Re: "Weather proofing" your rifle?

14 May 2004, 10:59

Clean and (lightly) oil the metal. Use a penatrating sealer on any unfinished wood (IE inside the barrel channel and receiver cutouts, and under the recoil pad).
Unbuffed paste wax also works for short term exposure.
In any case proper maintenance is the key.

14 May 2004, 11:34

<allen day>

All of my current hunting rifles have blued metalwork.

I suggest heating the metalwork at home before a hunt with a hairdryer, then while the metal is still warm, apply Birchwood Casey's Shealth with a clean cloth--I usually apply with a cleaning patch. The heat opens the pores, so the Sheath penetrates better, and is stays in place. When hunting, apply a light coating of Sheath with a clean patch at the end of end of every hunting day.

I've used Sheath for over 25 years under all weather conditions from arid northern Mexico to SE Alaska, and from rainy late season elk hunts here in Oregon to hot and sometimes humid East Africa. No rust, ever........

In my experience, Tefon coatings are soft, scratch easily, and tend to peal. Electroless nickle can ruin your bore if something goes amok in the application process, it can chip, plus it's loud looking.

I've come full-circle and prefer blued metalwork.

AD

14 May 2004, 11:53

BobReed

Hi I read on some post a while back about teflon coating it is not all that great . once you get a scratch in it it is just like the frying pans what do you do with it . we all know we are not going to throw out our gun . so back to square one . i personally would not go that route . i am sure you will get some good ideas from the guys and mabe the girls as well . Bob

14 May 2004, 09:42

StoonAucoin

what is the best method to make a blued rifle weather proof/rust prevention? i was told that electro-nickel plating is highly affective. what about teflon coating or other methods? i'd appreciate all informed opinions.

14 May 2004, 15:14

browningguy

I've had my 7x57 custom for about two years now with KG Guncote on it. No scratches or wear on it so far. For my blued rifles I go with the poster above, make sure the gun is warm then spray sheath really heavy on it, let it sit a few minutes then wipe it down.

15 May 2004, 05:03

StoonAucoin

thanks! any other ideas?

15 May 2004, 13:30

Hot Core

Quote:

what is the best method to make a blued rifle weather proof/rust prevention? ...

Hey SA, Either buy a new rifle in Stainless and Synthetic or trade your blue one in on one. S&S still needs some attention, but not nearly what the old Blue & Wood rifles do.

Here are some other alternatives though:

Car Wax / Floor Paste sounds good and goes on easy. Let a drop of DEET drip off your chin and hit it during a hot humid day and the DEET cuts through the wax like a DEMOCRAT spending a Tax increase.

Teflon has had it's ups and downs. I had 2 Blue rifles coated by "Z-Coat" out of Florida about 20 years ago. I sold one to a buddy and still have one of them. Neither of them are babied when hunting. The only place the Teflon has come off is on the Bolt Face. And there is a "burnished" line on the bottom side of the bolts where the top cartridge in the magazine touches as the bolt is cycled. So, if it is done correctly, Teflon works extremely well.

Parkarizing is one of the very best blue finishes I've ever had. Still have 2 firearms with it and they look like new. Just coat the entire metal surface with grease(I use a synthetic, but it doesn't matter) and set it out in the sun once each year. The grease will be absorbed into the Phosphate and will cause the firearm to shed water like a Duck.

Robar NP-3 is supposed to be great stuff, but I've never tried it,

There is a "Dip" finish available, but I sure can't think of the name. It is suspended on water and as the rifle passes through the film, it adheres, then is baked on. They can do this on stocks as well.

Brownell's has a good many finishes available that you can dip or spray on. Better to get the info directly from them.

...

If your stock is wood, it will shift some over time. Dosen't matter how well you think it is sealed, it will still change as the wood ages or is exposed to heavy moisture. If you are determined to stick with Termite Food, you might want to consider a Laminated Stock. They are normally a bit heavier, but it really depends on who makes them and what is being replaced. Laminates are quite rugged and very stable.

Best of all is the ruggedness, reliability, warmth and esoteric beauty of a good old, home-grown Synthetic Stock. No shifting groups due to the Termite Food changing from day to day or month to month. Just an excellent stock material.