Before you spray anything onto a dashboard, a gun's polymer frame or a boat's hull, it's worth knowing what it will do. The short version: if a material is resistant to ordinary mineral oil, Ballistol won't harm it.
Safe
- Hard plastics such as PVC, polyethylene, ABS and PTFE (Teflon).
- Polymer gun frames and stocks.
- Oil-resistant rubber, including most modern O-rings, seals and hoses.
- Car paint and clear coat. Wipe off overspray as usual.
- Gel coat on fibreglass boats.
- Most lacquers and varnishes that are resistant to oils.
Take care
- Foamed materials such as foam rubber, sponge seals and expanding foam. Prolonged contact can soften them.
- Caulk and sealants.
- Soft, natural rubber that isn't oil-resistant can swell or turn brittle over time.
Avoid
- Suede and nubuck, which stain.
- Unsealed natural stone and concrete, which absorb oil.
- Fabric and paper, unless you're happy with an oil mark.
How to test a surface
Put a small drop on a hidden area, leave it for 24 hours, then wipe it off. If the surface hasn't softened, swollen, clouded or changed colour, you're fine.
Rubber seals and O-rings
For rubber you want to keep supple, such as door seals, boot seals and the O-rings on air guns and fishing reels, silicone oil is the safer choice. It's kind to virtually all rubbers and won't make them swell.
Cleaning plastics
For cleaning rather than protecting, Universal and Plastic Cleaner removes dirt, grease and nicotine from plastic trim, dashboards and appliances.
Questions people ask
Is Ballistol safe on plastic?
On most hard plastics, yes, including PVC, polyethylene, ABS and PTFE. Take care with foamed plastics and test anything you're unsure of.
Will Ballistol damage rubber?
Not oil-resistant rubber, which covers most modern seals and O-rings. Some soft natural rubbers can swell; use silicone oil on those.
Is Ballistol safe on car paint?
Yes. It won't harm modern car paint or clear coat. Wipe off overspray and wash the area before waxing.
Can I use Ballistol on a polymer pistol frame?
Yes. Polymer gun frames are oil-resistant and Ballistol won't affect them.
