Ballistol - thoughts please

[Jrlobo]

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?

[Solus]

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   

[billt]

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.

[jp1]

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.

[langloisandy]

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

[Sponsor]

[santahog]

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...

[tombogan03884]

Cleanest weapons I ever saw were done with boiling water then lightly lubed on moving parts.
None of them failed.

[santahog]

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. 
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..

[JoeG]

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.

[tombogan03884]

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. 
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..

Final Inspection at Parris Island, GI cans in the showers.