WD-40 for rust prevention?

Justin · October 1st, 2005, 07:11 AM

Hey guys, and ladies.

I usually use Tuf-Cloth to keep my guns/knives form rusting. But, most of the stores seem to be ou tof both Tuf-Cloth and Tuf-Glide. So, would WD-40 be a good rust inhibitor? I have never used anything but Tuf-Cloth so I have no idea of the capabilities of WD40. My guns aren't going ot be out in the field getting muddy or underwater or anything like that, so I was just thinking about spraying WD-40 on my old Tuf-Cloth and just using that from now on. Your thoughts?

buzzg · October 1st, 2005, 07:49 AM

WD-40 is a good rust preventive agent. So is Cosmoline, which generally requires that you boil the part to remove it. Lubricants like WD-40, 3 in 1 oil, etc. contain petroleum distillates which evaporate over time leaving behind the solids, GUNK. I wouldn't recommend WD-40 as a general lubricant for a firearm because of this property. It's probably OK for storage.

QKShooter · October 1st, 2005, 09:54 AM

I would use Break~Free or FP-10 & apply that...let it stay on your firearm for about an hour then wipe it all off with a clean cloth.
That seems to work very well as a general rust preventative.

Tangle · October 1st, 2005, 01:05 PM

Doesn't WD-40 turn into a grease when the carrier evaporates?

F350 · October 1st, 2005, 01:12 PM

My favorite rust preventer is RIG, put a dab on a RIG RAG (an oval patch of lamb’s wool) and apply a thin film. Rig is somewhat like cosmoline, but with the RIG RAG you can apply a super thin coat and it is not messy at all. I always use RIG when the gun is going in the safe and not going to be used for a while and put on a little heaver coating.

One more thing to keep in mind with WD-40, it WILL penetrate a primer and kill it; I use WD-40 in the detached garage on the tractor and other equipment, but it never comes into the house. There are cases of LEOs dieing due to using WD-40 on duty weapons (spraying loaded revolver with WD-40 after a rainy night etc) and it causing ammo failures.

Another product I like and use on my CCW guns is Hornady "One Shot", it is an aerosol cleaner that leaves a dry lubricant film when it dries. Be careful because Honaday also makes an aerosol case lube for reloading that they also called “One Shot”, the gun cleaner/lube sitting here in front of me is in a black can, the case lube is in a red can. I like it because it lubricates without the oil film that picks up and holds dirt and stains clothing. Take the gun apart; spray it down, let it dry, wipe exterior with a clean cloth and you are ready to go, One Shot is the only thing I use on my CCW guns.

rocky · October 2nd, 2005, 04:03 PM

for wet guns I like WD40 to remove all the water, but then treat em with a gun oil. WD 40 seems to attract too much dirt for me.

ExSoldier · October 2nd, 2005, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F350

One more thing to keep in mind with WD-40, it WILL penetrate a primer and kill it; I use WD-40 in the detached garage on the tractor and other equipment, but it never comes into the house. There are cases of LEOs dieing due to using WD-40 on duty weapons (spraying loaded revolver with WD-40 after a rainy night etc) and it causing ammo failures.

Yup, it IS a penetrant and will definitely KILL primers. For long term storage I prefer BLUE BAGS which are for firearms and give off a chemical that preserves and protects the metal. Other wise I use a dusting of Rust Prevent. I forget who makes it.

P95Carry · October 2nd, 2005, 06:22 PM

WD can do OK as a preservative but IMO a lube it most certainly ain't! Keep out of gun's internals at all costs.

I second RIG as excellent but I also wipe down blued guns with an old cloth which is heavily impregnated with CLP - works a treat.

Also 'Boeshield' is worth considering for long term protection - it is similar to using a car wax but IMO better.

BlueLion · October 2nd, 2005, 07:12 PM

No, worst stuff in the world you can put on anything you want not to rust.....

Bud White · October 2nd, 2005, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueLion

No, worst stuff in the world you can put on anything you want not to rust.....

Your right on that one ive seen more rusted guns becuse people coated them with just WD-40

October 1st, 2005, 07:11 AM	#1
Justin Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Western PA Posts: 289	WD-40 for rust prevention? Hey guys, and ladies. I usually use Tuf-Cloth to keep my guns/knives form rusting. But, most of the stores seem to be ou tof both Tuf-Cloth and Tuf-Glide. So, would WD-40 be a good rust inhibitor? I have never used anything but Tuf-Cloth so I have no idea of the capabilities of WD40. My guns aren't going ot be out in the field getting muddy or underwater or anything like that, so I was just thinking about spraying WD-40 on my old Tuf-Cloth and just using that from now on. Your thoughts? __________________ - Justin Do No Harm. Do Know Harm. + Vita Quod Nex + God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot shoot, courage to shoot the people I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

October 1st, 2005, 09:54 AM	#3
QKShooter Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Runthegun, USA Posts: 18,760	Suggestion I would use Break~Free or FP-10 & apply that...let it stay on your firearm for about an hour then wipe it all off with a clean cloth. That seems to work very well as a general rust preventative.

October 1st, 2005, 01:12 PM	#5
F350 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Columbia, MO area Posts: 520	My favorite rust preventer is RIG, put a dab on a RIG RAG (an oval patch of lamb’s wool) and apply a thin film. Rig is somewhat like cosmoline, but with the RIG RAG you can apply a super thin coat and it is not messy at all. I always use RIG when the gun is going in the safe and not going to be used for a while and put on a little heaver coating. One more thing to keep in mind with WD-40, it WILL penetrate a primer and kill it; I use WD-40 in the detached garage on the tractor and other equipment, but it never comes into the house. There are cases of LEOs dieing due to using WD-40 on duty weapons (spraying loaded revolver with WD-40 after a rainy night etc) and it causing ammo failures. Another product I like and use on my CCW guns is Hornady "One Shot", it is an aerosol cleaner that leaves a dry lubricant film when it dries. Be careful because Honaday also makes an aerosol case lube for reloading that they also called “One Shot”, the gun cleaner/lube sitting here in front of me is in a black can, the case lube is in a red can. I like it because it lubricates without the oil film that picks up and holds dirt and stains clothing. Take the gun apart; spray it down, let it dry, wipe exterior with a clean cloth and you are ready to go, One Shot is the only thing I use on my CCW guns. Last edited by F350; October 1st, 2005 at 01:32 PM.

October 2nd, 2005, 06:22 PM	#8
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,339	WD can do OK as a preservative but IMO a lube it most certainly ain't! Keep out of gun's internals at all costs. I second RIG as excellent but I also wipe down blued guns with an old cloth which is heavily impregnated with CLP - works a treat. Also 'Boeshield' is worth considering for long term protection - it is similar to using a car wax but IMO better. __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

October 2nd, 2005, 07:12 PM	#9
BlueLion Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: It Changes... Posts: 823	No, worst stuff in the world you can put on anything you want not to rust..... __________________ Listen, Think and React.....Nuff Said.....

October 1st, 2005, 07:49 AM	#2
buzzg Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 132	WD-40 is a good rust preventive agent. So is Cosmoline, which generally requires that you boil the part to remove it. Lubricants like WD-40, 3 in 1 oil, etc. contain petroleum distillates which evaporate over time leaving behind the solids, GUNK. I wouldn't recommend WD-40 as a general lubricant for a firearm because of this property. It's probably OK for storage.

October 1st, 2005, 01:05 PM	#4
Tangle Senior Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chattanooga Posts: 5,245	Doesn't WD-40 turn into a grease when the carrier evaporates?

October 2nd, 2005, 04:03 PM	#6
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 11,133	for wet guns I like WD40 to remove all the water, but then treat em with a gun oil. WD 40 seems to attract too much dirt for me.

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