Remove Minor Rust

[Chuter]

Recently inherited Model 17-4 made in early 1980 with pinned barrel. According to my relative; "it got wet one time". Ok. Overall it's in very good mechanical condition with some loss of bluing in a few "water spot" looking areas but I do want to inhibit any further corrosion and stop some minor rust/pitting that has appeared. These pics show some on the left side plate and frame. I do not intend to have it re-blued. To remove the corrosion and stop further damage I'm looking for some good suggestions that will do that without removing the bluing by me attacking it with something too aggressive. Thanks for your help.

 

[Peak53]

You may have very good success using Kroil, or some other penetrating oil, but I like the way Kroil works. Rub LIGHTLY with bronze wool. Not steel wool. Look on line for both products.

 

[Bekeart]

Chore Boy WORKS!

Originally Posted by H Richard View Post
First soak the rusted part in penetrating oil, such as Kroil, for a few hours, and with it still wet with the oil, gently rub with some "copper" wool. I've been told a Chore Boy scrub pad works, but I have not used one myself. You may need to repeat this several times, depending on the amount of the rust. Do not rub too hard, as you can remove the bluing.

Copper and bronze wool can be ordered from Brownells

Chore Boy® Ultimate Copper Scrubbers
Chore Boy(R) Ultimate Copper Scrubbers | Pure Copper Scouring Pads

Some other brands are copper plated over steel - AVOID them - you want pure copper - it is softer than the steel

I use Chore Boy brand scrubbers and they work fine. Cheap and available at local grocery.
Immediate delivery and no shipping charges.
Only ACME delivering to Wilie Coyote has better service.

I keep an oiled one in and old prescription bottle under my table at shows.
Loaning it out to some other dealers has made them converts.

For removing rust I use motor oil. Figure the detergent in the oil might help keep the removed rust particles in suspension.
Wipe with cloth frequently and rinse the Chore Boy frequently.
While the copper is soft, the suspended rust particles are hard enough to scratch the blue.

Bekeart

 

[kthom]

You can also get bronze wool from Amazon. Just read carefully to make sure it says only copper. If you buy Chore Boys, have you a magnet handy. The copper ones won't be attracted to the magnet. If what you test is attracted by the magnet, put it down! Kroil is good. Let it soak a bit before you start with the bronze wool.

 

[Trooperdan]

I've had very good experience with Big 45 meatal cleaner. It is a stainless steel ( T think) that is way softer than steel and will not damage bluing. Take a look:

Big 45 Frontier Metal Cleaner | Remove Rust from Gun Bluing and Clean Dirty Gun Bores Easy!

 

[BigBill]

Where it doesn't show try oil with 0000 steelwool. Lightly. Then cold bluing with 0000 steelwool.

 

[Chuter]

The chore boy secret must be out. Stopped at the local Ace and two food stores. All carry it but all are out. Buddy at Ace will call me when they get more in and hide one for me. Merry Christmas to all!

 

[ACORN]

My local grocery store used to carry Chore Boys but I don't see them anymore. Supposedly dopers use them to fabricate pipes to smoke their poison and rather than buy them they steal them.

 

[old bear]

I Start with a good Deep cleaning. Then use C.L.P and brass or bronze wool, and a gentle touch. Second step is using Flitz polish starting with a gently hand. Third step is more Flitz and more pressure on the polishing cloth.

 

[Chuter]

Cleaned Up

Used the chore boy and Rem-Oil followed by a light rub and buff with bee's wax. Could I send it in for re-bluing, yes but I still have to debate that with myself. Took it pretty much apart except for some of the small trigger parts and didn't remove the barrel. There was some internal corrosion that cleaned up easily with oil on a cloth. A buddy had some target grips so I added them and it feels great.

 

[MajorDude]

Good job. A refinished gun is always refinished after the deed is done. I was going to suggest that I have had luck with a Kroil soak and then the old trick of gently rubbing the rust off with a (real) copper penny. It has worked a couple of times for me. I was late to this thread though!

 

[steelslaver]

Mix one quart of automatic transmission fluid with one quart of kerosene and 1 quart acetone. (should be available in hardware store paint dept). Avoid open flames while mixing. Submerse gun in solution. Wait 2 days, drip dry rub lightly with bronze wool. No more rust. Screws should all come out easy if you want to disassemble.

 

[Freischütz]

Mix one quart of automatic transmission fluid with one quart of kerosene and 1 quart acetone. (should be available in hardware store paint dept). Avoid open flames while mixing. Submerse gun in solution. Wait 2 days, drip dry rub lightly with bronze wool. No more rust. Screws should all come out easy if you want to disassemble.

That's pretty close to "Eds Red".

 

[michael1000]

3M makes a scrubbing pad out of old coke bottles-i think that wouldn't damage too much. the only thing is, they have soap impregnated, like an SOS pad. in your household cleaning supplies aisle.

 

[BigBill]

Good point, it got wet at onetime. I always worry about hunting guns. I always hit one day of monsoon rains. I have scope covers, the metal is well oiled up and I keep my scope in my arm pit. But like here what's the metal under the wood like?

I purchased a surplus military 98k which is a clone sniper rifle for the wet weather hunting.

 

[steelslaver]

That's pretty close to "Eds Red".

Yes and it is great stuff. I keep a gallon can of it mixed up in the shop for all kinds of things. You can also stick it in the plastick pump bottles.

 

[Hondo44]

Blue Wonder from Brownells, this page:

Blue Wonder at Brownells