Stainless steel barrel lubricant

W

WIdogghogg

New member
Hello all, not sure it this was posted on here before but I'd like to know what people use to lubricate stainless steel barrels?? I've heard that some lubricants will leave the stainless with a yellow discoloration to it. I've heard that RIG grease is one good option. Any help would be appreciated, thank you!!
 
What do you mean by "lubricate the barrel"? Are you talking about putting grease IN the actual barrel?

Or are you talking about just wiping down the outside of the barrel as you would with a blued barrel to prevent rust?

Grouse
 
Wipe it down with a silicone cloth and call it a day. The stainless will rust if you leave fingerprints on it but a quick wipe down when you put it away will keep it looking good for years.
 
Stainable steel should be carefully wiped down a rust preventing product. Where as "stainless steel" (thus the name ) requires far less meticulous care.
 
There are many different SS alloys. The SS normally used for barrels is not corrosion resistant. It is a free machining SS. The corrosion resistant alloys are hard to machine and not suitable for barrel use.

Jack
 
I clean my firearms too often, so I am told by some.

I generally just have a few small pieces of cloth I keep in a plastic cup that have ATF on them, to wipe down the metal parts. Automatic transmission fluid is clean, cheap , and works well for me.
 
Originally Posted By: Jack RobertsThere are many different SS alloys. The SS normally used for barrels is not corrosion resistant. It is a free machining SS. The corrosion resistant alloys are hard to machine and not suitable for barrel use.

Jack

So barrel SS isn't corrosion resistant? Like...at all? That seems like a rather broad statement.
 
Originally Posted By: Jack Roberts
There are many different SS alloys. The SS normally used for barrels is not corrosion resistant. It is a free machining SS. The corrosion resistant alloys are hard to machine and not suitable for barrel use.

Jack

It is VERY corrosion resistant, it is NOT corrosion PROOF!!

 
Originally Posted By: CatShooter
It is VERY corrosion resistant, it is NOT corrosion PROOF!!



Whew!!! My stainless rifles almost started to rust immediately upon reading this thread...
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Although it doesn't happen quickly stainless rifles and pistols can and will rust. As mentioned the stainless alloys used to make firearms aren't exactly marine grade.
 
Thanks all for your replies! And yes there are those out there that think just because its stainless that you don't have to wipe it down with anything!! I like to take care of my stuff that's why I thought I would inquire as to what everyone uses, thank you again.
 
RIG + P is excellent for SS barrels. I use a cotton ball, smear it across it and work it into the fiber then lightly buff the barrel. It will easily protect the barrel up to a year in rainy/snowy weather.
 
While ATF might be a decent cleaning solvent, I don't recommend it as a gun oil. Petroleum based oils like ATF can and will soak into and eventually rot wood stocks. Take it from someone who has spent countless hours leaching oil out of half rotted gun stocks for restoration. A quality synthetic gun oil like CLP, RemOil, or Slip200 is your better choice. Believe it or not, TurtleWax ICE is an excellent exterior wipe-on product for synthetic stocks and gun metal. Wipe on and wipe off dry. It will also wipe away a lot of grunge and stains. Highly recommended for camo and color coatings, as well.
 
Yes Mr Wizard there are many different types of ss. I have no less than 20 ss guns and not one requires any lube to keep them pristine. Please post a picture of a rusting corroded ss gun. Or answer the question. What lube?
 
Originally Posted By: skb2706Yes Mr Wizard there are many different types of ss. I have no less than 20 ss guns and not one requires any lube to keep them pristine. Please post a picture of a rusting corroded ss gun. Or answer the question. What lube?

I've got two ss guns with rust on them - neglect and one unknowingly got wet in the house, and the other was blackpowder residue that wasn't fully wiped off.

I've had excellent results since I've started regularly using Eezox for wipe downs. I seem to have extra-sweaty hands, and Eezox has stopped most of that if I use it regularly. I think I could get a granite countertop to rust if I didn't wipe it down regularly! !LOL!!
 
Originally Posted By: WIdogghoggThanks all for your replies! And yes there are those out there that think just because its stainless that you don't have to wipe it down with anything!! I like to take care of my stuff that's why I thought I would inquire as to what everyone uses, thank you again.

I better go oil all my stainless steel guns from the 1980's they might rust someday.
 
Let me tell ya'll something, never let your wife put a vaporizer in the room with your stainless firearms. Mine rusted overnight, that's right overnight. Glad it was just on the surface and wiped off.Vaporizer and firearms, not a good combo!
 
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