long life lubricants

[Slamfire]

I have a few questions about lubricants. Which lubricants have the longest shelf/storage life? How should I store them to get the longest life out of them.

One year at Camp Perry, I was squadded with a PhD who was a Dupont Tribology expert.

He told me that the primary degradation process for oils and greases is oxidation.

Based on that tiny bit of information, keep the lubricant away from air, and it should last a long time.


So, put the lid on the can and the bottle.

 

[jcwit]

I've never noticed an experation date on a bottle of oil, course I never looked till now and still see none. Even my old, old, cans of sperm oil from Brownells have no experation date.

 

[Joe Demko]

Ballistol lasts a very long time. From their website:

In 1985 a bottle with BALLISTOL was found in an attic
where it had been left for over 60 years. The oil had not
hardened and the chemical analysis revealed that it
still had the same degree of purity as freshly produced
BALLISTOL. The oil had become a little darker but not
even the slightest trace of resinification could be
discovered.
After WW2 the Klever Company conducted a long
term test with BALLISTOL. Several rifles and
shotguns were treated with BALLISTOL, wrapped in
wax impregnated paper and stored in a trunk. All this
was done under the supervision of a sworn expert for
firearms and explosives. After 25 years the same
expert opened the packages and inspected the
firearms. All weapons had remained completely rust
free on the inside and outside. No resinification of
BALLISTOL had occurred. After pulling a dry cotton
wad through the barrels several rounds were fired
from the weapons without malfunction.

 

[stonecutter2]

Cosmoline.

Kept the milsurp items I have in great shape all these years, so it must work pretty good.

http://www.cosmolinedirect.com/

 

[x_wrench]

i have never really thought about it, i use enough of all my lubes that none of it lasts for more than a few years. however, i am still using some lubriplate that my father bought in the sixties. as far as oil goes. if it is in a sealed container, i have no idea why it would go bad (petroleum anyways). i am certain that the additive package changes quite often, making old oils obsolete. but obsolete is a lot different than breaking down. if i found a case of valvoline from the 1930's, i sure would not throw it away. i probably would not use it in my new car, but i am sure it would work just fine in a lawnmower or something similar.

 

[CZguy]

I've never noticed an experation date on a bottle of oil, course I never looked till now and still see none. Even my old, old, cans of sperm oil from Brownells have no expiration date.

Military POLs have expiration dates.

but obsolete is a lot different than breaking down. if i found a case of valvoline from the 1930's, i sure would not throw it away.

That reminded me of eating a C ration in 1972 that was stamped Apr. 1945......so if you ask me things should have a shelf life.

 

[Readyrod]

I asked the question cause I've had containers of bicycle grease that seemed to stay good forever but others that separated into components after a year or two. I imagine that some components of oil or grease are volatile and others oxidize. I guess additives separate out as well. Now I have some good ideas about some brands. Any other comments or suggestions?

 

[jcwit]

OK, Talking grease, I've had this happen also having a light oil substance sitting on top of the thicker "grease?" I usually just tossed it and bought new, tried a couple of times to heat it up and mix it up to no avail. Thats why I tossed it.

Not any help here, but now know where your coming from.

 

[FuzzyBunny]

Long term?

Oil it all over with mineral oil and wrap in same oil soaked shop towel. Put in Foodsaver bag and vac pack the gun, rag and all.

 

[george d dennis]

rig

 

[KBintheSLC]

I might not last the longest, but for cost over it's useful shelf life, it's pretty hard to beat Mobile 1 axle grease and motor oil

Ditto... I have been using the stuff for a while and it works as great in guns as it does in cars. I can't imagine that it would go bad very quickly... even if it only lasts 5-10 years, another quart can be had for just a few dollars.