The Plate of Truth (gun cleaning/lubricating products test)

[JJGatesE30]

Found this very interesting video, actually a series of vids, on this guy who tested various gun care products. He calls it the plate of truth: a steel plate that he has divided into individual numbered squares and he applies different products to and then lets the thing sit outside, exposed to the elements. Anyone could do this really, but he did a great job of documenting it all. There are at least 4 videos in this series depending how far you want to get into it.

YouTube - Plate of Truth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVAq9fS5BVE&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sN6anOSVRQ&feature=channel

Take this test for what it's worth, but I believe it to be non-biased and reputable. SPOILER ALERT!! The popular Rem oil, compared to the others, SUCKS!

The guys channel is here
​

 

[shooter521]

Interesting test. Surprised WD-40 did as well as it did, and that Hoppes, Otis and Rem-Oil tanked as badly as they did.

Would've liked to see SLIP2000 (my personal choice) and Super QCG (an Indiana-made product) in the mix as well... maybe an excuse for one of my fellow INGOers to replicate this experiment?

 

[khickey3492]

WD-40 is not as surprising as you might think, while I agree I wouldn't use it as a firearms lubricant. It is a fine rust preventative. Wikipedia has a nice write up here. I use WD 40 on my cast iron table saw top and it does a fine job of keeping the rust down. (I do wipe it off before using it, as it will discolor unfinished wood)

 

[Sailor]

I wish it tested how well it lubricates vs corrosion resistance. I would like to see how my $4 tub of high temperature bearing grease fairs.

 

[Cat-Herder]

I wish it tested how well it lubricates vs corrosion resistance. I would like to see how my $4 tub of high temperature bearing grease fairs.

i use bearing grease almost exclusively for the friction surfaces in my auto-loaders.
+1 for bearing grease!

 

[jontheturboguy]

I use nothng but some white lith slide grease and Zep 45 teflon spray. Dollars to dog nuts my zep 45 beats every thing listed above. :-)

 

[nova512]

ok 2 out of 3 of the oils i use were on there,guess ill be switching.+1

 

[Audie Murphy]

Very helpful vid, I use Rem oil, or used to based upon the information on the vid. Thanks man. Rep for you for this great information.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

Interesting test. Surprised WD-40 did as well as it did, and that Hoppes, Otis and Rem-Oil tanked as badly as they did.

Would've liked to see SLIP2000 (my personal choice) and Super QCG (an Indiana-made product) in the mix as well... maybe an excuse for one of my fellow INGOers to replicate this experiment?

You can always conduct your own tests and include these other two products. Or more!

Then you can post the results at work, right next to the displays of the "winning" products.

Also, the Super QCG website says they're HQ'd in Grand Rapids, MI. Where in IN is their production facility? (Just curious...I like to know what kinds of "boutique" stuff are made in IN)

-J-

 

[Integraholic]

slip2000. That is all.

 

[Yeah]

Stainless + none of the above.

The guy in the videos might have gotten his ideas from 6mmBR?

 

[Sticky]

Here's a similar steel surface test done at a muzzleloaders site. They didn't test as many oils.

 

[thompal]

WD-40 is not as surprising as you might think, while I agree I wouldn't use it as a firearms lubricant. It is a fine rust preventative. Wikipedia has a nice write up here. I use WD 40 on my cast iron table saw top and it does a fine job of keeping the rust down. (I do wipe it off before using it, as it will discolor unfinished wood)

My question is that if WD40 does a good job of protecting, and assuming it does lubricate, why does nobody suggest using it on firearms?

 

[thompal]

Has anyone used just silicone as a lubricant/protectant? I know it lubricates well, and the way it migrates, I would have to believe it would protect well.

 

[JJGatesE30]

My question is that if WD40 does a good job of protecting, and assuming it does lubricate, why does nobody suggest using it on firearms?

WD-40 is a penetrating fluid, not a lubricant. It doesn't have anti-wear additives or protective qualities to it, or at least not to the level needed to properly lubricate. It is oil based so it can act as a physical barrier against rust, but the fact that it outperformed other "gun oils" tells me that some of these are just liquid garbage.

 

[Hornett]

I have had terrible luck with WD 40.
It might work for a week or 2 but it is most definitely not long term protection from rust.
It's like it evaporates.

 

[SKSnut]

Very informative! Thanks!

 

[Robert Richardson]

RIG for rust protection,Mobile 1 for lube.

 

[CoyoteCreekGuns]

Would have been nice to see Eezox on this as it has been tested before and came out in 1st place!

 

[Woodsman]

If I remember correctly, the WD in WD-40 stands for water dispersant. That being the case it may explain why it seemed to do a decent job at holding corrosion at bay.

I would have like to have seen Eezox and WeaponShield also.

Overall I'd give this guys test a thumbs up for using corrosion coupons in this validation. He seemed to use decent test protocols and methods. The only thing I might have done different would be to use an alcohol wipe to clean the base steel first to remove all dust and remaining oil. Then the coupons would have been semi-pristine before applying his products. He still produced some very interesting results though.