Damp rid and basement safe

jonk

I just got a gun safe for Christmas and an electric dehumidifier is not practical as there are no outlets near it. The only place to put it is in the basement. Tell me, will oiling the guns well and checking them, say, monthly, plus a tub of damp rid in the safe do the job? The basement doesn't leak anywhere near the safe, but the walls do get damp; incidentally, the safe is mounted with about 1/2" clearence from the walls and floor.

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"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conference in 1899.

.250Savage

Sounds like it will do the job. I might use grease instead of oil (I find oil tends to dry out). Vaseline works well. The only other thing I might consider is thin foam weatherstrip on the safe door. This will tend to isolate the area inside the safe. I'm assuming damp rid is some form of dessicant? Is it "rechargeable" like silica gel?

ysacres

UH HUH jonkafter you bought that FN Browning, you told your wife you needed a safe to put it in, nice going. You should try Rusteprufe, you can get it from AntiqueDr @ www.apaxenterprises.com Great stuff[This message has been edited by ysacres (edited 01-07-2002).]

Shootist3006

BAD IDEA Find an electrician friend and run a line to the safe, put in 2 goldenrods (or similar) electric dehumidifiers. If the walls get "a little damp", grease or oil won't be enough; use them (or Rustproof) on the OUTSIDE of the safe so it won't rust away. Use normal storage techniques for your firearms - in this case I would use Rustprufe or a similar water displacing oil/compound and check frequently.

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Quod principi placuit legis habet vigorem.Semper Fidelis

competentone

Lucky you--how did Santa get the safe down the chimney though?I'd avoid using the Damp Rid inside the safe. It's calcium cloride and potentially reactive with other things. There is a certain minimal concentration which will "evaporate" and be suspended in the air in the safe. The electric "heat" dryers would require less maintenance, but if you don't want to run the electric line use silica gel, Cabela's has some very convenient aluminum boxed containers of silica gel--a bit expensive, but works great and you use it over and over--read the instructions that come with it.If there is any risk of flooding (or just water seeping on the floor) in the basement too, make sure the safe is as high as is possible, pour a cement pedistal to set it on. (Think about the possibility of that "100 year" flood!)

daddo

Be carefull not to store any chemical in the basement such as bleach, chlorine, salt, amonia, ect. as these will quickly eat your safe and guns. I say this with all seriousness- put the safe in the house-anywhere but a damp humid moldy basement. Just my opinion!

competentone

Have to disagree with "daddo"--the basement is the best place incase of fire (assuming the safe has a fire rating), or tornado, or nuclear war...or if Judge Dread's meteor hits us too!"daddo" does make an excellent point about watching other chemicals you keep in the basement.Build a false wall with a hidden door and no crook will ever find it down there.[This message has been edited by competentone (edited 01-07-2002).]

Guns & Glass

Concrete being porous will absorb, and hold water in liquid, and vapor forms. Should install an insulating, and vapor barrier between the floor, and safe bottom. Perhaps on the wall too since you have moist walls.A pallet/plywood, with thick plastic film like used in home construction. This will help protect both inside and outside.But by all means, also do what it takes to use Golden Rods. They are very low wattage, and even the proper extension cord can be safe.You can't coat every internal surface of the guns. They will do the best job of protecting your investments, besides giving you "peace of mind" If you don't you'll lose more than you gained.

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Happy Bullet Holes!

idsman75

Okay, here's a stupid question. I've been looking at some gun safes but the ones that I've looked at don't have openings through which an electrical cord can run. Any advice?

jonk

Well among my other talents, I do know how to install an electrical hookup with firebox and conduit, though i just wanted to see if I could avoid doing so. I think I'm going to run myself a little experiment. I won't put any guns in there for the time being, but will put some regular steel in there for a month or two and see what happens.BTW- my safe has two small holes at the bottom for electrical cords to exit. Actually, it is just a step up from a gun cabinet, but it is better than what I had before- nothing.

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"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conference in 1899.

COWBOYKIDD

Jonk.. My guns are like my children. I couldnt let them live in the basement. Damp, Cold and Dark.. No way in H... You at least need to run a cord to keep the babies protected. Get a goldenrod and while your at it get a light fixture so you can see them shine too.. OBW I got my message from GB admin and they said try contacting the seller,, geez like I already tried that several times,, lol But check it out. I wont the gun in the second auction for the same price and he responded this time. Its a 32 cal also.Kidd

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Politicians Love Gun Control / China Has Gun Control

j2k22

Heaters, whether goldenrod or light bulbs, are the only way to stop rust in a safe. I never stopped rust and mold until I drilled a hole for a power cord, and installed a light fixture. Still keep a good quality oil on all the steel ( Corrosion Block or Corrosion-X ). It's also rewarding to take the guns out, and they are warm to the touch.

He Dog

Hey Jonk, do what it takes to put in the goldenrods. A damp basement like that is a death sentence to your fine firearms other wise and do consider the 100 year flood or the root clogged drain that you will not know is root clogged until the basement has 4 inches of water in it.

cbxjeff

idsman, Both of my safes have small predrilled holes. Sometimes they have punchouts, like an electrical box. The holes are small. I had to cut off the plugs on my dry rods and then install new plugs. If you can't find it, ask the manufacturer. One of mine was hidden under carpeting and wasn't visible from the outside.Jeff

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cbxjeffIt's too late for me, save yourself.