Preventing ferro rod corosion

[Lamewolf]

I know a lot of folks coat their ferro rods with fingernail polish to prevent corosion during storage, but I found something that works just as good, is cheap, can be carried and applied in the field, and it can be used for other purposes. Its nothing more that a black Sharpie permanent marker. Other colors may work if you want to get fancy, but black is what I tried because thats all I had. The good thing about it is that it easier to scrape off when needed and then reapplied until needed next time. The marker can also be used to write notes, mark traps and trails, and maybe even coat other items to prevent rust and corosion so it lends itself well to the multi purpose gear that folks like to put in their kits. I always keep one in my kit but recently decided to try it on my ferro rods because its also recommended to use when etching copper clad circuit boards to mask the places on the copper that you don't want the etchant to remove. I figured if it was tough enough to resist the etchant, then it would be more than tough enough to resist a little moisture.

[hunter63]

Cool tip, Thanks....
I have covered scratches on firearms if on a trip so I can see where that would work fine...........But I carry mine in the truck...not in my kit.

[Rick]

I've never had any problems with mine. Oxidation would just be a surface condition. I would think a couple of scrapes and it would be gone. But like I said, I've never had any problems.

[Lamewolf]

I've never had any problems with mine. Oxidation would just be a surface condition. I would think a couple of scrapes and it would be gone. But like I said, I've never had any problems.

I've never had that much of a problem either, but I have heard reports of them desentagrating because of corosion.

[hunter63]

I guess I can't say I ever had one long enough for that to happen.....?
I just found out 5 years ago that you were supposed to use one....I just used a rock and steel to spark char cloth......

[crashdive123]

Yeah, but how do you keep your rock from rusting?

[hunter63]

Bury back in the ground where it came from....my favorite sparking rock came out of a fire pit I was digging.....
As the site was a historic site.....was it an artifact or just a rock?....LOL

Anyway marker does help with corrosion on guns......

[Batch]

I have never had any issues with a ferro rod corroding.

[finallyME]

I live in a very dry climate, and haven't ever seen rust on my ferro rods. It will oxidize a little, but that scrapes off. I am sure a marker would work just fine.

[jamesraykenney]

I have had the one I carried in my pocket in a little leather slipcase corrode down to almost nothing.
I now try to get ones with O-rings for EDC...

[Rick]

That leather might have held moisture. Similar to keeping a knife in a leather sheath. Just a thought.

[Tokwan]

No issues for me on ferro rod corroding...and when I come from, a Sharpie marker is anytime more expensive than small bottle of fingernail polish.

[sjj]

Search, "ferro rod in salt water".

[Rick]

Okay...after some conversation with sjj, he suggested I take a look at this video. IT'S DRAMATIC. I've never seen or heard about this kind of damage. If you rely on a fero rod then you'll truly want to see this video in its entirety. AND....many of you are going to recognize a name on the video along with a jaw drop.

[sjj]

Good thread.

[Grizz123]

good thread

[hunter63]

Who would have thunk it.....I guess I never gave it much thought.

So what is the consensus of added coating?.....Marker ineffective?

P.S. yeah a blast from the past....

[Rick]

Nail polish contains Nitrocellulose, which is a polymer. When dry, it effectively creates a plastic that would be impervious to weak salt solutions such as those described in the video. They make a spray polyurethane that you can pick up at any hardware store. I would think it would do the same thing as nail polish since it is also a polymer. We used to spray our fiberglass ladders with it to keep them from shedding fiberglass and getting all itchy.

[hunter63]

Don't sweat your ferro rod........or pour soy sauce on it.

[crashdive123]

If they are not in use and stored - tool dip should work well to protect them for the long haul and then come off easily with a knife when they are needed.