Best protectant?

[JRS]

But it's obvious the grey scale wasn't removed entirely, in fact the plates all look a dull grey overall to these aged eyes. Look at the plates in that other test, and read how he prepped them, and why.
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The mill scale was not removed at all. Those protectants are good for short term use. You would have to plate, paint or apply something that dries to a hard finish for long term use.

 

[Brians356]

Those random spots you see are areas sans the mill scale. Mill scale isn't a coating. It is the layer you'll find on all hot rolled steel due to the process.

Exactly, and you only reinforce my point. The inherent protective quality of the scale is random, it's not uniform and it can be breached by handling the plates.

The scale wasn't applied like a "coating" (e.g. paint) but it constitutes a coating nevertheless: It's not steel, it lies on the surface, and it can (and should) be removed.
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[Brians356]

The mill scale was not removed at all. Those protectants are good for short term use. You would have to plate, paint or apply something that dries to a hard finish for long term use.

That may well be true. But for the purpose of comparing different products in a controlled fashion, the scale should be removed completely to produce identical test plates of exposed steel.
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[jonbearman]

I use break free (clp) and have never had any rust whatsoever. Salt spray doesnt mean anything because our firearms are well protected in a house and not stored in a pond.

 

[JRS]

That may well be true. But for the purpose of comparing different products in a controlled fashion, the scale should be removed completely to produce identical test plates of exposed steel.
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The tests are actually of no use for the average gun owner. How often will one subject their guns to 70% humidity, 24-7, or salt spray 24-7, or saltwater 24-7? If your gun is wet, dry it off before putting it away. For long term protection, Renaissance Wax is a great product that doesn't have to be re-applied each week, and leaves a hard protective coating.

 

[saw-tooth-jimmy]

Why thank you sir. I learn something new everyday. I appreciate all my buddy’s knowledge that is why I originally asked what protectant you all thought was best.

 

[saw-tooth-jimmy]

The tests are actually of no use for the average gun owner. How often will one subject their guns to 70% humidity, 24-7, or salt spray 24-7, or saltwater 24-7? If your gun is wet, dry it off before putting it away. For long term protection, Renaissance Wax is a great product that doesn't have to be re-applied each week, and leaves a hard protective coating.

Well it is obvious I would not store a wet firearm back in my safe. Here in Arizona I run my cooler 24 seven from March till November the humidity is it about 50 to 70% inside my house all the time. I was just using salt water to accelerate the process. Firearms can “sweat” when kept In a gun case or something like that. So in defense of my test and others if the protectants can handle the extreme conditions they certainly can handle a normal storage situation.

 

[Brians356]

The tests are actually of no use for the average gun owner. How often will one subject their guns to 70% humidity, 24-7, or salt spray 24-7, or saltwater 24-7? If your gun is wet, dry it off before putting it away. For long term protection, Renaissance Wax is a great product that doesn't have to be re-applied each week, and leaves a hard protective coating.

How do you know Renaissance Wax is better than most other such products? Saying your own guns never rust is not an answer, they could remain rust-free with nothing applied at all in your circumstance. (I myself live in the dry desert, take no storage precautions whatever, and never have a problem. So whatever I might have used would have been proven to work great by that logic.)
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[Brians356]

Renaissance Wax is a great product that doesn't have to be re-applied each week, and leaves a hard protective coating.

I meant to ask, is that what you leave in the bore? That's the one place I'd really be concerned about rusting, and hardest to monitor.
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[msinc]

anybody tried RIG (rust inhibiting grease) I've had great luck with it, old school gunsmith told me about it and never looked back.

Yep, brother-in-law told me about RIG over 20 years ago....it has been my "standby" protection for storage ever since. There might be something better out there, but this stuff is doing the job.

 

[Brians356]

There might be something better out there, but this stuff is doing the job.

There probably is, as RIG scored among the worst rust protectants in the comprehensive test I cited.

I know I'll be thought a gadfly here, but how did you determine how much rust you'd have had without the RIG? I.e. where's your control data for comparison?

Put another way, "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence".
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[swd]

All I know is with RIG when I hunt in the rain the places I rubbed the RIG in and then wiped it off like wax don't rust and the places I miss rust by the end of the day. Not that I'm opposed to trying other things, it's just that it has worked well for me.

 

[Brians356]

All I know is with RIG when I hunt in the rain the places I rubbed the RIG in and then wiped it off like wax don't rust and the places I miss rust by the end of the day. Not that I'm opposed to trying other things, it's just that it has worked well for me.

Thanks, that's a significant observation. I've got some RIG grease, but, ironically, it says it's specifically for lubing stainless steel.

Incidentally, the stuff tested in the article one I referred to is listed as "RIG #2", so not sure what significance that has.
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[swd]

The RIG I've always used is plain ole' RIG. I've hunted Alaska and Washington in the rain with double rifles with bright finished crowns and they rust real fast if you miss a spot. All I do is wipe it on/in the metal real good then wipe it off hard like your trying to take it all off. You can't even get a streak of it when you rub you finger on the metal and it's always protected the metal very well. But after a few wet hunts with those kind of rifles you start to appreciate stainless/synthetic builds!

 

[msinc]

There probably is, as RIG scored among the worst rust protectants in the comprehensive test I cited.

I know I'll be thought a gadfly here, but how did you determine how much rust you'd have had without the RIG? I.e. where's your control data for comparison?

Put another way, "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence".
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"Control data for comparison"???? You are confused....where did you get that I was comparing it to anything??? Or that I was trying to gain "followers"???? If you choose a product from the "comprehensive test" you "cited" and are happy with it then good for you. Not sure what you are looking for me to do here...reconfigure my statement to help you feel better??? I use it, it works perfect for me, period end of story. If that doesn't set well with you or you need some kind of further "data" to support my use of my choice I really don't know what to tell you dude....get over it...or not.

 

[Brians356]

where did you get that I was comparing it to anything??? Or that I was trying to gain "followers"????

Huh? Moi? Where did I mention anything about "followers"? As someone mentioned to you elsewhere recently - "again with the exaggeration".

You weren't comparing RIG to anything, I was. Why? Because to know what is the best product (that is the subject of this thread, after all), you need to compare products, or seek out a published comprehensive test such as the one I pointed out.

Now, read what I just wrote very carefully, three times, before replying. Please.
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[msinc]

Huh? Moi? Where did I mention anything about "followers"? As someone mentioned to you elsewhere recently - "again with the exaggeration".

You weren't comparing RIG to anything, I was. Why? Because to know what is the best product (that is the subject of this thread, after all), you need to compare products, or seek out a published comprehensive test such as the one I pointed out.

Now, read what I just wrote very carefully, three times, before replying. Please.
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If YOU were the one doing the comparison then why did you ask ME what else I tested it against???? Remember those words???? "Where is YOUR {meaning me, you posted it to me} control data for comparison??" Do you not remember typing that??? You go back and read your own post three times.