Is Neo Lube Better than Imperial Dry Neck Lube

[Alex Wheeler]

By running a mandrel over it that may remove some or iron it in, maybe running a brush over it would help. I just tested it painting the neck and seating the bullet since I dont madrel.

 

[Webster]

I’ve been using Imperial Dry Neck Lube for a good while now, but have been reading a good bit about the Neo Lube product and was wondering if it is better than the other? I can see that as the Neo Lube is a liquid that dries, you might get a more even distribution of the product on the necks, over the powder. I realize that they are both graphite, but does the Neolube do a better job? I was wondering if anyone has actually used both and compared them as they translate into results on paper?

GOOGLE NEOLUBE MSDS for a full copy. Attached the top half of the data sheet. It explains the composition. Does repeated use cause a build up of the resin? I still like low vis petroleum oil. It works and it's cheap and you can buy it anywhere.

 

[RegionRat]

Does repeated use cause a build up of the resin?

No, Neolube#2 isn't building up a resin layer, it is just graphite. Some graphite may stay behind, but gunpowder soot is mostly similar.

Neolube #2 is designed to "plate out" on a surface.
It has a narrow spectrum of particle size, mostly 4 microns with the largest being 10 microns. It is 3 - 3.5% by weight of graphite. The carrier is isopropanol with traces of halogenated solvents in the ppm range. It is not designed to leave any layer of resin or oils. The carrier is basically all going to evaporate and leave you with a graphite layer that is roughly 0.0002" - 0.0004" thick, unless you really stack it on to make it thicker. The main idea is for use as an anti-galling lubricant for fasteners in aerospace and nuke environments where there is an effort to control organic and hydrocarbon contamination.

Lock-ease is designed to penetrate into capillaries and gaps in locks.
It has a very wide spectrum of graphite particle size compared to Neolube #2 from very coarse to very fine. It also contains as much aluminum isopropoxide. Both of these are listed as 0.1 - 1% by weight. For the most part, it is Stoddard Solvent and Naptha with some other hydrocarbon ingredients. It will take a little longer for Lock-ease solvents to evaporate compared to the isopropanol used in Neo. The main idea is to get inside gaps in locks and to penetrate joints to free them up, and to leave graphite and aluminum propoxide behind over the long term.

Both of these have their pros and cons in terms of reloading usage. YMMV

 

[jimmymac]

It will take a little longer for Lock-ease solvents to evaporate compared to the isopropanol used in Neo.

I tested this in a side by side comparison dropping the same amount by volume on a plastic lid and letting the solvent flash off. The solvent in the Neolube evaporated within minutes and was dry to the touch. The Lock-ease was still wet hours later. At that point, I decided there was no way for me to determine how fast the solvent in the Lock-ease flashed off. I assume the solvent did indeed evaporate at some point and the reason it was still wet was due to it having a petroleum base. I have no other explanation.

 

[RegionRat]

I tested this in a side by side comparison dropping the same amount by volume on a plastic lid and letting the solvent flash off. The solvent in the Neolube evaporated within minutes and was dry to the touch. The Lock-ease was still wet hours later. At that point, I decided there was no way for me to determine how fast the solvent in the Lock-ease flashed off. I assume the solvent did indeed evaporate at some point and the reason it was still wet was due to it having a petroleum base. I have no other explanation.

Stoddard Solvent was a historical dry cleaning fluid. It isn't in the Lock-ease to flash off quickly but it is intended to help both transport some graphite as well as penetrate a stubborn or distressed lock.

You have to give the Lock-ease more time and keep in mind it is closer to paint thinner or kerosene (C10) than it is to alcohol (C3).

Those both have their pros and cons and the differences are good to have in your tool box so to speak.

 

[Acsr]

Where can you buy the NEO LUBE??

 

[moondog]

GreTan Rifles

 

[Webster]

No, Neolube#2 isn't building up a resin layer, it is just graphite. Some graphite may stay behind, but gunpowder soot is mostly similar.

Neolube #2 is designed to "plate out" on a surface.
It has a narrow spectrum of particle size, mostly 4 microns with the largest being 10 microns. It is 3 - 3.5% by weight of graphite. The carrier is isopropanol with traces of halogenated solvents in the ppm range. It is not designed to leave any layer of resin or oils. The carrier is basically all going to evaporate and leave you with a graphite layer that is roughly 0.0002" - 0.0004" thick, unless you really stack it on to make it thicker. The main idea is for use as an anti-galling lubricant for fasteners in aerospace and nuke environments where there is an effort to control organic and hydrocarbon contamination.

Lock-ease is designed to penetrate into capillaries and gaps in locks.
It has a very wide spectrum of graphite particle size compared to Neolube #2 from very coarse to very fine. It also contains as much aluminum isopropoxide. Both of these are listed as 0.1 - 1% by weight. For the most part, it is Stoddard Solvent and Naptha with some other hydrocarbon ingredients. It will take a little longer for Lock-ease solvents to evaporate compared to the isopropanol used in Neo. The main idea is to get inside gaps in locks and to penetrate joints to free them up, and to leave graphite and aluminum propoxide behind over the long term.

Both of these have their pros and cons in terms of reloading usage. YMMV

The company write-up says it contains a thermo plastic resin. Also states it contains a binder (the resin)? Look at the price, add HAZMET $. Is this price correct. It's from the NEOLUBE website?

 

[XTR]

I always get a kick out of the fact that Neo-lube (colloidal graphite in isopropyl) is as expensive as it is. It is the Nuclear Navy’s specified lube for valve caps to help prevent stainless steel gauling. I must have used or wasted a gallon of the stuff in 4 yrs.

once you get it on try to get it off.

 

[LVLAaron]

2oz will lube... probably a million cases.

But you could probably mix up your own...

 

[divingin]

But you could probably mix up your own...

Graphite Powder, Micronized Flake, 95+%

Graphite Powder, Micronized Flake, 95+% - Micronized natural graphite is an electrically conductive powder that can produce metallic shine on skin and smooth surfaces. Particle size of about 5 micron and flake shape of particles allow you to apply this powder by brush or by foam to create a...

shop.chemicalstore.com

add to

Amazon.com

and you're there. Bonus: you get to mix up whatever density you want.

I tried to find small amounts of sub-micron graphite; doesn't seem to be available (well, I couldn't find it anyway.) I don't really know if there's a benefit going from 5 micron to sub-micron anyway.

Tip: Add a stainless nut or some other heavy non-reactive item to the bottle to aid in agitating the mix. The graphite tends to settle to the bottom and stay there.

 

[RegionRat]

The company write-up says it contains a thermo plastic resin. Also states it contains a binder (the resin)? Look at the price, add HAZMET $. Is this price correct. It's from the NEOLUBE website?

Yes, however... It is less than 0.01% of the content and barely detectable unless you are in the lab.

That halogenated material is a proprietary ingredient that aids with the stacking of the carbon, it is an intentional ingredient but we are talking trace amounts. It makes Neo better than home brews, but it also can disqualify it in other sensitive places where those ingredients were not going to work.

 

[Timon]

Where can you buy the NEO LUBE??

Amazon or MicroMart

 

[quest450]

as moondog said....GreTan sells it, support our shooting community NOT anti 2A amazon scum

Colloidal Graphite 2oz | gretanrifles

Colloidal Graphite in a isopropanol carrier. This is a dry film lubricant. This is the product that I coat every new barrel with that I install. This product fills the micro structure. So you have a graphite lubricant in the micro structure, instead of copper and carbon. This helps to prevent...

www.gretanrifles.com