Rust Preventive

In my research for rust preventives for tools and firearms I came across a product called Alox, originally developed many years ago for naval ship applications. It is widely used in commercial/industrial applications but is not readily available to the consumer except as this product, Liquid Alox by Lee Precision, manufacturer of reloading equipment. Lee sells this for a lubricating coating for cast lead bullets, but it is the same calcium soap based alox used as a rust preventive. It is available on Amazon for ~$11 for 4 oz, enough to make about 3 quarts, probably enough to last a lifetime.

In the bottle it is a thick, dark brown gel. It can be reduced with mineral spirits or naptha (naptha is available at home builder stores). I reduce it maybe 15-20:1 with naptha in a small spray bottle. It will settle out overnight, but stirring or shaking the bottle suspends it back into solution. Spray a little on, spread around with fingers or a paper towel and let the naptha flash off. It dries to a somewhat hard, dry, thin film haze on the parts which can be buffed if desired. It is more durable than most rust preventives, and is not noticeable on the surface if buffed. It’s easily removed with mineral spirits or naptha. It works great for any ferrous materials, steel, cast iron, etc. I really like it for intricate shapes, like hand plane castings and blades, and the bottoms of cast iron tables on saws and jointers. I use furniture wax on the tops. I use it on firearms as well.