I did a search on "rust" before posting, and only found stuff about Breakfree CLP and stuff, but not on desiccants.  Not too sure where this should go, but please move it to an appropriate forum if it should.

I'm wondering what everyone uses (if any) as a rust inhibitor in their gun closets.  I spent a good hour and a half after midnight today searching Walmart for the 3 In One brand Rust Shield desiccant.  Couldn't find it, and the people working there at 1am were no help.

I started searching around online and I'm seeing some products (such as "The Inhibitor", for example http://www.theinhibitor.com) that claim to vaporize and form an invisible barrier over the metal.  I'm sure it works, but I'm wondering if its life will be shortened since I open and close it a few times a week to take guns to/from the range and to throw my bedside guns in there if I feel I'll be away long enough to warrant that.

I also found the plug-in rod stuff that raise the interior temperature of the cabinet/lockbox/safe a few degrees, and that's supposed to prevent rust by preventing condensation.

Maybe it's just me being up at 3am, but all this rust prevention stuff seems like a lot, and I have quite a bit of money (to me) in those guns in my lockbox.  Anyone have tips or suggestions as to what works for them?

I know what you mean.  There's so many products out there.  I was told by most people that rust is just a part of living in paradise.  What I use for my rust protection is old school Birchwood Casey Coppertect gun bags.  I learned about them at Young Guns.  Look up Coppertect Technology on google.  They are no longer write being made but you can still find the sleeves on ebay and gunbroker.  I also throw a desecant packet in the sleeve for good measure.  But that is what I use along with keeping my guns cleaned and oiled.  Good luck with your own personal war on rust.

I use a product called "Corrosion Block" available at West Marine Supply on Sand Island Road.  I spray it into a microfiber cloth and wipe down my guns.

Also, very usefull around the house to protect metal against rust/corrosion.

Found this article testing rust preventatives on Brownells.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=12616/GunTechdetail/Gun-Cleaning-Clinic-Knowing-the-Limits-of-Rust-Preventatives

I've used Corroless in past when i was into doing automotive work. I bought it from Eastwood.com It's touted to be used in marine applications and can be used to paint over existing rust.  Not sure if its still available from Eastwood.



http://www.corroless.com/products.html

..............I also found the plug-in rod stuff that raise the interior temperature of the cabinet/lockbox/safe a few degrees, and that's supposed to prevent rust by preventing condensation........................

Maybe it's just me being up at 3am, but all this rust prevention stuff seems like a lot, and I have quite a bit of money (to me) in those guns in my lockbox.  Anyone have tips or suggestions as to what works for them?

Golden rods.  Yeah I've heard of them.  As I didn't think about that until I mounted my safe I've opted for the route of sticking my firearms in plastic bags.  You can search Midway USA for them.  McCully Bike used to carry, but I don't see them anymore.  Cortec is one company that puts them out.

I use Golden Rods in my safes and I usually wipe my guns down with CLP.  Handguns are wiped down and stored in zipper cases, rifles and shotgun are racked bare.  I haven't had any problems with rust, except for a couple of pistols my newb cousin fired.  Unbeknownst to me, his hands get all sweaty when he shoots and he's managed to put rust on a couple of stainless 1911's!  Well, I guess I'm really at fault since I didn't think I needed to thoroughly hose down my stainless guns before putting them away.

I've tried dessicant packs (the ones you recharge in an oven) but they suck--recharging them is a pain. 

If you've got a safe, get the biggest goldenrod that will fit in it.

I use a small desiccant dehumidifier. Like this one:

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=40275/Product/MINI-DEHUMIDIFIYER-MODEL-365

Got mine at ACE for $20, if i recall.

Plugs in to "recharge" (dry out the desiccant) but doesn't require power to run. I put it in the gun cabinet. So far it has been good enough but the guns get shot and cleaned a fair amount so I have no idea how well it will do in the long run if something sits for a while. I clean and wipe everything down with Ballistol and that is really my first line of defense. The dehumidifier is for extra peace of mind during the soggy ho'oilo months. The gun cabinet smells dry, if you know what I mean, so I'm confident it is doing something. Whether it is enough for me to otherwise neglect the metal after cleaning, wiping down and storing is unknown.

I like that one...I'll start looking for something like that.

amazon has 'em
or you could get at sports authoritah when there is a coupon
problem is i now have TWO in my small safe and they start to indicate being wet in a week
and are completely pink in two weeks (indicating no more drying power left)
thinking about switching to one of those heating rods
i am paranoid about something blowing up if something in my safe is plugged in
is this valid?

I like that one...I'll start looking for something like that.

I used to get Bull frog products in the marine section of Kilgo's. One of their products is an approx, 8X10 in. rust protectant sheet in a heavy paper cover (bull frog emitter shield). I keep these in my gun safe.
A marine store might have them now.

http://www.bull-frog.com/products/
 

Here's a secret...

The cheap crystal kitty litter at Walmart ($5 for 10lbs) is silica gel. I oil my firearms before storage and keep a sock full of the stuff in my safe. Never had an issue with rust. I also dump about 1/2 a cup loose into my ammo cans. You can "recharge" it in an oven if you want, but it's cheap enough you'll likely just change it once a year. 

I use Damp-Rid buckets in my safe, cars, and enclosed motorcycle cover. I got it at Wal-Mart for about $4 each. Its just small container with dessicant and a water catch. you empty out the absorbed water every few weeks and refill the dessicant.

I used to get Bull frog products in the marine section of Kilgo's. One of their products is an approx, 8X10 in. rust protectant sheet in a heavy paper cover (bull frog emitter shield). I keep these in my gun safe.
A marine store might have them now.

http://www.bull-frog.com/products/

I was somewhat skeptical of those sheets, but damn, they work.

Can you get them on Oahu?

I think the guys on Oahu that have them are Corrosion Cops.  I don't remember if McCully Bike still carries, but they might.

+1 for the Golden rod. I also use a coat of Gunzilla applied with a barbers brush.

I also have the desiccant cans with the beads and as already mentioned they are pink and useless in a few weeks.

I was skeptical about anything electrical in my safe too, but run the Golden rod and lights with no problems.

All my weapons are shelved and racked bare and don't have any rust at all. I've been on island for 1 year and moved from coastal Virginia, same setup with no issues.

I think the guys on Oahu that have them are Corrosion Cops.  I don't remember if McCully Bike still carries, but they might.

Thanks for the info, I'll look in to it.

Flyboy, what did you end up using?

since the thread was already brought back from the dead i would like to add dont bother buying one of those plug in silica based units. as mentioned they fill up very quickly, i have a large unit that claims to be good for 500 cubic feet. my closet will turn the crystals pink in a week. if i keep it in a large ammo can it lasts longer, but takes up a lot of room. i prefer the silica crystals in a sock method. they are pliable so u can stuff them in corners. i havent tried kitty litter but thats a good idea.


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000H0XFD2/?tag=2ahawaii-20 
for the price of the above you can buy a whole lot of bulk silica. i prefer the orange to green color changing ones off of ebay myself.