Preventing Rust from Sweat

[bknaus]

I carry my Ruger LCP every day appendix carry. I often take it to the range, shoot it, clean it, lubricate it, etc. The internals are all in perfect working order with no rust. Unfortunately, the top corner nearest my skin while holstered has started developing a little surface rust. See attached photo.

My questions
1. How do you guys prevent rust on a CCW, especially considering I live where it is often 100+ degrees and work in the heat so LOTS of sweat. I try to lightly oil the outside when cleaning but it is gone almost instantly, unlike an internal component.

2. How would you clean/correct the rust that is developing?

Thanks!

[speedrrracer]

Low quality finishes are susceptible to small rust blooms; easily fixable.

Since you live in California, the metal of your firearm is constantly exposed to liberal tears, which science has shown to be highly corrosive! j/k

You can get a high-quality finish applied to the entire gun or just the slide, cerakote, nitride, whatever. That will probably stop this from happening, but it will cost a few bucks.

For cleaning, first try an old t-shirt and some Kroil or etc -- maybe a little elbow grease gets 'er done. If not, move to a light Scotchbrite pad, and eventually if you must you can go up to something like 0000 brass wool.

[bruce381]

Try this

Fluid Film, Eureka Chemical Co., 234 Lawrence Ave., South San Francisco, CA 94080; 800/624-3834.

also I do not carry BUT shoot all cast bullets they do leave a "waxy" film on my 1911 and they never rust even in rian.

[The War Wagon]

You can't. Just clean it regularly. Rub the rust spots out with a copper penny if necessary.

[SkyHawk]

Sweat guard. I made a custom holster for my LCP for this reason because it is hard to find one with a sweat guard for this gun unless you go with one of the custom makers.

This is Horween Essex and the sweat guard reinforcement is cut from Shonan Glazed from Himeji Japan. The Shonan leather is tanned with fish oils and very moisture resistant.

[CWL]

Wax it. Car wax, Johnson's wax, RenWax, any good surface protectant. Repeat often.

Create a barrier between steel and self that will stay in place.

[code_blue]

A high sweatguard is the better option after you fix the surface rust issue. It's not like you can change the acidity of your body's sweat very easily. You can also wear an undershirt to help create a barrier and apply gun oil often on the slide.

[FeuerFrei]

Wax it. Car wax, Johnson's wax, RenWax, any good surface protectant. Repeat often.

Create a barrier between steel and self that will stay in place.

This all works just fine until it gets hot. It can run/smear but still worth a try. Cheap too.

I use Flitz paste to get rid of a rust spot and it leaves a film on the metal. It's a great two for one method. Film stays put a long time.

*My Glocks have never rusted and I carry whenever I'm awake. No magic formula there.

[CWL]

This all works just fine until it gets hot. It can run/smear but still worth a try. Cheap too.

I use Flitz paste to get rid of a rust spot and it leaves a film on the metal. It's a great two for one method. Film stays put a long time.

No. You've seen car wax run when it gets hot?
Properly applied and buffed, wax stays exactly where you put it and forms a moisture barrier.

Sure, Flitz will work too, since wax is a component.

[vinny_land]

Here is my two cents from living in the desert (+125 in the summer)

Wear an undershirt to minimize body contact. I made the mistake with a hard chromed Glock slide and started noticing discoloration/tarnish on it.
Wipe and oil often.....like serious OCD. Wipe it down at the end of the day with an oiled rag and let it rest on the nightstand out of the holster (especially if leather).
High guard holsters like SkyHawk recommended is a plus to again minimize contact with the body.

[ezaircon4jc]

You could try a Clinger holster. The holster is Kydex and covers the top of the slide. It also has an optional cushion for comfort. I have one for my XDS and SR9c and they are quite comfortable; not too expensive either.

[floogy]

Not a big deal. Oil, wax, whatever. The rust is a cosmetic problem unless it creeps into the internals, which are easier to keep a bit of oil on. I'll wipe off the sweat if necessary. I don't expect my carry guns to look perfect, nor should they be if used enough.

You carry an LCP so you don't have to change how you dress. So don't. Throw it in your pocket and wipe it down if it's a hot day.

[NATEWA]

Used to carry a lc9. Cerakoted slide. Before that, oil and renissance wax. Bronze 0000 wool.

[hermosabeach]

It’s not cheap but you can get all the parts treated with a melonite finish.


It’s not cheap but it does dramatically reduce rusting

[hermosabeach]

ferritic nitrocarburizing

http://blacknitride.com/

https://www.dpcustomworksllc.com/refinishing