OCD rust question - AR15 recoil spring

[Usmc0844spare]

So, I was going through my parts stash and realized that it was unlikely that I'd need some of them any time soon at the rate I shoot. Decided it wouldn't hurt to slather a little cosmoline stuff on some of the potentially rust prone parts.

When I started to apply some to an AR15 recoil spring, what looked like rust started coming off on the Rust-Veto impregnated paper towel I was using as an applicator. No visible rust on the spring though.

I've been applying successive treatments of CLP, Wd40, Kroil, etc, letting them sit and then wiping off aggressively and I am still getting this stuff after about 6-7 go-rounds. Still brownish gunk coming off.

This is a Brownells Chrome Silicon recoil spring. Is this actually rust or am I losing my mind over nothing?

[19K]

So, I was going through my parts stash and realized that it was unlikely that I'd need some of them any time soon at the rate I shoot. Decided it wouldn't hurt to slather a little cosmoline stuff on some of the potentially rust prone parts.

When I started to apply some to an AR15 recoil spring, what looked like rust started coming off on the Rust-Veto impregnated paper towel I was using as an applicator. No visible rust on the spring though.

I've been applying successive treatments of CLP, Wd40, Kroil, etc, letting them sit and then wiping off aggressively and I am still getting this stuff after about 6-7 go-rounds. Still brownish gunk coming off.

This is a Brownells Chrome Silicon recoil spring. Is this actually rust or am I losing my mind over nothing?

Losing your mind.

[Usmc0844spare]

Losing your mind.

Par for the course

[SVT-40]

Those springs are usually have a rust preventive coating, which is what came off as you rubbed it.

[Usmc0844spare]

Those springs are usually have a rust preventive coating, which is what came off as you rubbed it.

wa,
wa,
waaaaaaaaaaaaa

[Epaphroditus]

WD40 actually promotes rust! Upon primary treatment the metal us left clean and clear but now unprotected metal is exposed to air and humidity and soon rusts.

WD40 treatment must be immediately followed up with a rust prevention treatment.

[Usmc0844spare]

WD40 actually promotes rust! Upon primary treatment the metal us left clean and clear but now unprotected metal is exposed to air and humidity and soon rusts.

WD40 treatment must be immediately followed up with a rust prevention treatment.

Yeah I said hell with it, slathered on the rust veto and put it away. Probably never be used. Future generations 500 years in the future will find it and assign it some strange ceremonial value.

[BucDan]

Spray CLP, spin around in a circle with it and shake it off, 2 times. 3 times works better with the chicken dance.

[Usmc0844spare]

Spray CLP, spin around in a circle with it and shake it off, 2 times. 3 times works better with the chicken dance.

Pretty much what I did, then checked the stove 5 times for good measure.

[SVT-40]

Those springs are designed to run dry. If you add oil, grease or anything to them it will attract and trap dust, dirt and grit.

Inside the buffer tube should kept completely dry.

[Usmc0844spare]

Those springs are designed to run dry. If you add oil, grease or anything to them it will attract and trap dust, dirt and grit.

Inside the buffer tube should kept completely dry.

These are long term spares that likely won't see use for many years. If at all.

I didn't want them sitting in OEM plastic packaging for a decade or more.

And while you are probably correct about them being dry (although I would lean towards dry-ish myself, at least based on what they had us do in the military - a light film of oil IIRC), I ain't running around the desert and doing "I'm he sees me I'm down" where they are gonna get overly dusty, dirty, and gritty. So not worried if my stuff is a little on the wet side.

Uncle Sam ain't paying for my rifle anymore, so I trend towards component preservation rather than "remove from shelf and go to war" maintenance.

[SVT-40]

These are long term spares that likely won't see use for many years. If at all.

I didn't want them sitting in OEM plastic packaging for a decade or more.

And while you are probably correct about them being dry (although I would lean towards dry-ish myself, at least based on what they had us do in the military - a light film of oil IIRC), I ain't running around the desert and doing "I'm he sees me I'm down" where they are gonna get overly dusty, dirty, and gritty. So not worried if my stuff is a little on the wet side.

Uncle Sam ain't paying for my rifle anymore, so I trend towards component preservation rather than "remove from shelf and go to war" maintenance.

Lol.

These springs are cheap. Around $5

I have some that I've had for over 20 year still in their original packaging.

No rust.

Youare looking for a problem that doesn't exist.

Spend $20 and buy four. Leave them be. Check back after a decade.

Lol.

[deckhandmike]

Those springs are designed to run dry. If you add oil, grease or anything to them it will attract and trap dust, dirt and grit.

Inside the buffer tube should kept completely dry.

I’ve never touched mine. All 100% condition. Some have almost 15 years of field use hunting.

[Usmc0844spare]

Lol.

These springs are cheap. Around $5

I have some that I've had for over 20 year still in their original packaging.

No rust.

Youare looking for a problem that doesn't exist.

Spend $20 and buy four. Leave them be. Check back after a decade.

Lol.

Might be a little tin-foil hat but I am thinking along the lines of "they finally outlaw sale of AR15s and related parts". I am stocking up on enough parts to keep my lower running indefinitely.

Glad your springs are solid.

Me slathering some Rust Veto on mine certainly won't hurt, and if it's useless, oh well. Just got some needlessly smelly hands.

[19K]

Might be a little tin-foil hat but I am thinking along the lines of "they finally outlaw sale of AR15s and related parts". I am stocking up on enough parts to keep my lower running indefinitely.

Glad your springs are solid.

Me slathering some Rust Veto on mine certainly won't hurt, and if it's useless, oh well. Just got some needlessly smelly hands.

I?ve had some for about 10 years (including a A1 surplus parts kit spring) stored in a tool box in the garage. Not one sign of rust.