silicon or oil cloth?

mctrucky · Post by **mctrucky** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 3:56 am

I've always wiped my guns down with an oily cloth before storage. But most manuals and advice seems to be wipe with a silicon cloth. Any thoughts?
Cheers
McT

Gwhite · Post by **Gwhite** » Wed Jul 03, 2013 7:31 am

It's "silicone", with an "e", which is just another type of oil. Silicone oil is more inert than petroleum based oils, and is supposed to provide better long term protection. As long as you aren't storing firearms for years in poor conditions, I doubt it makes much difference.

I do use silicone cloths because they are convenient, and they last a long time. Oiled cloth can be a fire hazard as well. When I clean my pistols, I typically wipe them down with a good long term protecting oil (like Breakfree CLP) using a patch, but after a shooting session when I don't plan on cleaning them right away, I wipe off any fingerprints with a silicone cloth.

mctrucky · Post by **mctrucky** » Thu Jul 04, 2013 11:57 am

Makes sense, thanks.

conradin · Post by **conradin** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 1:01 am

What type of oil will also work? Will organic be always better than chemical?

mctrucky · Post by **mctrucky** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 1:08 am

I would have thought the opposite... Bio diesel eats seals and gaskets - so would have thought organic oil would be unkind to o-rings. But what kind of organic oil are you thinking of?

conradin · Post by **conradin** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 1:27 am

Animal or Plant based. For example, Linseed oil.

mctrucky · Post by **mctrucky** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 1:42 am

Linseed oil is fine for wood, but wouldn't use it for metal protection or lubrication. Also some organic oils breakdown and putrify making them useless for wood as well. Also worth noting is that old favourite WD40 is a bad idea for gun internals as it turns to gum over time.

kevinweiho · Post by **kevinweiho** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 3:31 am

mctrucky wrote:Linseed oil is fine for wood, but wouldn't use it for metal protection or lubrication. Also some organic oils breakdown and putrify making them useless for wood as well. Also worth noting is that old favourite WD40 is a bad idea for gun internals as it turns to gum over time.

You can safely use Ballistol on your airguns without any harm to the seals.

Gwhite · Post by **Gwhite** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 8:32 am

I got a tip from one of the airgun smiths at Pyramyd. He recommended using air tool oil for air guns. It's designed to be kind to seals, and has rust preventatives in it.

It's also WAY cheaper than anything specifically designated for airguns. $3-$4 will get you 4 oz. at a home store, vs $12 an ounce of "airgun" oil.

If you are concerned about the risk of dieseling, you can also get air compressor oil.

slofyr · Post by **slofyr** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 1:56 pm

Gwhite wrote:I got a tip from one of the airgun smiths at Pyramyd. He recommended using air tool oil for air guns...

Also try the silicone oil for RC car shock absorbers sold at hobby shops.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wt ... X3305&P=ML

JamesH · Post by **JamesH** » Sat Jul 06, 2013 11:53 pm

I would stick with mineral oil, silicone doesn't provide reliable lubrication, biological oil can either contain acids or break down into acids, plus it tends to polymerise.

conradin · Post by **conradin** » Sun Jul 07, 2013 12:35 am

JamesH wrote:I would stick with mineral oil, silicone doesn't provide reliable lubrication, biological oil can either contain acids or break down into acids, plus it tends to polymerise.

What would you suggest?