Mold forming on guns in safe.

[TrickyDick]

So as the title says, a couple guns in my safe will form light mold on the wooden stocks and leather slings. It's a cheap stack on safe in my basement, so it's really no wonder it's happening.

I'm looking into buying the small rechargeable dehumidifier to go inside it, as well as an ultraviolet germicidal light. The light claims to kill 99.9% of germs and mold.

So the plan was to line the inside of the safe with aluminum foil (reflective material) and install the light and dehumidifier. I figured I'd set the light on a timer, and have it turn on for an hour every day just to keep the mold at bay should the dehumidifier not do such a great job.

Any thoughts or experiences on this?

 

[ironworkerwill]

I like dehumidification. Idk about the UV thing as it may bleach out some wood.

 

[barnbwt]

With mold, I'd bet the bigger issue is actually temperature (and humidity kind of goes along with that). In the presence of UV, you'll just get moss instead of mold, lol (and it'll attack the steel along with the wood)

 

[RPZ]

Once mold/mildew has gotten into leather it is hard to get rid of. Vinegar/peroxide works for me, thorough drying then waxing. Hard to believe it would grow on finished wood, unless the finish has been worn off. I'd try vinegar and peroxide, then wax to protect.

Then dehumidify. Heat could work, but it may go towards drying out your wood to the point of cracking and splitting.

 

[Hanzo581]

Assuming your basement is very humid I'd just pop the dehumidifier in there and try to get a rubber seal for the gap in the door.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Mold grows above 60% humidity. I would address that since it will also rust the guns soon. The rechargeble ones will likely never be able to keep up with the humidity. A dry rod may do it, or better yet both of them UV is bad on many things and I don't think I would do that, removing the humidity is key.

 

[entropy]

My basement flooded a few years ago, and once it was cleaned up, I opened up my safe and had some mold on wood and leather. I cleaned off anything I could, had to toss a few leather items, and oiled up everything well. Fortunately, I had very little rust form and the water didn't get up to the height of the safes. (They were on brick to keep them off the ground.) The stock that grew mold were milsurps with BLO, I wiped it off with rags. I figure those rifles have been through a lot worse.......

 

[armarsh]

Clear athletes foot spray works wonders on moldy leather and fabric items.

 

[armoredman]

I would never, ever have thought to use athletes foot products on moldy leather.

 

[TrickyDick]

My basement flooded a few years ago, and once it was cleaned up, I opened up my safe and had some mold on wood and leather. I cleaned off anything I could, had to toss a few leather items, and oiled up everything well. Fortunately, I had very little rust form and the water didn't get up to the height of the safes. (They were on brick to keep them off the ground.) The stock that grew mold were milsurps with BLO, I wiped it off with rags. I figure those rifles have been through a lot worse.......

This is basically what's happening. I just wipe it off. There's really no rust. And it happens over a period of months.

 

[herrwalther]

Forget about the UV light. Those need to be rather close to where the mold is growing in order to work, if it even does. Your best bet is to get your safe to a dry and comfortable level for your firearms. My safes stay at about 40% humidity at room temperature. That prevents rust and mold from forming. At 60% RH you will need more than one method to get it under control. I recommend a Goldenrod or equivalent knock off as well as large silica packs.

 

[Sunray]

Any 25 watt light bulb left on inside will warm the safe enough to prevent condensation. No moisture means no mold. A 25 watt bulb doesn't cost a big pile of money to operate either.
Stack-on safes are more steel boxes and aren't air tight, as I recall.

 

[loose noose]

That is exactly what I was going to recommend a 25 watt incandescent light bulb.

 

[KYamateur]

You need to address the humidity as mentioned above. A dehumidifier in the room, goldenrod, light bulb or several dessicants recharged regularly will do it. Mold will no longer grow. You can just wipe it off the wood and leather and it won't come back unless humidity becomes a problem. If it has left stains use mix of 1 to 1 white vinegar and store bought peroxide (poor mans paracetic acid) and let it penetrate for a minute then wipe it off and use something to recondition the materials if it dries them out, it will penetrate and actually kill the spores. If it is not stained I wouldn't worry about killing spores. They are already everywhere in the world around us and only become a problem when humidity and temperature is right. Don't let the solution get on the metal. It shouldn't hurt it at the mildness of store bought vinegar and peroxide but it can't be good for it. I have been using the peroxide and vinegar for years as anti mold and mildew and It does better than bleach. I just mix them before I use them. I don't know how long it would remain potent if stored mixed together. I'm not that smart but a chemist told me about the vinegar and peroxide.

 

[Zebraranger]

I agree, depending on the size of your basement, I would consider a room dehumidifier.