The Proven Blueprint for Blued Gun Care - Arms Preservation Inc

Care & Storage for Blued Firearms: Breakthrough Clean + API VCI

Blued steel is classic American craftsmanship—and it rewards owners who follow a consistent, low-mess routine. At Arms Preservation Inc. (API), we design multi-layer VCI (Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor) Storage Bags that protect the places liquid oils can’t reliably reach. Pair those with Breakthrough Clean™ chemistry and you’ve got a fail-safe care system for heirlooms, carry guns, sporting shotguns, rifles, and muskets.

Why Blued Finishes Need a Smarter Routine

  • Microporous surface: Traditional bluing is a conversion coating; it can trap salts and moisture.

  • Humidity swings: Small RH spikes can flash-rust blued steel.

  • Fingerprints = acids: Skin oils accelerate oxidation.

Solution: Clean thoroughly, leave a thin, stable oil film, and store in a sealed VCI environment that blankets metal—inside the bore, under sights, behind grips, and in every nook.

The Proven Kit

Breakthrough Clean™ (fast, low-odor, gun-safe)

  • Military-Grade Solvent

  • Battle Born High-Purity Oil

  • Battle Born Grease (sparingly on rails/hinges)

  • Nylon brushes, rods, patches, microfiber

  • Lead & Heavy Metal Removal Wipes

API VCI Storage Bags (durable, multi-layer, Velcro closure)

Why API: Multi-layer barrier film + integrated VCI chemistry; non-abrasive interior; reusable Velcro closure. VCIs form an invisible barrier on metal and dissipate cleanly on opening—no gummy films to strip.

Step-by-Step: Clean → Protect → Store (Blued Steel)

1) Safety & Setup

  • Unload, verify clear.

  • Field strip per the manual.

  • Lay out lint-free cloths, nylon/brass tools.

2) Clean (Solvent)

  • Run Breakthrough Clean Military-Grade Solvent on patches through the bore.

  • Nylon brush for carbon; avoid steel tools on bluing.

  • Wipe exterior metal to remove salts/sweat.

  • Dry completely (no solvent left on the finish).

3) Protect (Oil Film)

  • Mist a cloth with Battle Born High-Purity Oil—thin is in.

  • Touch every blued surface (muzzle crown, under sights, extractor/ejector, screws).

  • Grease lightly on bearing surfaces (rails/lugs).

  • Keep oil off wood stocks and leather.

Pro Tip: Remove fingerprints before storage using a clean cloth or Breakthrough’s metal wipes—prints etch bluing fast.

4) Store (VCI Environment)

  • Let the oil film stabilize ~5–10 min.

  • Insert into the correct-size API VCI Bag; press out excess air.

  • Close the Velcro flat across the width.

  • Optional in humid climates: a small desiccant not touching metal.

  • Label date/serial/last service; store cool and stable.

Inside the bag: VCIs vaporize and are drawn to the metal surface, displacing moisture/oxygen—even where liquids don’t reach. On opening the bag, they dissipate, leaving metal ready to handle or shoot.

Five-Minute “Range-to-Rack” Routine

  1. Verify clear; push a solvent patch.

  2. Quick exterior wipe with solvent; dry.

  3. Thin Battle Born Oil film; remove prints.

  4. Back into the API VCI Bag; seal.

Do’s & Don’ts for Bluing

Do

  • Keep a thin, even oil film on all blued areas.

  • Use nylon/brass tools; microfiber for wipe-downs.

  • Store in sealed API VCI bags between uses.

Don’t

  • Over-oil (dust magnet; still won’t reach micro-crevices like VCI).

  • Abrade with steel wool or harsh pads.

  • Store in bare foam/leather without VCI.

  • Bag a wet gun—always dry first.

Product-Specific Recommendations & CTAs

FAQs

Q1: Can I store a lightly oiled blued gun directly in an API VCI bag?
A: Yes. Apply a thin Battle Born Oil film, let it sit a few minutes, then seal in the API VCI bag. VCIs complement oil by protecting tight areas oil can’t reliably reach.

Q2: Will VCIs leave residue or affect my blued finish?
A: No. VCI molecules are non-depositing and dissipate when the bag is opened, leaving your existing protective oil film intact.

Q3: How often should I re-oil a blued firearm in storage?
A: As long as the firearm has not been removed from the bag its preserved state should remain consistent and not require maintenance.

Q4: Do I need desiccant with a VCI bag?
A: Not required in normal conditions. In very humid environments, a small desiccant pack can help—place it in the bag without direct contact to oiled metal.

Q5: Is Breakthrough Clean Solvent safe for bluing and wood?
A: It’s designed for firearms; avoid saturating wood. Wipe any solvent that reaches wood immediately and follow with a light oil film on metal only.

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