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Old 07-27-2018, 08:01 PM
MetalMan MetalMan is offline
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Default Repair rusty grip screw head?

I noticed a few days ago that the head of the grip screw in my Uncle Mike’s 59010 J-Frame boot grip had begun to show some considerable rust.

Grip is attached to my current EDC, a 1988 Model 60ND, 2” bbl.

I was able to clean off the rust using just a small amount Mothers Mag polish and was also able to clean into the slot. When done, the screw seemed to retain all of its black color.

As it actually looked pretty good when I was done, I applied a coat of RenWax and re-inserted the screw.

After a couple of days, the rust appears to be returning.

May I assume that I can just paint the screw head with some rust-preventive paint? Will this be a longer-term fix?

Finding a replacement screw also seems a bit of a challenge. I even wrote to Uncle Mike’s (now Bushnell) and they responded that the part is no longer available.

I know that this is a minor issue, but any suggestions for a more permanent fix or where I might be able to locate a suitable replacement would be appreciated.

Last edited by MetalMan; 07-27-2018 at 08:19 PM.
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Old 07-27-2018, 08:19 PM
RGVshooter RGVshooter is offline
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Instead of the wax may I suggest that you use oil?
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Old 07-27-2018, 08:20 PM
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broil and bronze brush, then coat with RIG grease
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Old 07-27-2018, 08:23 PM
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I don’t think you removed all the rust. If you can’t locate the proper replacement screw, maybe polish off the original finish and leave natural or re-blue with Perma Blue. Either way, give it a new coat of wax, oil or WD-40.
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Old 07-27-2018, 08:31 PM
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Try Ospho.
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Old 07-27-2018, 09:58 PM
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Agree - I have touched up with cold blue successfully.
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Old 07-27-2018, 10:06 PM
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If you can, sand it with successively finer grits, say 320 through 1000, polish it til it gleams, then cold blue it. The smoother the finish, the more rust resistant it will be. Ever notice how kitchen knives that go in the sink are polished? That's because the smoother the surface, the less area is presented to air and moisture to oxidize, making them more"stainless".
Ospho or some other "rust converter" will work too, but it will convert the steel rust surface to iron phosphate, a dark gray, rust resistant finish similar to a phosphatized military rifle barrel. I don't know whether or not it will take bluing - I doubt it.

Last edited by ameridaddy; 07-27-2018 at 10:08 PM.
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Old 07-27-2018, 10:09 PM
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Go to you tube and watch Presto blue pen with the blue cap.Trust me a 60 second repair.
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Old 07-28-2018, 08:24 AM
MetalMan MetalMan is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Laketime View Post
Go to you tube and watch Presto blue pen with the blue cap.Trust me a 60 second repair.
This seems to be a great idea but the product appears to be discontinued. It’s not not available through Birchwood-Casey or any of the usual online retailers.

Has this been replaced by the “Super Black” pen?

Is there something else which may be similar to the original Presto gun blue pen?

EDIT - *****Found it at Numrich*****

Last edited by MetalMan; 07-28-2018 at 08:39 AM.
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Old 07-28-2018, 08:32 AM
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Thumbs up screw requalify....

you have to remove any and all the rust then it is up to you to get it dipped in Hot blue ( if you know any one who does that , get friendly with your local FULL service gun shop), or get it "black oxide' that can be done at an industrial company, because all of the cold blues are temporary, and will not hold up well, I've tried and used them all, over the past 50 plus years, and stick with 44/40 from Gun parts, you can also polish it out, heat it up and quench in oil for a "blued" effect...I prefer the darker, black oxide, which is also a the newer Dulite blue finish more dark than blue.........
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Old 07-28-2018, 10:31 AM
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New grips would be the way too go that has a SS screw
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Old 07-28-2018, 11:24 AM
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Oyster is correct. Don't polish it to shiny. Leave the light coat of rust on it. Put it in a pan of boiling water for about 1/2 an hour, This will make the rust turn black and "fix" it. Bluing is just a type of rust. Once boiled, warm it up to about 300-400f and dunk it in oil.
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Old 07-28-2018, 12:42 PM
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Just as a point of reference Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner will remove bluing, rust and even Glock black coating. It has a pleasant smell you just have to leave it soak a little longer.

Drop the screws in a bottle of Perma Blue for an hour then rinse in oil. Bluing is a form of controlled rusting. The oil rinse stop the process.

While the screws are in the white is a good time to touch up the screws heads with a file and stoning to make it look brand new! Enjoy!
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Old 07-28-2018, 01:18 PM
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Wow, so many options and opinions. Cold blue works fine for touching up screw heads. Wrap the screw threads with a few turns of electrical tape, chuck it in a drill press, run the head against some 320 grit paper backed with a pine board, clean with acetone and cold blue.

Jeff

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Old 07-28-2018, 02:46 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MetalMan View Post
This seems to be a great idea but the product appears to be discontinued. It’s not not available through Birchwood-Casey or any of the usual online retailers.

Has this been replaced by the “Super Black” pen?

Is there something else which may be similar to the original Presto gun blue pen?

EDIT - *****Found it at Numrich*****
They sell two ,the black cap is black paint to cover up plastic guns.The blue cap is a clear liquid that actually blues the steel.Way too popular to ever be discontinued.Check Midway USA .
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Old 07-28-2018, 05:11 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Laketime View Post
Check Midway USA .
Nope, sorry......

Midway only carries the Presto Mag gun blue. I also found this product today at WalMart.

I appreciate all of the great, helpful responses that have been posted in regard my very small issue!

I did order the Presto Gun Blue pen from Numrich today. I’ll use this first to touch up a small spot on one of my Model 36’s that’s in a very discrete place to see how it works. But from what I can see by watching the YouTube videos, it’s not rocket science.

I think that I’ll also try the boil, broil and oil process on the screw (as suggested by “steelslayer”) and, should this not work out, follow-up with the touch-up pen.

Last edited by MetalMan; 07-28-2018 at 05:18 PM.
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Old 07-28-2018, 06:03 PM
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Blued parts that continue to rust were not properly neutralized after bluing so the rust is coming from within.

Soak the screw over night in a strong solution of baking soda and water to neutralize the bluing agents. Rinse and dry.
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Old 07-29-2018, 11:25 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MetalMan View Post
Nope, sorry......

Midway only carries the Presto Mag gun blue. I also found this product today at WalMart.

I appreciate all of the great, helpful responses that have been posted in regard my very small issue!

I did order the Presto Gun Blue pen from Numrich today. I’ll use this first to touch up a small spot on one of my Model 36’s that’s in a very discrete place to see how it works. But from what I can see by watching the YouTube videos, it’s not rocket science.

I think that I’ll also try the boil, broil and oil process on the screw (as suggested by “steelslayer”) and, should this not work out, follow-up with the touch-up pen.
When you get the pen just go over the needed area,then rub it in and off with your fingers.Do this three or four times to completely fix the area.Then use a napkin with cold water to wipe area to get the chemical off so that it doesn't continue to rust.then wipe with oil.I have used this to touch up areas on my 15-2, and it actually matches the old carbona blue pretty good.I have also used it on parkerized finish with the same result.It is as if it somehow mimics the original finish. I did have to repeat process on both guns after two years since it is not a permanent fix.Best of all is that the repairs are mess free and done in under five minutes.

Last edited by Laketime; 07-29-2018 at 11:29 AM.
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Old 08-02-2018, 05:36 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MetalMan View Post
I noticed a few days ago that the head of the grip screw in my Uncle Mike’s 59010 J-Frame boot grip had begun to show some considerable rust.

Grip is attached to my current EDC, a 1988 Model 60ND, 2” bbl.

I was able to clean off the rust using just a small amount Mothers Mag polish and was also able to clean into the slot. When done, the screw seemed to retain all of its black color.

As it actually looked pretty good when I was done, I applied a coat of RenWax and re-inserted the screw.

After a couple of days, the rust appears to be returning.

May I assume that I can just paint the screw head with some rust-preventive paint? Will this be a longer-term fix?

Finding a replacement screw also seems a bit of a challenge. I even wrote to Uncle Mike’s (now Bushnell) and they responded that the part is no longer available.

I know that this is a minor issue, but any suggestions for a more permanent fix or where I might be able to locate a suitable replacement would be appreciated.

Grip Screws are probably the most common and first part of a gun to rust. After all, that is where your sweaty hands are touching the gun the most.

You can keep the screw head lightly oiled however eventually it will rust anyway. You can also keep cleaning off the rust and re-bluing the screw but that only lasts a while. I prefer to high polish the screw head with Flitz and keep it that way. Even though there is no bluing or protective coating, the smooth and high polish is much easier to keep rust free and in the event you do get a few specs of rust, just hit it with a little Flitz and a Dremel Flannel Wheel. BTW, not only does the Flitz shine up the screw and remove minor rusting, it also leaves a protective layer on the screw head.
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