Rust prevention under leather lever wrap??

usmc0811 · Mar 9, 2024

Im planning on adding a leather wrap on my large lever on my Henry 44 mag. I've heard it could make it rust underneath over time. I was thinking what about if I cleaned it very well prior to adding the leather wrap and then applying a light coat of something like renaissance wax to it prior to the leather wrap? Would that be a good idea? adding a layer of protection. The wax is used and highly recommended by people who have collectable firearms and museum's to protect their metal items finishes during long storage. Or is something better out there?

CraigC · Mar 9, 2024

I would do that and heavily oil the leather wrap once it's on there. Oil should be used very sparingly on holsters and belts but on something like that, it would be beneficial.

trackskippy · Mar 9, 2024

This may sound silly, but one of the better rust preventitives Ive seen, has been paint. Ive removed paint from a couple of hard-use shotguns over the years, and the finish under the paint was always pristine, where normal guns would have worn and rusted from use and were not constantly addressed to prevent it. Which is basically what you are doing wrapping it in leather and leaving it.

I always had terrible luck with blued guns in leather holsters, no matter what I did to try and stop the rust.

I would think if you taped off what you didn't want painted and was going to be exposed, and gave what was under the wrap a couple of coats of an easily removable paint, like Testors Model Paints, and then wrapped it, you'd be good. The paint comes off easy with just Hoppes and a little elbow grease and no damage to the finish. Just don't be surprised if the exposed areas look worn and the painted area is pristine when removed.

CraigC · Mar 9, 2024

I've never had a gun rust in a holster but I don't store them in a humid environment either. That will certainly come into play with a lever wrap. Hence the suggestion to oil it heavily. If the material is saturated with oil, it won't absorb any water.

silicosys4 · Mar 9, 2024

I would suggest a coat of varnish on the lever before wrapping. I bought an old Winchester that had been varnished and after 80+ years everything still covered by the varnish was pristine once I got the varnish off, the only bluing loss was where the varnish had worn off over the years from handling.

chicharrones · Mar 9, 2024

I've greased the innards of leather for things like this. Rub the grease into the pores of the leather and leave a thin layer on top of that.

trackskippy · Mar 9, 2024

silicosys4 said:
I would suggest a coat of varnish on the lever before wrapping. I bought an old Winchester that had been varnished and after 80+ years everything still covered by the varnish was pristine once I got the varnish off, the only bluing loss was where the varnish had worn off over the years from handling.

Thats been my experience as well, but just with paint instead of varnish. Same difference I guess. I would think too, it will slow down any rubbing wear if the leather isn't "tight".

I don't normally store guns in leather, and all my rusting issues with it were from wet leather holsters and daily carry/use. Oiling the holsters did no good either, and did nothing to slow the rusting. If you're wrapping something that can or will be subject to moisture, Im just getting that wet holster vibe from it here, especially where you're putting it. At some point, I just think the leather is going to be an issue.

usmc0811 · Mar 9, 2024

trackskippy said:
This may sound silly, but one of the better rust preventitives Ive seen, has been paint. Ive removed paint from a couple of hard-use shotguns over the years, and the finish under the paint was always pristine, where normal guns would have worn and rusted from use and were not constantly addressed to prevent it. Which is basically what you are doing wrapping it in leather and leaving it.

I always had terrible luck with blued guns in leather holsters, no matter what I did to try and stop the rust.

I would think if you taped off what you didn't want painted and was going to be exposed, and gave what was under the wrap a couple of coats of an easily removable paint, like Testors Model Paints, and then wrapped it, you'd be good. The paint comes off easy with just Hoppes and a little elbow grease and no damage to the finish. Just don't be surprised if the exposed areas look worn and the painted area is pristine when removed.

Interesting idea and it adds zero thickness to the lever. I do have an industrial grade spray paint with primer included in it that is used for outdoor farm equipment. I may just do this good idea, thanks.

usmc0811 · Mar 9, 2024

CraigC said:
I've never had a gun rust in a holster but I don't store them in a humid environment either. That will certainly come into play with a lever wrap. Hence the suggestion to oil it heavily. If the material is saturated with oil, it won't absorb any water.

Are you thinking Hoppes, Ballistol...ect, ect.??

trackskippy · Mar 9, 2024

If youre thinking of maybe removing it down the road, Id consider a paint, varnish, or whatever that is fairly easily removed. Some of today's paints are a lot more durable in that respect, and arent coming off short of a bead blast. Might keep that in mind.

If you don't care, then those more durable paints would probably be the better choice, especially against any friction rubbing from the leather.

usmc0811 · Mar 9, 2024

I had two cans of polyurethane down in the basement and after reading the label it stated not recommended on metal just wood. It probably wouldn't hurt any but I decided to not use it. I then thought about using nail polish that I had on hand for using on a front sight. It dries quick and has stayed on my front sight for years without having to redue even after cleaning with gun oils. Its water proof and seals. So that's what I did. Its drying now under a fan and Ill add a second coat in about 30 minutes. What do you all think? Oh yeah I cleaned the bare metal first with alcohol.

usmc0811 · Mar 9, 2024

trackskippy said:
If youre thinking of maybe removing it down the road, Id consider a paint, varnish, or whatever that is fairly easily removed. Some of today's paints are a lot more durable in that respect, and arent coming off short of a bead blast. Might keep that in mind.

If you don't care, then those more durable paints would probably be the better choice, especially against any friction rubbing from the leather.

I just went and coated it with some good old nail polish. Ill do 2 coats. It seals and dries hard. What do you think?

trackskippy · Mar 9, 2024

That'll do.

usmc0811 · Mar 9, 2024

trackskippy said:
That'll do.

Cool. Now that im reading up on polyurethane it seems like it would have been fine also. Oh well I Already have the Nail polish on.

CraigC · Mar 9, 2024

usmc0811 said:
Are you thinking Hoppes, Ballistol...ect, ect.??

I would normally discourage Ballistol on leather but in this case, it would work. That or neatsfoot compound, both of which are primarily mineral oil. I normally use extra virgin olive oil or actual neatsfoot oil (not compound).

trackskippy · Mar 9, 2024

I think the NP should be fine. You just need NP remover/acetone to get it off, and that's easy. A couple of coats of that will probably be better for your uses too.

Bazoo · Mar 9, 2024

Interesting discussion, thanks all for sharing. I don't wrap my levers, but I'd never thought about rust under the wrap.

doubleh · Mar 9, 2024

I would clean it throughly, mask off everything you don't want painted, and spray it with clear Krylon Fusion. Spray one coat and within 30 minutes another without sanding. Fusion sticks to almost anything with no primer needed and is the toughest paint I have ever found. It seems to toughen more the longer it's on something.

usmc0811 · Mar 9, 2024

Bazoo said:
Interesting discussion, thanks all for sharing. I don't wrap my levers, but I'd never thought about rust under the wrap.

Neither did I. Hey it may never happen but better safe than sorry. I also still have the smaller original lever it came with so if my larger lever were to get all messed up I do have a replacement and you can buy newer ones online as well and Im sure you alway will be able to, but that's besides the point.

doubleh · Mar 9, 2024

usmc0811 said:
I just went and coated it with some good old nail polish.

I don't think, I know for a fact my wife gets her nails done every three weeks. Part is because of nail growth, the other is for chipped polish. I gave up many years ago of convincing her unpolished nails looked just fine. Fusion is much tougher than nail polish.

I wonder just how many guns could have been purchased with the money she has spent on manicures? :thumbup:

I do my own. It now takes about 10 minutes instead of five because of my shakey hands. No one has ever told me I need to have my nails "done".

chicharrones · Mar 9, 2024

trackskippy said:
I think the NP should be fine. You just need NP remover/acetone to get it off, and that's easy. A couple of coats of that will probably be better for your uses too.

And in my experience, acetone won't damage bluing.

chicharrones · Mar 9, 2024

Bazoo said:
Interesting discussion, thanks all for sharing. I don't wrap my levers, but I'd never thought about rust under the wrap.

I have to wrap the oversize loop levers. My fingers slap into an oversize lever more than it does a regular sized loop.

usmc0811 · Mar 9, 2024

doubleh said:
I don't think, I know for a fact my wife gets her nails done every three weeks. Part is because of nail growth, the other is for chipped polish. I gave up many years ago of convincing her unpolished nails looked just fine. Fusion is much tougher than nail polish.

I wonder just how many guns could have been purchased with the money she has spent on manicures? I do my own. It now takes about 10 minutes instead of five because of my shakey hands. No one has ever told me I need to have my nails "done".

I actual went back down stairs and removed the nail polish lol cant make up my mind. Iput a coat of the poly on it and calling it good.

usmc0811 · Mar 9, 2024

chicharrones said:
I have to wrap the oversize loop levers. My fingers slap into an oversize lever more than it does a regular sized loop.

I like them both just the larger ones look better to my eyes, but that's just me.

doubleh · Mar 9, 2024

usmc0811 said:
I actual went back down stairs and removed the nail polish lol cant make up my mind. Iput a coat of the poly on it and calling it good.

Poly is tough although not up to fusion but as long as the leather isn't scrubbing back and forth it should last a long time.

Rust prevention under leather lever wrap??

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