What coating/grease for long term tool storage

Hi all

I recently came into possesion of 4 off of some quite large Burnerd 4 jaw chucks as NOS. (fact of the day, the original packaging is a bunch of hay in what looks like a huge cake tin) I want to clean the current grease off of them, inspect for damage and then recoat them for longevity.

I'm vaguely aware of a particular oil/grease that is an industry standard for packing parts up. I remember my minilathe came covered in a coating which looked like dried oil- nice since it didnt cover the hands and anything else the lathe touched. Could anyone pass on the name for it?

Military packings used to put the item in a box and then pour molten grease into the box.

ArcEuro sell the Shield Technology products - never used them to protect anything personally, but it might be worth a phone call?

Probably originally coated in one of Shell's Ensis oils.

Morris Ankor Wax and good old Waxoyl also work well. Vaseline could be considered too.

Trivia: the proper name for the 'bunch of hay' is Excelsior.

The best known preservative used for long term storage of guns is Cosmoline. It's a family of similar products, all based on an oily wax. Cosmoline in an American trade-name and similar mixes under other names were used by the rest of the world.

I think Cosmoline is remembered because it's a right pig to clean off. No-one who ever had to apply or remove it forgot! A whole range of protective products are available today ranging from heavy waxes to light silicone spray-ons.

Dave

I find Ambersil Corrosion Inhibitor excellent. The Navy uses it so that is a pretty good endorsement.

It does not create as thick a film as many other products.

ACF50 or Corrosion Block maybe?

Seems to work well enough on motorcycles etc.

Bill

Kiwi Bloke, please do not use "vaseline". (aka petroleum jelly)

I used to test vast quantities of it when used as an insulator in sealed EHT transformers, I can assure you it does absorb water if exposed to atmosphere.

Edited By KWIL on 20/08/2019 13:52:11

For steel parts on US military aircraft, ie tubular fuselage structure(internal), use hot raw Linseed oil, at about 160*F. To prevent tools rusting you have to use them.

Ian S C

If you use heavy grease like the military did remember you will have to clean the nasty muck off. OK when one has to occupy idle hands but not what you want to do on a Saturday afternoon.

In my youth we used Silkolene Sozzle, a tractor laying up fluid, to protect our bikes from the ravages of winter. When spring arrived we just washed it off with paraffin or Gunk. Like Gunk, Sozzle has long since disappeared and the old Silkolene company seems to have re-invented itself.

For protecting small steel parts I have found that Corotex corrosion inhibitor paper works a treat. However brass develops a green surface if wrapped in it for a few months. I contacted the manufacturer, MetPro Group, and they suggected using their corrosion inhibitor plastic bags. I now, happily, have a near infinite supply of their A4 plastic bags for storing small parts. They do large bags that will take a large chuck.

JA

Clear Waxoyle. Thin with white spirit to pour into the inside of the chuck or paint it on if you have taken the item apart. Allow to dry outside in the sun. It stays put when dry unlike grease that could be wiped off. When needed again it is a far more pleasant thing to have on your hands than grease. Also if you are really parsimonious you can wash it off with clean white spirit and use it again on the next item needing preservation.

Many years ago, steel water pipes due to be laid in the ground, galvanised or otherwise, were wrapped in a loose woven heavy scrim like material impregnated with a thick green paste called Denso tape. You could also buy the paste on it's own.

Pipes protected in this way would last for years and be as good as new if dug up again. In those days, plumber's merchants sold it, it may still be available. I have used it to good effect

Brian

You could try duck oil if its still available, spray on and it sets to a greasey coating, used to get it from agriculture dealers for tractors etc

White lithium spray grease is excellent if applied heavily at keeping rust at bay long term. However it is REALLY difficult to remove after 5 or 10 years. Just cleaned up some small engine bits I had storage with this stuff on them for 18 years, thought I was going to have to call the RCAF for an airstrike to get it off. Eventually laquer thinners shifted it.

Here in the USA we have an aerosol product called LPS 3 Premier Rust Inhibitor. When applied, it resembles penetrating oil, but the carrier is volatile, which evaporates to leave a wax like coating. It seems to resemble some of the spray on motorcycle chain lubes I have seen.

Back when I was working for my former employer, we had a large lathe sent out for reconditioning and bed regrinding. The company doing doing the work transported machines on an open flat bed trailer. The owner told us he used to cover the machines with a tarpaulin, but if it rained they got wet anyway and rusted. He went on to say he now just sprays down the machine all over with LPS 3 and doesn't have these problems any more.

Use Napier Gun Oil in aerosol form light coating which lasts and lasts and benefits from no clean up before use. Available from most gunshops or direct from Napier. A little goes a long way and suitable for protecting the internals.

Robert Butler

Plus 1 for LPS-3

It's available in the UK.

Robert G8RPI.