Purchased model 36 serial number 1593xx which I think dates about 1958. The gun has storage rust and I would like to clean it up, what works the best? I don't want to restore only clean it up a bit. All ideas appericated.
Model 36 rust
- Thread starter pipeliner
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Sebago Son
Member
I've had good success from immersion in Marvel's Mystery Oil (remove the stocks first) for a couple of day before attempting to remove heavy scale. PH-2's got the right idea too...
If the rust is not that bad, WD-40 and clean patchcloth works pretty well too. Remember that the first couple of passes over the gun will lift iron oxide and this is an abrasive. Discard the patches frequently to prevent scrathes...
If the rust is not that bad, WD-40 and clean patchcloth works pretty well too. Remember that the first couple of passes over the gun will lift iron oxide and this is an abrasive. Discard the patches frequently to prevent scrathes...
Dragon88
Member
Remove the stocks and soak the whole gun in Kano Kroil for a few hours. Then wipe and check the results. If you want to get more aggressive after that, you can consider a polish like Mother's. Go easy and use just your fingers and clean cotton cloth, NO DREMEL! 
Remember that if there is pitting, that cannot be removed without a refinish. Don't polish and polish trying to get rid of it and thin the remaining bluing.
After you are done, oil the gun, wipe clean, reinstall the stocks, and enjoy. Personally I find 36s with a little carry wear even more attractive than a pristine model. These guns are meant to be used and carried.
Remember that if there is pitting, that cannot be removed without a refinish. Don't polish and polish trying to get rid of it and thin the remaining bluing.After you are done, oil the gun, wipe clean, reinstall the stocks, and enjoy. Personally I find 36s with a little carry wear even more attractive than a pristine model. These guns are meant to be used and carried.
Frank46
US Veteran
Get some 0000 extra fine steel wool and something like clp. Oil rusty surface to make sure it has good coverage and then use the 4/0 steel wool by gently rubbing the affected areas. Wipe off with paper towel if ok then put some regular gun oil to prevent further rusting. If it does not look good then repeat the process as many times as you feel it needs to take. This will not remove pitting. I recently bought a rem 870 police shotgun. BBl and receiver were literally covered in lite rust. Couple hours later with 4/0 steel wool and some clp and you would never know it was the same shotgun. Frank
Bronze wool and a good gun oil should do the trick. Wipe the surfaces down as the rust lifts and change the wool often. Don't use steel wool as that will leave scratches behind. Bronze wool will clean the rust and not damage the original polish or bluing.
For light surface rust you don't want to get too aggresive. I finde Corrosion X to be excellent. Wipe down with a patch saturated in it, and let it sit a few hours and then wipe off with a clean patch (I use 12 ga cleaning patch's). Wipe easily, not hard. If that doesn't do it, saturate again and let stand another few hours then wipe off "lightly" with bronze wool, making sure there is plenty of the corrosion X on the finish. Clean off with any good cleaner or denatured alcohol and if O.K. put a coat of Rennasiance wax on it.
Sebago Son
Member
Corrosion-X is amazing stuff.... I've just started using it in automotive applications and I am impressed with it's abilities... I'm giving away several cans for Christmas!
DGNY
Member
+2 on the Corrosion-X. Excellent product. And an excellent point above that iron oxide is itself an ornery abrasive, and requires careful wiping away, especially in the early stages of work
I would refrain from abrasive pads under all circumstances.
Best,
Dyson
I would refrain from abrasive pads under all circumstances.
Best,
Dyson
