The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: RTFM on November 25, 2012, 03:15:08 PM
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I asked the question in the WD-40 thread in the pistol section... but unles you read through to the second page - you may not have seen it...
And I think I'd rather ask it as its own thread.
Ballistol - ever use it?
I am reading good things on the interwebs about it - and Hickok45 practically bathes in it as he believes in it so much....
I'm looking for our funny farms opinion on it and if you have used it and what do you think of it.
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I've been using Ballistol to clean firearms exclusively since the late '70's. When I shot lots of blackpowder, I just took it along with me. Made for a good patch lube too. The smell is, uhhh......unique. Yeah, that's it. I use it as a honing oil too.
Some say it works well as a rust preventative too. Don't know so much about that. I use a light machine oil for that.
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Well...it seems to be handy stuff!
from:http://www.studioknittingmachines.com/BALLISTOL%20LUBRICANTS/PAGES/Ballistol_New_Uses.htm
SHAVING?
Yes! For years I have been shaving with Ballistol. I was told that if I soak my razor in Ballistol, it will keep the edge of my razor sharp 'forever'. So, I started soaking my twin-track disposable razor between uses in a yogurt cup with about 1 inch of liquid Ballistol.
I shave every other day around my shaped beard. I pull out my razor and let drops of Ballistol fall onto my fingers. I then spread the Ballistol on the area I am shaving (after I wet the area first). After I am done shaving, I rinse off and shake the excess water from the razor. Back in the Ballistol it goes. My disposable razors now last a minimum of 1 1/2 years!
The reason... Ballistol coats the razor's edge so well that the air can't get to it and the oxidation process is greatly retarded. As a result, the razor retains its edge for a much longer period of time. Ballistol is non-toxic and actually smoothes the skin during and after shaving, making it feel softer.
CATCH THOSE DIRTY RATS!
A happy Ballistol user from Texas called to report that he put a coating on the top surface of his table saw, stored in his garage in his high-humidity area. He kept finding mouse feces on his table top and couldn't understand what was happening. It finally hit him that mice were attracted to the Ballistol. So he started placing mouse traps around the garage with Ballistol as the bait. It worked! The mice love Ballistol.
We tried it here and found the same result. We now only use Ballistol in our traps with great results! Just be aware that the odor (and I guess the taste) of Ballistol goes away after a few days and you'll need to refresh the trap, usually after about 4 days.
LONG LIFE BULBS
A long-time user of Ballistol advised that you should spray a coating of Ballistol on the threaded base of your light bulbs before screwing them into their socket. He claimed that the light bulbs would burn longer and be easier to unscrew when it's time to change them.
I can say it seems to work on the longevity side of things and I know it make the bulbs easier to unscrew. One reason the bulb may last longer is that Ballistol will reduce the air gap between the contacts of the bulb's base and the socket, making the air-influenced electrical resistance much lower; less arcing of the electricity, and a happier light bulb as a result.
I invite you electrical engineers to contact me with your thoughts on this one.
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I use it to clean my 1895 CB 45-70 after shooting black powder through it,works great,I spray some into the action and barrel.let it sit a couple minutes then run wet patches down the bore followed by dry,usually takes less than 4 patches to come out clean,run one more patch slightly damp down the bore,wipe the outside down and it's good to go back in the safe.
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Never heard of it before!
Richard
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Yah ellis.. I don't believe I've seen it in my area - but then again have not goon looking for it either... but think I will get some to try it.
Thanks for the replies, and anyone that wants to throw their hat in the ring for the pros or cons please do.
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I used baby oil the same way when I used to shave. Not sure I got the long life from the blades, but it was easier on the skin and made the edges of the beard much easier to see than a soapy lather.
Had to check it out:
http://www.ballistol.com/
http://atar.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=81&Itemid=60
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=ballistol&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=3271348981&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=492219439129080187&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&ref=pd_sl_p0ye33k54_e
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/164428/ballistol-sportsmans-multi-purpose-oil-16-oz-liquid
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I swear by the stuff, myself.. It takes a few minutes to penetrate the heavy buildup, but it works really well. It's all I use anymore.. An actual "CLP" as far as I'm concerned.. Smells good too.. I keep one in my Midway cart all the time, just in case I forget it otherwise..
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Thanks Bill.
Take care.
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billt, after watching your video I ran down to my gun vault and pulled out all of my arsenal that was either nickel plated or gold leafed. Whew, was I glad I didn't have any of those! Finally, though, I was glad to hear from someone who reads the MSDS warnings on file with OSHA. Curious that the Ballistol warning labels on their site shows that it is not a great conductor of electricity and yet someone claims that it improves light bulb life? Shave with it? Improves sex?
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billt, after watching your video I ran down to my gun vault and pulled out all of my arsenal that was either nickel plated or gold leafed. Whew, was I glad I didn't have any of those! Finally, though, I was glad to hear from someone who reads the MSDS warnings on file with OSHA. Curious that the Ballistol warning labels on their site shows that it is not a great conductor of electricity and yet someone claims that it improves light bulb life? Shave with it? Improves sex?
The theory about light bulb life was that it cleaned up the contact points allowing a more stable power flow to the filament. Don't know how valid that theory might be though :D
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This stuff has been catching on recently even though it's been around forever. I know the You Tube guy "Hickok 45" uses it a lot. It appears to have the properties of a solvent, (copper & lead removal), more than a preservative. I can think of better things to coat guns with for long term storage.
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Found this very interesting about Ballistol, never used it but very interested, and will purchase some.
Found the video very interesting, good info.
As for the light bulbs and other claims, if the info in the video is correct, it seems to me that if Ballistol is indeed mineral oil with metal dissolving components, that the mineral oil is what would be the key.
I’m going to purchase a few cans of Ballistol to have on hand because I think it has a purpose. I am also going to get some mineral oil and do some testing on a verity of things.
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I am NOT impressed with Ballistol. The stuff is hydrophilic and allows moisture to collect on metal. Not a good thing for guns, it works AWESOME for cleaning after BP or messy guns but I always do thorough cleaning of the stuff and apply a real oil of some sort after use. It has it's place, but not for long term use in higher humidity environments.
Andy
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Okay.. Fair enough.. I don't "really" put it on bread..
I don't slather, just blather at times.. No gold. One nickel. I wipe em down with a silicone cloth for storage..
Still good stuff...
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Cleanest weapons I ever saw were done with boiling water then lightly lubed on moving parts.
None of them failed.
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Cleanest weapons I ever saw were done with boiling water then lightly lubed on moving parts.
None of them failed.
That's how we cleaned them in the Army.. Used cherry kool-aid (no sugar) in the steam tables in the mess hall. Best thing I've seen to get carbon off. Mess section was done in 5 minutes. ;D
Armorer never wanted oil on them.. Dry, or do it again.. I guess he got gigged if there was too much oil on them when he got inspected or something..
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SHAVING?
Yes! For years I have been shaving with Ballistol. I was told that if I soak my razor in Ballistol, it will keep the edge of my razor sharp 'forever'. So, I started soaking my twin-track disposable razor between uses in a yogurt cup with about 1 inch of liquid Ballistol.
Probably not very good for your liver. You will absorb solvents through your skin and face skin is thinner than most areas on your body.
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That's how we cleaned them in the Army.. Used cherry kool-aid (no sugar) in the steam tables in the mess hall. Best thing I've seen to get carbon off. Mess section was done in 5 minutes. ;D
Armorer never wanted oil on them.. Dry, or do it again.. I guess he got gigged if there was too much oil on them when he got inspected or something..
;D Final Inspection at Parris Island, GI cans in the showers. ;D
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;D Final Inspection at Parris Island, GI cans in the showers. ;D
Whatever works, (as long as you don't get caught)..