Guns in the garage...condensation problem?

[Omega13device]

Since I rent and there isn't a good place to put a safe inside the house, I may have to put it in the garage. With our warm days, cold nights climate here in CA will I have a problem with condensation even if I get a goldendrod dehumidifier?

And yes the safe would be bolted to the concrete if I put it in the garage.

[esskay]

I wonder about this as well... ???

[slipknot]

Place a 40-60 watt light bulb inside your safe. I did this by drilling a hole through the top of the safe. Run an exension cord from a wall plug through the hole, attach the light assembly inside. Leave light on. It provides a constant heat level in your safe. Makes it great for looking for items in a normally dark safe.

[glen avon]

not in so. cal inland.

[maxicon]

A goldenrod or light will definitely avoid any problems unless you've got a major humidity/dampness problem.

I got a goldenrod, because I was worried about breaking a light in there. You could get a fixture with a cage around it, but goldenrods are slim, reliable, and easy to keep out of the way of everything else.

I also keep all my long guns in silicone sack-ups, both to further reduce the risk of rust and to keep them from scuffing against each other, but my safe is kind'a full. Handguns are all in zipper bags and rugs.

I'd avoid using dessicant unless you're really good at replacing/recharging things like that on a regular basis.

max

[NRAhighpowershooter]

I live REAL close to water (500yds) and I don't have a problem.. but.. I think that if the weapons aren't cleaned and put away dirty, that the moisture in the air will be absorbed by the carbon present on the metal and the rust will appear faster.. along with not wiping down after handling... I also believe that the southern states with high temps and high humidity would have a worse problem than us out here.......but.. as a safe guard.. I always check every weapon I own that doesn't get shot a lot, about every 2 months... usually that entails running a few patches of Kroil in the bore and wiping down the exterior of the weapon.....

[Inkman]

My wife bought some of these things for the bathroom called Damprid.

http://www.damprid.dsiwebbuilder.com/index.asp?cat=173072

I suppose they would work fine in a safe too. I know the one in our bathroom really collects the moisture in the air good. She bought em at Safeway.

Al

[Bling Bling 2.0]

The Bay area has a lot of moisture and put those silica gel packets in my safe. Although putting rifles in the garage I would worry more about safety. Don't want to have a bad guy break into your garage and get you with your own weapon. I make space in my room for my safe right by the bed, but I could just be paranoid...

[psssniper]

The safe I have (72x42x24) has some 12 volt lights inside that run off a transformer. There is a switch on the outside. I just leave them on and its nice and warm for the guns.

[Ratters]

I have two large cans of dessicant in the safe. Have to dry them out in the oven about once every three months or so. Haven't had a problem with condensation or rust.

[Oldtimer]

I have a "walk-in" gun vault in my garage, and have been using the longest "Goldenrod" in it for close to 20 years. So far, no rust! The funny thing is, I've noticed a thin coating of DUST that has covered some of the firearms that rarely get touched. It's dry, though!

I also have a smaller "Homak" rifle safe that is bolted onto the side of the vault. I run one of the smaller "Goldenrods" inside of it, and have never had any problems.

I live about 3 miles from the ocean, so the salt in the air and humidity are things that I have to contend with. All of my stored firearms are given a thorough going-over with gun oil before going into the vault or safe.....and they get a going-over when there has been a power outage.

The "Goldenrods" definitely work!

[Bobshouse]

There is no salt in the air, no matter how close to the ocean you live. Salt stays in water, only the water evaporates...learned this is skool.

Bob

[M1A Rifleman]

I have two large cans of dessicant in the safe. Have to dry them out in the oven about once every three months or so. Haven't had a problem with condensation or rust.

This is also what I do in addition to cleaning and using liberal (hate that word ) amounts of CLP every few months. Gun safes - especially in humid areas - like near the ocean, and where the temperature may fluctuate - like in the garage can lead to rust quickly. Using this silcon dessecant stuff and cleaning/oiling frequently will give you good results.

[icormba]

My wife bought some of these things for the bathroom called Damprid.

http://www.damprid.dsiwebbuilder.com/index.asp?cat=173072

I suppose they would work fine in a safe too. I know the one in our bathroom really collects the moisture in the air good. She bought em at Safeway.

Al

Someone posted a pic of one of these from their safe a couple months ago & it was filled with water! must work really good!