Best corrosion protection for small steel parts?

[pangris]

So, this week I believe I made my final change to my primary rifle, a 20" Grendel, and historically once a gun is "perfect" I get the stencils out and paint it. Half the reason I do this is corrosion protection, and the other half is cosmetic, because YOLO and all that.

So, last night as I gathered the stencils and masking tape and began degreasing, I remembered that in my half frugal, somewhat "poors" situation of using Noveske B line parts, I had a black cerakoted handguard that would likely not accept the paint and end up looking like shit. I like this rifle black as it has some carbon furniture and I wasn't mad at it, but

I live in southern Louisiana and hunt in southern Texas near the gulf. Everything rusts in real time.

So, regarding the small parts - screw heads, and possibly to some degree safety/bolt release/mag catch/buffer plate - any brilliant suggestions other than Cerakote?

Was considering cleaning them and then applying some enamel based but figured I'd check in with the brain trust. I don't anticipate taking much apart on this one in the future but would prefer to change tolerances as little as possible.

 

[John?]

I use boat wax to protect my hard use outdoor guns and tools. It ain’t sexy but it does work, especially if the underlying finish is a bit rough - like phosphate barrels and such. It still works on polished parts but needs more frequent reapplication. Some folks recommend renaissance wax. I am a poor, so I use the cheapest fiberglass hull wax available locally.

 

[pangris]

Very interesting suggestion sir. That may be the ticket.

 

[carbonbased]

I use boat wax to protect my hard use outdoor guns and tools. It ain’t sexy but it does work, especially if the underlying finish is a bit rough - like phosphate barrels and such. It still works on polished parts but needs more frequent reapplication. Some folks recommend renaissance wax. I am a poor, so I use the cheapest fiberglass hull wax available locally.

I know renaissance wax isn’t great in keeping cast iron machine tops (band saw, table saw) rust free for very long. I was surprised.

I think at that time I instead used Boeshield T-9 and it worked much better. It’s a spray and a bit messy for guns.

So for guns I use something called Barricade and it seems to work well. I need very little to coat a rifle.

 

[pangris]

Barricade® Rust Protection 4.5 Ounce Spout Can

www.birchwoodcasey.com

That?

 

[carbonbased]

Barricade® Rust Protection 4.5 Ounce Spout Can

www.birchwoodcasey.com

That?

Yep.

 

[D̷e̷v̷i̷l̷D̷o̷c̷A̷Z̷]

So, regarding the small parts - screw heads, and possibly to some degree safety/bolt release/mag catch/buffer plate - any brilliant suggestions other than Cerakote?

Yes, move to the desert. I changed on 02 sensor on a 20yo off road truck last week. That wrench was as easy as taking off a valve cap.

Idk if I’ve ever seen “real rust”

 

[Gunfighter14e2]

Fluid film is the best stuff I've ever seen, lately. Nothing else I've tried sticks to gears, chains, ect while lubing/protecting like it does.
CRC had some stuff long ago that worked perfect until the EPA stepped in.

FLUID FILM | Powerful Corrosion Protection & Lubrication

FLUID FILM® is Eureka’s own unique lanolin-based brand of corrosion preventive and lubricant, used worldwide in a multitude of industries and applications.

www.fluid-film.com

 

[tekmann2377]

Fluid Film is good, but other products are better.

If you want a wet film - Corrosion X Aviation is outstanding. Another option is Cortec Corshield VPCi 369 (even better for long term storage as it emits vapor phase inhibitors, but messier).

For a dry waxy film - CRC heavy duty corrosion inhibitor is good. Corshield VPCi-368 is the last word for this though, forms a dry, waxy, self healing film that lasts years.

I was exposed to this as I know someone who works in a plant where a lot of raw steel parts are manufactured. They sometimes have to be stored outside. They were treated with the Corshield products prior to storage. They were so effective that bare steel parts could sit out for YEARS without rusting through rain, shine, snow, etc.

I don't live in the humid south but instead hail from the snowy (and salty) Midwest. To prevent vehicle corrosion I spray the underside of the family vehicles annually with these products. Amazingly they have remained spotlessly rust free despite the snow and salt. Really good stuff.

For a combined small part lube and protectant, you would hard pressed to go wrong with the Corrosion X Aviation as a start.

 

[Budrichard]

Barricade!!!
All I have used for decades!!!
-Richard

 

[Baron23]

Barricade!!!
All I have used for decades!!!
-Richard

me too

 

[pangris]

Thank you all. This site for the win.

 

[carbonbased]

If you want a wet film - Corrosion X Aviation is outstanding. Another option is Cortec Corshield VPCi 369 (even better for long term storage as it emits vapor phase inhibitors, but messier).

With any of the products you’ve tried, have you ever had issues with the emissions of fogging up optics? Just thinking of a gun off-gassing in a safe.

Like, in certain cars, the plastic interior isn’t quite right and it off-gasses (sometimes near-forever). Your windshield gets constantly fogged up over time.

My son’s 2004 Subaru does it over and over to this day. You clean off the interior windshield and after a while it fogs up again.

 

[carbonbased]

Thank you all. This site for the win.

One thing to note is Barricade isn’t a dry waxy thing. It’s not oily, but it does leave something slightly wet on the surface. After application you can see subsequent handling marks on a blue carbon barrel.

I just wet a small bit of rag or paper towel and quickly rub the gun down. I haven’t put it to an extreme rain test but it seems to work on a gun that previously started to rust after hunting in a misty drizzle. I live in the Midwest, so no ocean salt in the air.

 

[Baron23]

One thing to note is Barricade isn’t a dry waxy thing. It’s not oily, but it does leave something slightly wet on the surface. After application you can see subsequent handling marks on a blue carbon barrel.

I just wet a small bit of rag or paper towel and quickly rub the gun down. I haven’t put it to an extreme rain test but it seems to work on a gun that previously started to rust after hunting in a misty drizzle. I live in the Midwest, so no ocean salt in the air.

When I shot competitive skeet for a long time (not, I didn't say I was competitive...lol) we shot in rain, sleet, snow. Everything from sprinkles to downpour.

I've used Barricade for decades (used to be called Sheath....not sure why Hornady changed the name but it does sound like a name for a prophylactic lol). Worked well, easy to apply, as you said....not a wax so no build up, doesn't lacquer over time, and I never had any rust.

But, I also got turned on to a very old product that has seemed to really work great. I still use this primarily on O/U shotgun barrels and receivers but there is no reason why it can't be used on rifles including semi-autos.

https://rusteprufe.com/store/p/rusteprufe-chamois-jar

https://rusteprufe.com/about

 

[carbonbased]

When I shot competitive skeet for a long time (not, I didn't say I was competitive...lol) we shot in rain, sleet, snow. Everything from sprinkles to downpour.

I've used Barricade for decades (used to be called Sheath....not sure why Hornady changed the name but it does sound like a name for a prophylactic lol). Worked well, easy to apply, as you said....not a wax so no build up, doesn't lacquer over time, and I never had any rust.

But, I also got turned on to a very old product that has seemed to really work great. I still use this primarily on O/U shotgun barrels and receivers but there is no reason why it can't be used on rifles including semi-autos.

https://rusteprufe.com/store/p/rusteprufe-chamois-jar

https://rusteprufe.com/about

Interesting! I wonder what’s in it? I wonder what’s in anything lol…I’m no chemist, that is for sure!

The leather chamois applicator is cool!

And I agree, “Sheath” sounds like a product that the protagonist in that old TV series “Shaft” would use haha

 

[Baron23]

Interesting! I wonder what’s in it? I wonder what’s in anything lol…I’m no chemist, that is for sure!

The leather chamois applicator is cool!

And I agree, “Sheath” sounds like a product that the protagonist in that old TV series “Shaft” would use haha

I have no idea what's in it....it doesn't smell bad or anything. And there is a felt pad in the bottom of the jar. Pour a little of the Rusteprufe on the pad and stuff the chamois in there....then just use the chamois as needed and top off the felt when the chamois starts to feel dry.

Works great.