Thread: VCI (volatile corrosion inhibitor) paper or disks

I once got some "gunsmith paper" from Sinclairs and use it to wrap up dies and parts for storage.
It got a bit long in the tooth a few years ago and now I can't see anything similar around.

Does the paper have another name I should look for ?
I like the idea of wrapping stuff up as it protects it a bit and keeps it clean.
There are a couple of disk or block-like products that will let out a vapour in an enclosed space like an ammo box or gun bag - any use or not ?
Are there some items they shouldn't be used with like aluminium or optics ?

Many thanks for any comments or advice around the general topic.

Painters store their 'oil' brushes in a metal box with turps in the bottom and a large wick. Well something like that, I had a look at one once on site.
I wonder if the same would work in a gun safe with the right chemical and a wick?

I've heard that a block of camphor in am enclosed space inhibits corrosion of metal tools /parts. Best you research it a bit. I've never used it before.

Interesting topic @Bagheera

I'm often surprised by the state of reloading dies - lots of surface rust

I store mine in ice-cream containers, and line the bottom with a Chux Superwipe cloth that has had some WD40 sprayed on it.

VCI bags are in common use but typically they're plastic these days rather than paper. You shouldn't need to go far in order to buy some and they come in a wide range of sizes from tiny to bloody huge. You can probably buy sheets of it too, to wrap things in.

One caution for you - don't use them on cadmium plated goods as they can create huge corrosion problems in the wrong conditions.

Corrosion generally requires an oxidising agent. Cheesecloth strips impregnated with grease will seal well.
For shorter term storage dry and apply a light coat of gun oil or vaseline.

Originally Posted by planenutz

VCI bags are in common use but typically they're plastic these days rather than paper. You shouldn't need to go far in order to buy some and they come in a wide range of sizes from tiny to bloody huge. You can probably buy sheets of it too, to wrap things in.

One caution for you - don't use them on cadmium plated goods as they can create huge corrosion problems in the wrong conditions.

Yes that's what I thought.
What sort of place would I look ?
A tool shop or engineering supplies ?
I think I've asked Workshop Innovations but had no luck.
Sinclairs have bags that fit to line a couple of sizes of ammo boxes but I'm looking for storing little things loose like unused aperture sights, vernier calipers, case trimming tools and so on.
I don't want to seal them in grease or turps.
@planenutz what would be an example of cadmium coating ?

Do a quick google search... and I think I've even seen them on eBay. If that doesn't work let me know and I'll see what I can do to help. Sometimes I have them turn up at home for various reasons.

Nuts, bolts and general hardware is often cad-plated. It typically has a gold-coloured finish but not always. I'll try and find some examples and post them up for you.

Do you have a plastic bag vacuum sealer?