellent solvent for cosmoline. Do I use it as a lubricant? No, because there are a lot of other products on the market which will do a much better job. WD-40 was invented to use as a solvent to remove moisture from electrical components and other parts, a function in which it still excels. If you are really interested in what remains of WD-40 after the solvent evaporates just spray some in an open container and let it set until all the solvent evaporates hen you may judge for yourselves.
CajunBass
Member
Ok, thanks GB. Got it now. 'Preciate the explanation. I did totally misread it. I was reading them as saying the WD caused the problem.
I know about the silicone wool gun cases. A female co-worker asked me to look at her dad's old shotgun. It had been in a wool case for who knows how long. A beautiful Ithaca double was pretty much a piece of rust.
I know about the silicone wool gun cases. A female co-worker asked me to look at her dad's old shotgun. It had been in a wool case for who knows how long. A beautiful Ithaca double was pretty much a piece of rust.
WD-40 is shown in testing to prevent rust well. I guess because it is a water displacement? Dunno, but in testing it does very well.
There are better products to penetrate rust and tightly fit parts, as well as better lubricants out there.
I have never had it gum up anything, but the lubricating affect doesn't last nearly as long as a good oil in things like hinges and lock tumblers.
But some folks love it and will never part with it.
There are better products to penetrate rust and tightly fit parts, as well as better lubricants out there.
I have never had it gum up anything, but the lubricating affect doesn't last nearly as long as a good oil in things like hinges and lock tumblers.
But some folks love it and will never part with it.
Sistema1927
Member
bluetopper
Member
In locks and guns WD-40 does fine if the device is used occasionally. The problem with WD-40 is that yes it gums up if the device is left untouched for years. I've seen revolver cylinders unable to be opened because of the long term storage with a saturation of WD-40. A solvent and mallet had to be used to open them.
Since posting this I have been looking into wd40 a little more. I did not know they offered a lithium based spray, long term corrosion inhibitor, dry lube and countless other products. May be fate but on a rerun of American Pickers Frank bought some old Rocket Chemical Co cans. I may have to try the dry lube or the gel.
spazzymcgee
Member
WD-40 does form a varnish if left for too long. Those that deny that obviously have never cleaned a gun that had WD-40 sitting in its works for 20 years. That said, lots of water displacers and lubricants would probably do that.
X-Rap
Member
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These long term storage stories fascinate me. How on earth do some folks know exactly what uncle Frank lubed his pristine Walker Colt with but then let it set in a drawer for decades without any attention???
I couldn't in all honesty tell you what my own kids or father used on their guns last let alone a gun or mechanism that has set for years.
But then all the cool guys were using Mobile 1 Syn back in the 60's right?
I couldn't in all honesty tell you what my own kids or father used on their guns last let alone a gun or mechanism that has set for years.
But then all the cool guys were using Mobile 1 Syn back in the 60's right?
spazzymcgee
Member
In my case, I asked the guy. "What did you lube this thing with?" He proudly replied that he's only ever used WD-40. It smelled like WD-40 anyway, so I figured that was it. No clue how long it was sitting, but it was difficult to get out of a Smith revolver.
yeah.....any oil that sits for 20 years will congeal and form varnish......that is nothing specific to WD 40......
again, thats not a problem with WD40......thats a problem with the owner neglecting their equipment...
there is nothing wrong with WD40 if you properly care and maintain your equipment.
BSA1
member
We used WD-40 in the 1970's mainly because we did not know better. Cop guns take beating being outdoors, cold weather, then warm cars and rooms.
Then in the late 1970's a Illinois law enforcement agency had three of it officers duty revolvers fail to fire when they needed it the most. They determined the cause to be WD-40 along with cold weather gumming up the action enough to cause ftf. They put out a warning about it and it was enough reason for me quit using it.
One old product though that I still use is G-96. It is much superior to WD-40 although it does have a powerful smell.
Then in the late 1970's a Illinois law enforcement agency had three of it officers duty revolvers fail to fire when they needed it the most. They determined the cause to be WD-40 along with cold weather gumming up the action enough to cause ftf. They put out a warning about it and it was enough reason for me quit using it.
One old product though that I still use is G-96. It is much superior to WD-40 although it does have a powerful smell.
Elkins45
Member
He didn't think he had neglected it. He thought he had sprayed it with a protective chemical that would prevent rusting.
He was wrong.
GunnyUSMC
Member
If I remember right this tpoic was about a 48 year old add. But it seems like it gone off into how good or not WD40 is.
If you would like to start your own tpoic about cool old adds, I have a bunch of American Rifle Magazines from the 60s. Some are in pretty good shape. If you would like one or two of them, cover the shipping and I'll send you some.
Just think, you can post a cool old add like in this topic and read all the funny replies.
If you would like to start your own tpoic about cool old adds, I have a bunch of American Rifle Magazines from the 60s. Some are in pretty good shape. If you would like one or two of them, cover the shipping and I'll send you some.
Just think, you can post a cool old add like in this topic and read all the funny replies.
victim of its own hype
Back in the 60's, everything was best, perfect and unparalleled. And we were going to save the world. Those who survived are a little wiser now!
I use WD-40 by the gallon, but there is no single solution to the needs of gun owners, any more than there is a perfect oil for all vehicles or a single caliber for all big game hunting. In my experience, WD-40 is a handy solvent, helps to slick things up, and is great for hosing down washed shovels and tools.
I have seen grease and oil of every description gum up and dry out. Then it's time for a shot of solvent, fresh lube, and regular use.
Maintenance-free was always wishful thinking and ad-speak. Just like the machinery in the garage, it's better to use, clean, maintain, and repeat. That applies to my 64 year old carcass as well.
Back in the 60's, everything was best, perfect and unparalleled. And we were going to save the world. Those who survived are a little wiser now!
I use WD-40 by the gallon, but there is no single solution to the needs of gun owners, any more than there is a perfect oil for all vehicles or a single caliber for all big game hunting. In my experience, WD-40 is a handy solvent, helps to slick things up, and is great for hosing down washed shovels and tools.
I have seen grease and oil of every description gum up and dry out. Then it's time for a shot of solvent, fresh lube, and regular use.
Maintenance-free was always wishful thinking and ad-speak. Just like the machinery in the garage, it's better to use, clean, maintain, and repeat. That applies to my 64 year old carcass as well.
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