UK products.

[wiggles]

Hello.

I'm interested in getting some recommendations for products people over here use for cleaning and preservation of their collections.

In particular, I'm interested in bayonets, so I'm looking for a good gun oil to use (at the moment I'm just using some "151 multi-purpose" oil).

I also want something to safely clean leather, as I recently had the beginnings of some mould on a scabbard, and want to give it a clean to prevent further problems. And for afterwards, anything people recommend for protecting leather.

I did find a place where I can get renaissance wax ( a micro-crystaline wax) which I assume will be good to use to protect wooden grips etc, but does anyone use this stuff on other materials? Can it go on leather?

Any advise will be much appreciated.

[Mervyn Mitton]

For leather you need a softener , cleaner and preserver. I have always found the best to be the hide cleaners sold for the exclusive cars with leather seats. Try a Jaguar dealer, but I expect specialist shops will stock this type of product. For edged weapons we use a light gun oil - probably different makes here, but, again shouldn't be difficult to find. What you don't want is a thick, sticky layer. Use a good leather cleaner on the scabbard - if it has leather - or, even a good shoe polish.

p.s. Should have said welcome to GMIC.

Edited March 12, 2010 by Mervyn Mitton

[Ian Shepherd]

Hello.

I'm interested in getting some recommendations for products people over here use for cleaning and preservation of their collections.

In particular, I'm interested in bayonets, so I'm looking for a good gun oil to use (at the moment I'm just using some "151 multi-purpose" oil).

I also want something to safely clean leather, as I recently had the beginnings of some mould on a scabbard, and want to give it a clean to prevent further problems. And for afterwards, anything people recommend for protecting leather.

I did find a place where I can get renaissance wax ( a micro-crystaline wax) which I assume will be good to use to protect wooden grips etc, but does anyone use this stuff on other materials? Can it go on leather?

Any advise will be much appreciated.

Hi, you can certainly use renaissance wax on metal parts a lot of museum's do. But I doen't know about leather. I should follow mervyn's advice. Ian

[wiggles]

Thanks, I did. I've been on an internet shopping spree. Got myself a good gun oil, the renwax, and some pecards leather treatment. What's everyones thinking on WD40? I know it divides opinion to some extent. I'm still using it to wipe down blades and clean gunk out of mortise slots and stuff. I do my best to stop it getting on to the grips, and I can't see it doing much harm.

[Mervyn Mitton]

Hi - Wiggles (just love your nickname - origins ?). WD 40 is fine as a lubricant and for helping to clean the blades - however, gun oil is better for long term protection.

[wiggles]

Hi - Wiggles (just love your nickname - origins ?). WD 40 is fine as a lubricant and for helping to clean the blades - however, gun oil is better for long term protection.

No origins other than the first thing that came into my head I'm afraid.

That's as I thought, although some people have told me that even though it initially acts to disperse water, it later attracts it. I don't see how this can be the case to be honest.

[Rikster]

No origins other than the first thing that came into my head I'm afraid.

That's as I thought, although some people have told me that even though it initially acts to disperse water, it later attracts it. I don't see how this can be the case to be honest.

I'm an aircraft engineer, and I can tell you that WD-40 is NOT used on aircraft as it promotes corrosion!

cheers, Rik

[Dieter3]

Hello.

I'm interested in getting some recommendations for products people over here use for cleaning and preservation of their collections.

In particular, I'm interested in bayonets, so I'm looking for a good gun oil to use (at the moment I'm just using some "151 multi-purpose" oil).

I also want something to safely clean leather, as I recently had the beginnings of some mould on a scabbard, and want to give it a clean to prevent further problems. And for afterwards, anything people recommend for protecting leather.

I did find a place where I can get renaissance wax ( a micro-crystaline wax) which I assume will be good to use to protect wooden grips etc, but does anyone use this stuff on other materials? Can it go on leather?

Any advise will be much appreciated.

For all of my metals, including bayonets, I use RIG - Rust Inhibitive Grease. It's not a thick, messy grease - very clean and easy to use, excellent protective qualities. Will not damage wood either. However - I do also use Renaissance Wax on wood grips and gun stocks, I'm very pleased with the results. Prior to using that though I do clean wood grips with Kodak Photoflow in distilled water (I also use this for wooden cases for my medals). Like the RenWax, a little goes a long way and safely removes a significant amount of dirt while being gentle on the wood.

Another oil alternative to consider would be Choji oil (99:1 mineral/clove oil, NOT pure clove oil!)