Light rust removal...

[Federalis]

Came by a nice little M36 that is in really great shape except for some surface rust on the backstrap only. I was gonna attack it with some oil and 0000 steel wool. Will this be my best choice to knock this stuff off without doing damage to the blueing? Gimme some suggestions and thanks... TW

 

[TAROMAN]

I would soak it overnight in Kroil, EEZOX or similar and then polish it off with bronze wool. 0000 steel is good, too.
Mind you, the bluing will show damage, just a matter of how bad the rust was.

 

[JohnK]

Ditch the steel wool, and use Chore Boys copper pads. Use Breakfree with it, and you will be good to go.

Some still recommend steel wool, but steel WILL scratch steel (and bluing). Ask me how I know. Duh....Experience IS a good teacher.

 

[les45]

That is what I have always used and never had a problem. Actually does a pretty good job on light surface rust and minor freckling. Some folks will say that the steel wool particles will cause rust later but I've never found that to be the case. The key is to spray it liberally with oil before and after and wipe it down good when you finish. I also have done this on my old milsurp bolt actions and it would make an old one look new again. I've had some of my old military guns for 30 years now with no sign of rust from the steel wool.

 

[harvester1]

Big 45 metal cleaner works great. Big 45 Frontier Metal Cleaner

 

[gwpercle]

I just sucessfully removed the rust from the backstrap of a police carried model 58 . The backstap was the worst part, being exposed while on duty.
On another revolver the steel wool / oil was too. aggressive and got down to bare steel before before removing all the rust. The secret...Turtle Wax Chrome Polish and Rust Remover. I saturated small patches and rubbed the area until the patch was brown, then got another patch, saturated and rubbed again...when the patches stopped turning brown the rust was removed and any finish was left. It doesn't put a new blue job on but it will leave any color/patina that remains. I used it all over the metal parts and it did a wonderful job cleaning, removing rust and polishing.
I like the Turtle Wax method a lot better than the steel wool/oil method.
gary

 

[Zjnovak]

x2 on either brass wool or copper pads. Make sure to use a sufficient amount of lube or cleaner.

 

[GJH77]

Big 45 metal cleaner works great. Big 45 Frontier Metal Cleaner

I will second this product. It has worked great on several guns for me, and I can see no damage to the remainder of the blueing.

 

[Plottman Pops]

Have for years used a Kroil soaked paper poke and an all copper penny ( has to be one from before they started putting alloy in them) after soaking the paper poke (bag) and with the stocks off I wrap the poke around the affected area and let stand over night. remove the poke and ever so lightly rub the penny on the area usually will clean it and smooth it right out

 

[kennyb]

i too vote to start with kroil...works great

 

[Federalis]

Thanks to all, I think the Kroil and bronze or steel wool should do the trick!

 

[sonora]

Use bronze wool. It is gentler than 0000 steel wool. I had the same problem, used bronze wool and some gun oil. Worked great. Sonora

 

[chief38]

However you remove the rust............ keep it oiled in the future to prevent its return.