Protecting Stainless Steel

[Baer45]

I have a couple of expensive rest that have polished stainless steel. What do you guys coat it with to prevent rust, etc?

 

[jepp2]

What do you guys coat it with to prevent rust, etc?

Stainless steel by it's composition is very resistant to rust (400 series not as much as 300 series SS's). However, if the SS is contaminated with carbon steel ie. some use of a carbon steel brush during the finishing process, or grinding results in carbon steel particles landing on the SS and moisture causing them to leave rust stains on the SS surface.

If your rest is polished to a very fine finish, you risk changing the appearance by using a compound containing abrasive (like a polishing compound).

I envy your rests...

 

[Baer45]

Gotcha! I was thinking more of an oil or wax?

 

[PigButtons]

Get yourself some Renaissance Wax, (spring for the large size). It is amazing, and don't worry about the price as it lasts a long time and you need very little to get great results. It also works on bluing, wood stocks, furniture. It's the only stuff that museums use on fine furniture.

 

[powderbrake]

I suggest Renaissance wax. It is used by museums everywhere to protect metal items.
It works great on guns. I use it on the metal ( and wood) parts of guns in storage.
I also use it as a finish on small wood items I make, like boxes.
at midway:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2227541091

I was typing too slow, PigButtons nailed it.

 

[Baer45]

Thanks!

 

[jepp2]

Get yourself some Renaissance Wax, (spring for the large size). It is amazing, and don't worry about the price as it lasts a long time and you need very little to get great results. It also works on bluing, wood stocks, furniture. It's the only stuff that museums use on fine furniture.

Agree 100% This has a coat of Renaissance on it.

 

[PigButtons]

The last big project I did with R.W. was the top of a table saw I was given. It was covered with a light layer of rust and trying to cut with it was like pushing a board over a bed of gravel. After some sanding with fine sandpaper the whole top got treated with R.W. It was like night and day, now boards slide effortlessly through the saw; and the rust isn't coming back either.