We have spent the last few work sessions cleaning the siderods on our engine and before we put them back on the locomotive we would like to coat them in something to protect them from the elements over the winter, and was wondering who uses what on, (semi*) polished rods on a locomotive that will likely spend the whole winter outside.

*(we didn't go town on getting them to a mirror finish and have left healthy amounts of patina)

why not some heavy grease for the winter?

That was my suggestion as well.

thought I'd see if anyone had any other bright ideas, wonder solutions and miracle compounds, etc...

Amsoil offered a spray lubricant that would stay on sheet metal for a year and prevent rust, but last I heard anything about it was 20 years ago.

How about just cheap Walmart brand spray can lacquer paint. It is waterproof, though just barely, and is easily removed with many paint removal/thinner products. That's what I would do. Quick, cheap, and it will do the job.

Don't use the enamel paint, it will be much more difficult to remove.

We've been using a product for years called 'Cosmoline'. For heavier long term applications, use the grease style and paint it on. For lighter, shorter applications, we use the spray. It does leave a film, so if you are on display and want the rods to appear shiny - well you have to decide what is the most important priority.

I tried clear laquer once for an engine that was going to sit outside on display, and it did not hold up. The combination of wind and snow eroded away the protective coating. Also, I think there were areas where the original grease and oil were not sufficiently cleaned to allow the laquer to stick well.

Eric

You might take a look at Slide No Rust:

http://slideproducts.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?cat=rust+preventives&gclid=CLbvsZeX98gCFYkjgQodPiQO3A

Intended for the injection molding trade, to protect steel molds in storage from corrosion caused by moisture in the air, also water splashes and dribbles where water leaks out of cooling lines not properly blown out. We use the 40212 product. Available in aerosol cans, it dries to a clear translucent somewhat waxy coating that won't easily rub off, but will clean up easily with mineral spirits or other common solvents such as WD-40. While intended for indoor use, I suspect it will hold up outside just fine for the length of the winter.

If objects are where the public will likely touch them, you might look at the 42910 Dry Shield product, which we've also used. It is translucent clear, and really does dry, but will clean up with the same as No Rust. As I recall, it was more expensive, and didn't really have any additional value to us, so we returned to the No Rust product.

Cosmoline! Brings back many memories from my Army days. It's nasty and seems to have a dirt/bird feather magnet built in but it works.
I used something called Rust Veto years ago on a car that I bought. It dried to a waxy finish and really worked well.

Yes I have been enduring my own cosmoline nightmares lately... and never want to see or smell the stuff ever again!

I'll throw out something else. Linseed oil, dirt cheap, easy to apply. I've used it on reconditioned parts that I didn't need paint, but needed protection from rust. I have seen it used on antique equipment when the original patina was desired. An acquaintance even used it to preserve the original patina on a 65 year old Ford truck !

It doesn't seem that we can readily get cosmoline up here, or at the very least the cost will be prohibitive. The Cosmoline website doesn't say anything about international shipping, and we're hesitant to see what would happen at the border.

http://www.cosmolinedirect.com/

And of course Linseed Oil can spontaneously combust due to the reaction of the linssed oil on rags as it dries.

One suggestion is LPS3:

http://www.lpslabs.com/product-details/612

We're going to test it on a piece of scrap metal over the next few weeks and see how it holds up.

I'm told it dries on waxy like cosmoline.

I have used the LPS products for years at work. It works pretty good but I would reapply it once a month or so.

They quit using it before I was in the Army, thank God, as I have had to clean off old GI parts when rebuilding a couple of WW1/WW2 rifles when I was much younger. Took forever to get the stuff off (they used to dunk parts in open barrels of gasoline), especially from small nooks and crannies.
That said, I had opened parts that were sealed in packages as early as the 1930s and when I'd cleaned them off, they looked like they'd been made a month before.

A cheap and easy product is Fluid Film:
http://www.fluid-film.com/
It stays sticky though but might be good for the winter.

We have used Fluid Film for short term protection (week to week)

Zep "Linebacker" by Silig.

Durable, Flexible, Non-Tacky Film * Long-Term Protection

Inhibits Rust & Corrosion: Provides a film barrier which will protect against corrosion, even in outdoor situations. Resists heat, rain, snow, salt water, acid rain and other corrosive sources.

Long-Lasting Protection: One application provides protection on outdoor surfaces up to 6 months or more depending on the weather conditions, and up to 2 years or more indoors.

Economical: One can will cover approximately 100 sq. ft. of metal surface (2 hour dry time per coat).

High Thermal Stability: Film will not crack, peel or sag from -40F to 174F

Easily Removable: Use safety solvent or emulsifiable solvent degreaser to remove the coating quickly when desired.

Applications: Use on pipes, chains, pumps, wire, cable, structural steel, equipment, parts and tools that are stored outdoors and indoors. Use on exposed metal surfaces of trucks, buses, cars, mobile homes, cabs, agricultural equipment, construction equipment, railroad cars and equipment, mining equipment, industrial machinery, nuts, bolts and ball bearings. Recommended for marine use on anchors, barges, ships, buoys, cables, tanks and piers. Ideal for protecting equipment during overseas shipment. Wide municipal use on bridge structures, guard rails and street maintenance equipment. Allows safe exterior storage of iron, steel, aluminum, copper, brass, bronze and chrome. Recommended for use t Building Contractors, Electrical Contractors, Elictrical Equipment, Fabricated Metal Products, Industrial Machinery Manufacturers, Marine Products, Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturers and Railroads.

Specifications:

Physical Form: Aerosol (Liquid)
Color: Brown
Odor: Solvent
Flammability: Extremely Flammable by CSMA Flame Extension
Shelf Life: 1 Year Minimum
D.O.T. Shipping Label: ORM-D