HELP!!! Brand New Gemtech issue...

Iansstud · Post by **Iansstud** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 1:54 pm

I Just got my stamp after 7mo from $$$ to in my hands. And I already have an Issue!!!

I have a Gemtech BlackSide, It has the L.I.D. built in. I took it apart the day I got it, and the Spring is corroded really bad. Here are some pics:

I visited it about 7 bazillion times at the SOT dealer. The 1st few months the grease that Gemtech loaded it with looked like grease, (gray/green/black) Smelled like slick50 whatever. The last month the grease started turning white (almost like it was oxidizing) Last week I stoped in, and took the "nut" off the end, and removed the spring, and piston. The spring was corroded really bad!!! the grease was all white and yellow spotted. Im pissed!!! I was hopeing for a Nice shiney new suppressor, and what I got was already rusty!!!!

Any Ideas of what I should do? I took a de-greaser to it, cleaned it out, took a wire brush to the spring and then took some pics of the spring after I was done cleaning it up...

Here are some pics of the baffles with the "turned" grease still on.

The last thing I want to do is wait for parts, or wait period!!!! I just waited for 7months!!!

**update**

I figured that it was messed up, Ive never seen a spring on a new part look that bad.

I just emailed Gemtech and the Dealer that I bought it from.. We'll see what happens.

eric10mm · Post by **eric10mm** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 1:58 pm

Call your dealer ASAP! That ain't right!

Honestly though, it looks like copper residue from test-firing. If it were me I'd give the spring a good scrubbing with a wire brush. Generally springs aren't coated with anti-corrosion finishes because the coatings don't stick well to bending/twisting surfaces such as a spring. And hose the snot out of the inside of that can with some sort of spray cleaner to get that ugly green grease out of there. Then I'd re-lube everything wtih some good hi-temp synthetic grease and have FUN!

MAJ MALFUNCTION · Post by **MAJ MALFUNCTION** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 1:59 pm

Was the can shot/used while it was at your dealer?

I would contact Gemtech next week (after they get back from SHOT Show). I'm sure they'll take care of you.

Iansstud · Post by **Iansstud** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 2:15 pm

Negitive, It was Brand New with the original grease still packed in it... I Trust this dealer, They own lots of other suppressor if they wanted to shoot one they could, and mine was in a sealed package... anyways I sent off an email to gemtech, hopefully they will sent out a reply when they get back from SHOT... I will keep updateing when I know more. Thanks

"Honestly though, it looks like copper residue from test-firing. If it were me I'd give the spring a good scrubbing with a wire brush. Generally springs aren't coated with anti-corrosion finishes because the coatings don't stick well to bending/twisting surfaces such as a spring. And hose the snot out of the inside of that can with some sort of spray cleaner to get that ugly green grease out of there. Then I'd re-lube everything wtih some good hi-temp synthetic grease and have FUN!"

Its Rust! and the white on the spring is oxidation. I scrubbed the sping with a wire brush and Kroil, then motor oil. Its not surface rust, its deep!!!

what kind of grease do you recomend? This is my 1st can, The manual said Vasoline was the best choice. I was going to pick some up, and fill some syringes with vasoline and inject 3cc...

ick · Post by **ick** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 2:46 pm

Boy, something isn't right.

Tag to find later to see what Gemtech does.

rob_s · Post by **rob_s** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 2:51 pm

Iansstud wrote:Any Ideas of what I should do?

MAJ MALFUNCTION wrote: I would CALL Gemtech next week (after they get back from SHOT Show).

None of this namby-pamby email s--t.

Braidon · Post by **Braidon** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 3:27 pm

tag for updates

hemi · Post by **hemi** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 4:19 pm

huh

Nice bath mat.

eric10mm · Post by **eric10mm** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 4:23 pm

Sorry I wasn't clearer. The green in the grease looks like copper fouling. It just took a while to turn green. Most grease brands do eventually dry up and can change color with time and moisture loss. Synthetic grease simply lasts longer. Just buy whatever hi-temp synthetic grease your local auto parts store stocks to repack your booster. I like Mobil1 or SuperLube.

The corrosion on the spring also probably just took time for the copper and powder fouling to do their atomic porno dance and oxidize the surface of the spring. I understand your angst at a "new" product having the uglies, but honestly the spring issue wouldn't bother me that much. I'd clean it up, regrease it and shoot. Corrosion on uncoated steel is nearly inevitable.

But while you're on the phone with Gemtech, buy a couple spare booster springs for down the road.

<Mach1 · Post by **<Mach1** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 5:05 pm

eric10mm wrote:But while you're on the phone with Gemtech, make sure they give you a couple spare booster springs for down the road.

Corrected

Iansstud · Post by **Iansstud** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 6:25 pm

hemi wrote:huh

Nice bath mat.

you mean shop rag!!!

My wife gives me the old towels and washcloths to make shop rags out of...

CKOD · Post by **CKOD** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 12:58 am

eric10mm wrote:Sorry I wasn't clearer. The green in the grease looks like copper fouling. It just took a while to turn green. Most grease brands do eventually dry up and can change color with time and moisture loss. Synthetic grease simply lasts longer. Just buy whatever hi-temp synthetic grease your local auto parts store stocks to repack your booster. I like Mobil1 or SuperLube.

The corrosion on the spring also probably just took time for the copper and powder fouling to do their atomic porno dance and oxidize the surface of the spring. I understand your angst at a "new" product having the uglies, but honestly the spring issue wouldn't bother me that much. I'd clean it up, regrease it and shoot. Corrosion on uncoated steel is nearly inevitable.

But while you're on the phone with Gemtech, buy a couple spare booster springs for down the road.

Thats the thing though, he said it was deep, stress cracks on springs start at surface imperfections. How fast would that one break? Cant say, faster then a nice new spring though. Will an uncoated spring rust? yes, of course. But a new gun item from the factory better have enough preservative on it to prevent rusting.

I got an ADM scope mount in today. An aluminum scope mount, and it was literally wet with WD-40, not just coated, it was dripping off if I held it at the right angle. ((does have some steel screws so its not all aluminum, but still)

I know I'd be pissed off if I got a nice new cro-moly barrel in the mail and the whole section under the handguard was rusted. Visible? not really, affect functionality? not if its clear of the gas block, muzzle threads/crown, and free from where the barrel goes into the receiver. But either way it better be brand new looking also.

Interesting that the grease turned green though. I wonder if they use a copper grease or if its not actually copper and just something else green.

Selectedmarksman · Post by **Selectedmarksman** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 3:24 am

... Anybody else having deja vu on this one? It seems like a year or two ago there was a massive face-palm over something Gemtech shipped a customer. For the life of me I don't remember the model, seems like it was spring/booster related though.

Chondro · Post by **Chondro** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 1:22 am

I just use some naval jelly on the spring to get the rust off and then shoot it to carbon it up and protect it..
What is that your showing in the front of the can? Looks like its gunked up there as well..
Looks like some kind of water based grease that got to hot at some point and separated..
I'd just get some water in there and shoot the rest loose..rinse it out and then shoot it till it dries and pack it back with good grease like was said..

Kramer · Post by **Kramer** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 8:46 am

Iansstud wrote:
"Honestly though, it looks like copper residue from test-firing.

With the mention of copper could it be residue from copper anti-sieze? The reason I say that is the MK9K I got in September has all of the threads covered in copper anti-seize. Maybe they used some other lube, like a white lithium with a copper base and it dried up.

Iansstud · Post by **Iansstud** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 1:05 pm

Well I shot it yesterday... Sounds great!!! after the 1st shot, I took it apart, everything was BLACK!!! so Im sure it was not shot before me... maybe by gemtech...

anyways, I will call Gemtech tuesday, ask about getting a new spring or 2....

It ran soo smooth!!!! For the 1st time ever i could hear my 45 ammo Smack the dirt like a baseball bat!!!!! It was like seeing for the 1st time!!!!

Wicked · Post by **Wicked** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 1:49 pm

Hey, glad it all works and you're happy.

It really does suck to get something new that you paid good money for, and then find that it doesn't exactly look or work like new. That said, it's something to shoot and will get used. The corrosion on the spring is mostly cosmetic. Don't know what's up with the grease or whatevers smeared inside but once you shoot it a bit and then clean it, that problem should be solved. I'd shoot it and not worry. I would also try and get Gemtech to send you a replacement spring as the one they sent in the can does have issues. Your photo should be convincing enough, their CS is usually pretty decent from what I've heard.

flip · Post by **flip** » Sun Jan 24, 2010 5:36 pm

Throw the pos in the trash, call gemtech and tell them the can is a pos. Send the stamp back to the ATF and start over and get a good can.

Eta: you're welcome!

hemi · Post by **hemi** » Sun Jan 24, 2010 6:05 pm

flip wrote:Throw the pos in the trash, call gemtech and tell them the can is a pos. Send the stamp back to the ATF and start over and get a good can.

Eta: you're welcome!

Hater.

Farmallsh · Post by **Farmallsh** » Sun Jan 24, 2010 6:37 pm

My suggestion would be to screw the can on the gun, shoot it and enjoy.

In a matter of a few rounds your suppressors interior will be coated with a hard baked on carbon that will make you forget all about the yellowed/white grease on the aluminum innards.

imyomama · Post by **imyomama** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 2:26 pm

could this have been tested with crappy ammo with corrosive primers..?

that almost looks like what a black powder rifle would look like if you didn't clean it..

TX-Leo · Post by **TX-Leo** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 11:25 am

imyomama wrote:could this have been tested with crappy ammo with corrosive primers..?

that almost looks like what a black powder rifle would look like if you didn't clean it..

Wow. It looks like corrosion from sitting for years in a wet climate or something. I have thousands of rounds through my cans and none of them look like that after years of sitting in my safe. Be careful about using wire brushes on cans. I wouldnt.

I'm sure gemtech will have a look at it. Their turn-around times for service/repairs is usually 2 weeks or less though.

TheManWithNoName · Post by **TheManWithNoName** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 10:05 am

I have seen TW25B (or maybe MC3000) turn a blue-green color after a few months in storage on a Sig's slide rails. I don't know if TW25B will turn colors by itself, it might be because I toothbrushed with CLP first and some remained after wipe-off. Does Gemtech use Mil-Comm?

Iansstud · Post by **Iansstud** » Tue Feb 02, 2010 7:08 pm

Damnit!!!!!

Im even more pissed!!!

The dealer I got it from said It was brand new, and I got a good deal on it and should be happy with it and It was not him...

Gemtech said that someone shot it with water in it, its not normal at all!!! and this is not how they come from the factory. It was never tested and it was not them....

My local transfer dealer said It just sat in the damn safe, they dident touch it and it was not them...

Gemtech wont email me back with a price on the spring or if they will even give me one.

At this point Im about to call gemtech and tell them the words I feel need to be said.

I basically I got Fucked the deal!!! and out of 3 companies No-one will own up and buy me a damn spring!!! I guess my next GD suppressor will be an AAC...

theukrainian · Post by **theukrainian** » Tue Feb 02, 2010 7:39 pm

i would be as mad as you to. someboady knows something and isnt owning up to it. you really cant be mad at gemtech though.