Humidity Control... Silica Gel packs?

[dfsutton]

Hi all,

I just moved to New Orleans about 5 months ago and have been noticing some discoloration (not rust) on some of my guns (mainly on barrels and internals) due to what i believe is the very high humidity.

I'm starting to get worried and have decided that I probably should start humidity control measures before I get some rust issues.

Is silica gel (in the packs) the best solution to controlling this humidity situation? Or is there something else that i should know about.

Please comment away. Thanks guys (and gals

[Richard S]

I have long kept a silica gell pack in my gun safe with good results. You should be able to find one at your local hardware or home improvement store, but here is a link to one on-line supplier:

http://www.dehumidify.com/ProdDisc.html

[R9SCarry]

I too have kept a silica gel pack in the safe - and it has yet over two years to change color - IIRC the exposed bit will turn pink when it needs ''refreshed''.

I had been going to fit a small heater rod but have never bothered.

Thing is, despite high summer humidity - my office building has AC and so it never gets very humid inside - and in winter I have flued gas heaters so again - moisture levels modest.  State of silica gel and guns in safe, and those longarms outside of it - show no degredation from any humidity.

I do keep blued guns wiped over with CLP or similar anyways.