how to remove tiny rust spots???

Daimler1989 · Mar 27, 2014

Hi,

I got a 27-2 5" today. Very nice gun, obviously less than one box of rounds fired. Locks tight and handles great. But unfortunately the previous owner might have stored it a little bit too dry and so there are some fine surface rust spots on the barrel and on the cylinder. Otherwise blueing is ok. How do I get rid of those rust spots without damaging the blueing?

Photographs to follow, I'm trying it on the range this evening

Serial # is N 419764 - does someone know when it was manufactured?

best regards from Germany
Ulrich

c3006 · Mar 27, 2014

You can't! Any rubbing you do with a abrasive strong enough to remove rust will have some effect on the blueing around it. Try 0000 steel wool and a good gun oil very lightly and use your best judgment when to stop. Good luck. c

nedlate · Mar 27, 2014

Sounds like a nice gun!

I have used Flitz with good results. Just don't get too aggressive with it. It is a mild abrasive so it could and will remove a little bluing. A little bit rubbed on a cloth and then on the rust spots. I bought the 1.76 oz tube at ACE Hardware. It lasts a long time.
Ed

Flitz Metal, Plastic, & Fiberglass Polish - Paste 5.29oz. Tube

Salty RI · Mar 27, 2014

Last year a friend of mine was given an old 22 rifle and it was covered with surface rust, I took some wd-40 and 0000 steel wool came out good. Just go over it lightly when done go over it again with gun oil.

Bekeart · Mar 27, 2014

DO NOT USE STEEL WOOL!

DO NOT USE STEEL WOOL! It is hard enough to remove the blue.

Brownells sells brass wool and copper wool. These are not as hard as the blued steel and will not scratch it.

Grocery store sell Shore-Boy and other brands of copper pot cleaners. Get the all copper ones. Some are copper plated steel.

Oil the copper pot cleaner and scrub the rust off. I use 30 weight motor oil for the cleaning. AFTER the rust is gone is the time to clean up and use the more expensive gun oil.

Bekeart

O2Guy · Mar 27, 2014

Rub with bronze wool and some oil and it will greatly help with any rust or freckles. Bronze wool seems to be a pretty well kept secret but is great for jobs like this.

Pisgah · Mar 27, 2014

I use a scraper fashioned from a short length of 1/2" copper tubing hammered flat on one end. An old copper penny works as well, but the scraper is handier to use. Liberally apply gun oil and scrape away -- rust is removed without harm to the finish. You will see a coppery residue, but it wipes right off.

c3006 · Mar 27, 2014

Bronze wool is great if you can find it or want to order it but 0000 steel wool and a little good sense will get the job done. Like I said any abrasive including bronze wool will remove existing finish,there is no magic bullet.

whataboutbob · Mar 27, 2014

made in 1977-1978

PMRet · Mar 27, 2014

Fine grade bronze wool (available at Ace Hardware stores) and Kroil has always worked well for me.

JSR III · Mar 27, 2014

I agree with those recommending 0000 copper or brass wool. Lots of oil and rubbing gently will remove most light freckling. Once done, remove the oil with alcohol and wipe dry. Apply a coat of Renaissance Wax and you are good to go. Do not store guns in oil unless you maintain them on a regular basis. Oil attracts dust and when the oil dries up, you are left with the dust. The dust then attracts moisture and moisture causes rust. Most gun freckling is caused by dust. This is why we wax our cars, to prevent rust.

This is also an excellent way to stop or prevent the rust that occurs under the wood stocks on most handguns. Wood also attracts moisture and stocks left on a handgun will cause frame rust. The wax creates a barrier that prevents this.

Hope that helps.

ispcapt · Mar 27, 2014

The very first thing to try for light rust is a pencil erasure. Start with pencil type. If that doesn't get it all then move to an ink erasure. They're a lot less abrasive than even 0000 steel wool and oil. They will only remove light rust and won't affect any of the blueing.

raisedin99 · Mar 27, 2014

Use a #2 or harder pencil… no, not the eraser, the graphite point and rub the small spots away afterwards wipe away the graphite.

terry

Daimler1989 · Mar 27, 2014

thanks everyone, will try to get some bronze wool and test it.

regards
Ulrich

The Rattler · Mar 27, 2014

You should consider a product caled Big 45 Frontier Metal Cleaner. It was recommended to me by a long time dealer in British Enfield WW I & WW II rifles. I also saw it recommended on another post that I believe was on this Forum. It says it will remove rust but not bluing. That is what the rifle trader said too. I just bought the product ($6.00) from the company website, but haven't used it yet. The rifle trader said it can be purchased from army surplus stores. The company is located in Soux Falls S.D.

eveled · Mar 27, 2014

I've used a flattened cartridge case as a scraper. Do it dry, the rust is an abrasive keep blowing the dust off. Then oil on a rag. Sometimes the rust spot you see is on top of the blueing, with just a pinhole in the finish. Ed

Timbo22 · Mar 27, 2014

Use bronze or copper wool and oil and GENTLY rub the rusty areas. Bronze wool is sold by ship chandlers (maritime supply stores) for boat owners to polish their metalwork and keep rust in check. Germany has a strong maritime tradition, both ocean going and via rivers and canals, so you should be able to find bronze wool locally. I also use it around the house in the kitchen and bathroom for the sinks and water faucets. Steel wool is too abrasive for use on firearms and copper coins are hard to find these days, most are mainly zinc.
After you remove the rust, degrease the surface and then wax the firearm to form an air proof barrier to prevent further oxidation (rust).
Good luck! I love my two 27-2s.

ben_g1 · Mar 27, 2014

If just a few freckling spots I use an older (1964-) penny and oil. The sharp edge of the penny's lip lets you scratch off the rust without removing any more of the blueing other than what the rust already has.

BigBill · Mar 27, 2014

I just took two lesser valued revolvers that had light freckling and turned them into excellent condition guns using the Simi-Chrome polish lightly using a soft rag. Just don't tell everyone about this trick.

jsfricks · Mar 27, 2014

As others have stated, use bronze wool and oil. What I do is remove grips and soak gun in gallon bag with the gun covered in Kroil. Then remove the gun after an overnight soak and use a copper penny on any small specks and rub lightly with bronze wool (Ace Hardware). I had one a few weeks ago that I did this way and had a small speck of rust on the ejector shroud and after a rub with the copper penny is flaked right off! I believe the Kroil had a lot to do with this. Steel wool will scratch steel! Bronze wool will not with light pressure.

how to remove tiny rust spots???

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