rubber deterioration in gun safe

[aaronhebb]

I recently took my SKS out to shoot and noticed the rubberized coating on the red dot I have mounted has deteriorated. Today I noticed the rubber recoil pad on my shotgun has the same type of deterioration (i.e. sticky and gooey). Has anyone had this happen before? If so, does anyone have any suggestions as to how I should mitigate this damage. Thanks.

[chim-chim7]

Probably something you used to clean or protect it before you put it away last time. Let me guess, Gun Scrubber?

[Merc1138]

Probably something you used to clean or protect it before you put it away last time. Let me guess, Gun Scrubber?

That's what I'm thinking. He either got something on the rubber when cleaning, or there is something on the guns that is evaporating and causing it.

[aaronhebb]

gun scrubber was used

yes, I use gun scrubber to clean my rifles. so does this mean the entire safe is contaminated or is it a one time issue? also, how do I keep this from happening again?

[glockman19]

it sounds like there is moisture somewhere in your safe.

[bohoki]

my rubber coated tasco turned all sticky i use the word rubber in the general sense i'm not sure of its exact composition i ended up cleaning off the areas where the scope rings hold ive had so much rubberlike materials go funny on me turn hard and crack and somehow have an oil like material separate

i thought they invented vulcanization like a hundred years ago but besides tires i havent had rubber like materials last very long

[Merc1138]

yes, I use gun scrubber to clean my rifles. so does this mean the entire safe is contaminated or is it a one time issue? also, how do I keep this from happening again?

Clean your safe out, air it out, and stop leaving gun scrubber on your guns before you put them in the safe?

[chim-chim7]

Gun scrubber was invented by liberals to ruin firearms. No gun is dirty enough to spray that hazardous crap on them. I have seen complete finishes removed with that stuff when a rag and some mild cleaning soap would have done a much better job.

[aaronhebb]

Clean your safe out, air it out, and stop leaving gun scrubber on your guns before you put them in the safe?

Thanks. I thought I was getting all the gun scrubber off. I use both clean cloths and compressed air to blow it out from all the nooks and crannies, but apparently I wasn't doing enough. Thanks again for all your help. I'll make doubly sure my weapons are completely dry and clean before putting them away in the future.

[sk8804]

no gun scrubber for me. I use shooters choice polymer safe quick scrub. I have used it on wood, blued surfaces, camo surfaces, stainless, polymer, and other synthetic material and it hasnt hurt a single thing. Mostly i just use it to blast away any leftover solvent and oil cause it evaporates like brake clean and leaves no film or anything. Best product ever.

[Merc1138]

Thanks. I thought I was getting all the gun scrubber off. I use both clean cloths and compressed air to blow it out from all the nooks and crannies, but apparently I wasn't doing enough. Thanks again for all your help. I'll make doubly sure my weapons are completely dry and clean before putting them away in the future.

No, you should oil them before putting them away.

Unless you need to use one of the harsher cleaners on the market, get something else.

[aaronhebb]

No, you should oil them before putting them away.

Unless you need to use one of the harsher cleaners on the market, get something else.

when I said clean and dry, I meant making sure all the gun scrubber is off. I do give a light coating of oil on everything, but thanks for the advice.

[JagerDog]

Gunscrubber is about the only product still with trichlor in it. That's likely the culprit.

Yes, save this product to when/where needed. Preferably for disassembled parts.

FWIW, many collector folks have the practice of storing lung guns muzzle down. Oil/chemicals don't tend to leach into stock/breach interface and no bearing load on rubber recoil pads. Ever look at some of the older guns at gun shows and see permanently squished pads?

[john.t.singh]

Gun scrubber was invented by liberals to ruin firearms. No gun is dirty enough to spray that hazardous crap on them. I have seen complete finishes removed with that stuff when a rag and some mild cleaning soap would have done a much better job.

amen. go get some froglube instead

[sanjosebmx]

my safe had desiccant packs in it when I bought it... I left them in there....