Light rust spots on my newly acquired M60

[JohnnieBoy]

I ended up buying the early 1970's Model 60 I had asked about here a week ago. I pick it up on Tuesday (CA 10 day wait). During the inspection, I did notice a couple of very light rust spots on the gun, 1 on the cylinder and the other on the left side frame below the cylinder. The gun sat in a safe basically unattended for 35+ years.

What is the safest and easiest way to remove the light rust spots from this beautiful little stainless steel M60?

 

[Chromedhearts]

Are you sure that's not something like dried lubricant or some other substance that would clean off with some elbow grease?


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[JohnnieBoy]

Like I said, they are light rust spots, can't really be seen in these seller's ad pics. I will take better pics on Tuesday when I pick the gun up from jail. I am going to try some Kroil and a micro fiber rag first but I just wondered if anyone had a recommendation for any other 'magic' light cleaner, maybe like Brasso? I'm hoping the spots will come out easily. I have heard that bronze wool works but does it scratch the surface of the ss?

 

[linde]

. . . they are light rust spots . . . I am going to try some Kroil and a micro fiber rag first but I just wondered if anyone had a recommendation for any other 'magic' light cleaner, maybe like Brasso? I'm hoping the spots will come out easily. I have heard that bronze wool works but does it scratch the surface of the ss?

Your idea of using Kroil on a rag is a good first step . . . if that doesn't do the job, use lots of Kroil on 0000 bronze wool with a light touch. I would not recommend Brasso or any other abrasive metal polish unless you plan to polish the entire gun to a high luster finish.

Good luck, Russ

 

[LoboGunLeather]

0000-grade steel wool can be used to remove light surface corrosion without damaging the stainless steel finish (also safe for use on blued finishes). I recommend using it dry to polish off the corrosion, then wipe down the surfaces with an oily rag.

 

[JohnnieBoy]

0000-grade steel wool can be used to remove light surface corrosion without damaging the stainless steel finish (also safe for use on blued finishes). I recommend using it dry to polish off the corrosion, then wipe down the surfaces with an oily rag.

Hmmm... I don't think steel wool is a good idea.

 

[steelslaver]

Steel wool is a bad idea. Some of the carbon steel from the steel wool will get rubbed into the surface of the stainless and hey guess what it will rust.

When working with stainless it is best to keep carbon steel away. Even a stainless steel brush that got used on some carbon steel could well impart some of the carbon steel onto the stainless and light rust blooms result.

Plus, remember it is not nonstainable steel it is stain "less" steel.

Try a clean scotch brite pad. Rub the same direction as the fine finish lines that are already on the gun.

 

[JohnnieBoy]

Yeah, I think bronze wool is a last resort and for heavier rust issues on stainless. I did just find some info about using Mother's aluminum polish or Flitz. Anyway, I was just looking for some secrets! Kroil IS pretty amazing stuff and hopefully will be all I need in this case. I'll post pics of before & after and what I had to do to get there.

 

[KalamazooKid]

The joy of stainless, you can "repair" a lot of blemishes to like new condition if you're careful.

 

[oysterer]

soaking it in Kroil for a good while is great. Then maybe a bronze brush. The last resort would be large patch and Flitz polish, lightly and in the direction of the brushing. This will turn the finish a little glossier. Nothing else.

 

[Arquebus357]

Or...you could just dunk it into some Evapo-Rust and the rust will just disappear as if by wizardry.

 

[BigBill]

STOP, BACK AWAY FROM THAT GUN WITH THE STEELWOOL. We will address that later.

My last three purchased were said to have light freckling. The orange color turned out to be dried gun oil. All three are 99.99% condition. The simi chrome polish on a soft rag removed the dried oil.

I only use 0000 steelwool when I'm rebluing the gun or removing light pits on the finish.

Light freckling to me means light rust. But the orange color in the picture I had said it's dried oil.

I purchased a H&R Little 22lr revolver in person I met the seller. He told me the gun was in nickel. The finish looked like nickel and had that piss yellow look to it. I wanted to service the gun who knows how long has it been lubed. One area looked very shiney. I tried simi chrome polish and found out it's a chrome plated revolver. In the h&r book they did come in chrome

Has anyone tried polishing the colt electro plating nickel finish.? I wonder if it will polish up from the dull bead blasted look?

 

[mrchuck]

Take off the wood grips.
Spray on Kroil on all metal.
Spray again after several hours, and then let it stay on for 24 hours.
Use very fine steel wool and scrub the rust spots till the rust area is gone.
You do NOT want to harm the bluing.
I do this on all the nasty spots on firearms I take in trade.
Works 100% for me.
Also the bore will come out clean too by using a bore brush.
Put the nice factory grips back on and you will have a beautiful vintage revolver you will cherish for a lifetime.