R. Shattuck's Lugers - Rust Prevention
 

Did anyone happen to notice what type of rust preventative was used on the Lugers seen at R. Shattuck's get together?


Did he have any pointers on cleaning, care or preserving Lugers?


Thanks,

Rick

Re: R. Shattuck's Lugers - Rust Prevention
 

Ralph has been using Rust PRUF or something like that for the last few years and I heard him mention it again on this trip. ~Thorster~

Re: R. Shattuck's Lugers - Rust Prevention
 

I have used a product called Tri-Flow for a long time now. It is a spray like WD-40 but has a teflon base. I spray it on a lint free cloth and wipe down the guns after handling. It doesn't build up, gives good protection for handling with ungloved hands and gives a nice luster to the finish. It also is useful sprayed on directly and scrubbed with a toothbrush to remove old gunk and oil from a newly acquired piece. In case you are fortunate enough to get a gun that has old original cosmoline that is dried to a hard varnish, about the only remedy I have found is acetone to remove the heavy deposits followed by Tri-Flow to seal the finish and restore the luster. Don't recommend acetone on wood or plastic (bakelite) parts though!

Re: R. Shattuck's Lugers - Rust Prevention
 

I found a superb product on the market called the "Inhibitor" It is an oil based product, utilizing an added VCI(Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor). It provides lubrication and a vapor barrier to protect the metal surfaces. Industry has used this technology for years to protect bare metal! They also sell "Inhibitor Plugs" about the size of a 12ga. Shotgun Shell that emits a vapor barrier for gun cabinets, cases etc. What I do is since most my Lugers are stored in cases, I:


1) Oil the guns surface with the above mixture

2) Wrap the guns in a vapor paper

3) Put the guns in a "sack up" gun sleave

4) Put the guns in a "quality" gun case

5) Put an Inhibitor Plug in the case for extra measure.


This seems to work well. I also recommend checking the guns every three to six months for any signs of corrosion. This is expensive, but I also see my Lugers as an investment for my daughter. This is great stuff!


Tim

Tetra Products on Lugers...?
 

Any folks use the Tetra line of products on lugers ?


Would like to hear any "negatives" regarding Tetra on lugers before I get my 06/26 Swiss W+F home from Ralph's next week...

Re: Tetra Products on Lugers...?
 

Pete; I have used tetra gun oil, and it may be good, but it has a foul odor. Kinda rotten smelling. I do use their grease on my moving parts, and I believe it can"t be beat. I use Break Free on the exterior of all my guns. They are all out and exposed to air and dust, so I clean them quite often.


Lonnie

Re: Tetra Products on Lugers...?
 

I have never usedthe Tetra products, but have heard good things about it. A couple of years ago, I bought one of the last Mauser made rifles (Mod 96 American) in .300 WM and the instruction booklet said NOT to use Tetra bore solvent. There was no explanation for this statement. It is not avialable in my local gun shops so I have never tried it.


Marvin

Re: Tetra Products on Lugers...?
 

I use Tetra on shooters. It is an excellent lubricant. The one that smells like old gym socks is the earlier version. The new version does not smell bad.


The Tetra bore cleaner is very agressive, closer to Sweet's than anything else. That may have been the reason for advising against its use.


I think there are better things out there to use for protection during storage. I like Breakfree. I recently disassembled some P-38s I put away after having sprayed them with Breakfree. It did not even evaporate!

Re: Tetra Products on Lugers...?
 

I agree that Break Free is one of the beset on the market. I did a little un-scientific test with several oils a couple of years ago. The Clenzoil and Break Free were definetly the better two of all I tested. The worst was a GI light lubricating oil that looked and smelled like three-in-one oil. Actually, the WD-40 did not do too bad in the test, and stood up to the salt spray very well. The WD-40 did begin to show some light darkening after a couple of weeks. I still use WD-40 for cleaning and some internal lubrication.


Marvin

Re: Tetra Products on Lugers...?
 

Bernard; that is the great thing about Breakfree CLP, it doesn"t "go away" like so many of the other products, and really makes the bluing look nice.


Lonnie

Re: Tetra Products on Lugers...?
 

Hi forum users!


I get the idea that there are many favorite oils for our guns and several ways to store.


I will share mine; I oil the gun (I use Tetra "old socks" (did someone say)); I then wrap it in one of those silicone gun cleaning cloths, then I put it in one of those plastic cases we have been seeing for sale lately.


I want to find out where to buy that dessicant which is packed like a shotgun shell and put one of those in each plastic box. The plastic boxes do not appear air tight actually; and they do have the egg crate foam to hold the gun in place.


I have not had any bad results with this method that I know of. (I hope no one is going to scare me with tales of the gun cleaning cloths holding so much moisture the guns will all rust! If that happens I will have to buy lots of those little cloth gun diapers (don't know what they are called) instead!)


I also have no particular axe to grind for "smells like old socks" Tetra either. Maybe this Clenzoil is better but I have never seen it for sale.


I like the electric rod idea too except I have not had the energy to drill a hole in the floor of my safe and the floor of my house to run the electric cord! I suppose I could drill a hole in the back of the safe through the wall into the hallway ... Or do most guys drill a hole through the top or side of their safe?


David J.