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As a newcomer to beginning a collection I am wondering if there is a tutorial either here on the WACA site or elsewhere with recommendations to periodically “treat” the metal and stock/forearm to avoid corrosion and drying of the wood. Any recommendations, including products found to be useful, will be appreciated.
John from Charleston
John,
It fairly simple to care for your old guns. Just wipe the metal down with a rag with a light oil or you can use “Snake Oil” over the whole gun but the key to protecting the gun from rust and drying the wood out is storing in the area with about 50% humidity. The higher it gets the more chance of rust, the lower it gets the more your wood will shrink from drying out.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
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1873man said
John,It fairly simple to care for your old guns. Just wipe the metal down with a rag with a light oil or you can use “Snake Oil” over the whole gun but the key to protecting the gun from rust and drying the wood out is storing in the area with about 50% humidity. The higher it gets the more chance of rust, the lower it gets the more your wood will shrink from drying out.
Bob
Amen to the 50% humidity. If I’m using a gun or taking it to a gun show I like to use Johnson Wax, the old fashion paste carnuba wax in a yellow tin container. Apply to metal and wood, let it set for a hour and buff off. It gives a hard shell protection and resists salty finger prints, water damage, and can be wiped with a dry rag, lasts 6 months. You will be surprised how how it brings out the colors on a old faded finish. A small amount of Liquid Gold ” NON LEMON” on a rag will remove it and hides scratches. It can be used on metal and wood as long as it’s not the lemon stuff, do not spray it on , remember a little bit is good. Treat your gun like fine old furniture. T/R
I too, use Scotts Liquid Gold. Used it for 40 years or so. I spray a VERY small amount on a clean rag and wipe it on both wood and metal. A little goes a long way. Never cared much for Snake Oil or Renaissance Wax, myself.
Thanks for the detailed information. I appreciate you taking the time to educate me! Here in SC I can control the humidity unless the AC unit quits!!
win4575 said
I too, use Scotts Liquid Gold. Used it for 40 years or so. I spray a VERY small amount on a clean rag and wipe it on both wood and metal. A little goes a long way. Never cared much for Snake Oil or Renaissance Wax, myself.
Liquid Gold was Ray Saign’s favorite too. It really makes the wood scratches disappear on standard guns, like Model 70’s. T/R
I have used Snake Oil and Renaissance Wax over the years. Reading about Scott’s Liquid Gold, it comes in several types. Which one, over 40 years, have you used ? I’ve got a safe full of shooters I can work on with Scott’s and will try it.
Bill
Bill, I have used the original Scott’s Liquid Gold in the aerosol can since the early 90’s when Ray Siagn showed me. Do not soak it on, it will turn wood dark, spray a little on a gun patch or small rag and wipe on wood. You can use as much as you want on metal. When Snake Oil came along a lot of the dealers switched, I did not like what prolonged use of Snake Oil did to old deluxe grade finishes when over applied. People where greasing them up to a point where the wood finish was dulling over time. Standard Winchester wood finishes tolerate over application. If you have a scratch, you can apply it heavier in the scratch and it will become less visible. Not the “silver bullet” but just another can to put in your gun room, if you don’t like it, give it to your wife to use on the furniture. T/R
Do you get much of the “ Almond Scent “ Scott’s says is in the product ?
Bill
Bill, My current can does say almond scent, this is only my third can in 25 years. A little goes a long way. Do not use any product containing lemon or any citrus acid, it takes off case coloring. T/R
I’ve seen guys sniffing guns at shows. Probably various reasons. Thanks for the info and feedback.
Bill
Blueliner said
I’ve seen guys sniffing guns at shows. Probably various reasons. Thanks for the info and feedback.Bill
A lot of times when someone is sniffing a gun they are trying to smell the presence of cold blue.
Smelling the wood will sometimes give you an idea if woods been refinished if it hard to tell visually.
TR, tried the Scotts, it works pretty good. Ive also been experimenting with a product (not sure if its even made anymore) called Dr. Woodwell Wood Elixir with good results with old dried out wood.
Found it on the web: http://www.thebestkeptsecrets.com/woodelixir.html
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
!’m going to run down one of you pros at Cody and show me a smell test on a gun if one is around. That little bit of info can help a newer collector…..blue smells, woods smells, whatever I can get some tips on.
Thanks,
Bill
Speaking of smells, what’s that terrible smelling stuff they smear on guns to prevent rust. You can smell it two rows over at a gun show, smells like someone died. “Basital”? It should be illegal. T/R
Its Ballistol, Gun dealer put it on their guns so no one will steal them.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
The only thing that stinks worse than my spelling is Ballistol. Back to smelling guns, some of the old gun dealers had a ritual when they looked at a gun. They smelled it to see if it was cold blued or freshly varnished, they ran their fingers around the edges and screws checking for sharp edges, sighted down the barrel at the ceiling lights looking for barrel bulges. Some even had a white rag or handkerchief and casually wiped the gun looking to see if the color rubbed off while talking the price down. Everything they did could be easily seen with a pair of cheaters and a Larry Light! T/R
Blueliner said
!’m going to run down one of you pros at Cody and show me a smell test on a gun if one is around. That little bit of info can help a newer collector…..blue smells, woods smells, whatever I can get some tips on.Thanks,
Bill
Bill, an old and original gun should not have much of a smell. Buy some cold blue and remember the smell. The only good smells might come from the oil and possibly a wax.
November 7, 2015
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1873man said
Its Ballistol, Gun dealer put it on their guns so no one will steal them.Bob
It’s not all bad, I dilute it with water about 4/1 and it makes a great black powder solvent. I think the BP shooters call it “moose milk”.
Mike
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