Hi All,
I picked up a used revolver yesterday, and I’m wondering if the black specs on it are rust? I’ve tried Hoppes and some Flitz with a little improvement, but I wanted to ask everyone how to deal with it?
Thanks
Rust on Stainless?
- Thread starter JLM
- Start date
Hi All,
I picked up a used revolver yesterday, and I’m wondering if the black specs on it are rust? I’ve tried Hoppes and some Flitz with a little improvement, but I wanted to ask everyone how to deal with it?
Thanks
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Looks like pitting to me. Live with it, keep it oiled, or polish them out and redo satin look with grey scotch right pad.
If it is pitting I would leave it alone. The more you mess with it, the worse it will end up looking.
That is not rust as others have said. But if you have to remove rust fro SS read this.
How to Get Rust Off Stainless Steel | HowStuffWorks
How to Get Rust Off Stainless Steel | HowStuffWorks
Looks like some light pitting to me...
Personally, I wouldn't mess with trying to rub that out with abrasives, as your likely to just create scratches in the adjacent areas. If it was light surface rust you could remove it with a gray scotch bright pad and some solvent, but pitting is usually too deep. YMMV.
This said, a good gun smith could probably do something with it, I'd check with one for an opinion if it's important for you to fix it..
Personally, I wouldn't mess with trying to rub that out with abrasives, as your likely to just create scratches in the adjacent areas. If it was light surface rust you could remove it with a gray scotch bright pad and some solvent, but pitting is usually too deep. YMMV.
This said, a good gun smith could probably do something with it, I'd check with one for an opinion if it's important for you to fix it..
Looks like light pitting from oxidation. There appear to be some small spots near the thumbpiece and frame lug as well. Take a look under the rubber grips, there may be additional oxidation on the grip frame.
After cleaning, apply a coat of a good quality rust preventer..... like CorrosionX, Barricade, or 100% lanolin. This will help prevent the spots where pitting has ocurred from getting worse.
After cleaning, apply a coat of a good quality rust preventer..... like CorrosionX, Barricade, or 100% lanolin. This will help prevent the spots where pitting has ocurred from getting worse.
gwpercle
Member
OOOO steel wool and oil, may not remove a pit but will clean out/off any corrosion.
Yes stainless can rust. It is regular steel with a high content of chromium ....stainless but not rust proof.
Keep them wiped down with the rust preventative of your choice.
Any wax based product , like Birchwood Casey Barricade or good old Johnson's Paste wax or a pure Carnauba automotive wax will stay on longer.....a wax job also makes gun look pretty, even on blued guns !
Great photo...
Gary
Yes stainless can rust. It is regular steel with a high content of chromium ....stainless but not rust proof.
Keep them wiped down with the rust preventative of your choice.
Any wax based product , like Birchwood Casey Barricade or good old Johnson's Paste wax or a pure Carnauba automotive wax will stay on longer.....a wax job also makes gun look pretty, even on blued guns !
Great photo...
Gary
Thanks. This is the first I’ve come across this appearance. The gun was so bone dry when I got it that I could hardly adjust the windage on the rear sight. I took the sideplate off and wiped it a bit and lubed but I need to detail strip and clean/lube it.
Arik
Member
A little putting. No big deal
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
I've removed some rust with 1000 grit sand paper. Just sand a little bit then quit and if some of the rust goes away great and if it doesn't don't try any more. If you get greedy you will make the gun look worse.
SweetMK
Member
99% of the time,, "rust" on stainless comes from "transfer".
Steel will transfer onto stainless steel,, just like the paint is "traded" on the cars during a NASCAR race.
During manufacture, steel tools are used to make the stainless steel part.
Some of the steel from the related tooling can become attached to the stainless steel part.
Usually, the stainless steel part is dipped in acid to etch away any steel.
These spots look like steel that eluded the acid bath.
Steel will transfer onto stainless steel,, just like the paint is "traded" on the cars during a NASCAR race.
During manufacture, steel tools are used to make the stainless steel part.
Some of the steel from the related tooling can become attached to the stainless steel part.
Usually, the stainless steel part is dipped in acid to etch away any steel.
These spots look like steel that eluded the acid bath.
Do not use steel wool unless you know its stainless steel wool. Regular steel will leave small amounts of iron worked into the stainless and it can cause surface rust.
But, stainless steel is stain less not stain never.
But, stainless steel is stain less not stain never.
ridgewalker
Member
Yes don’t use steel wool on stainless steel because they will leave microscopic deposits of steel which will rust and start the stainless rusting. You can use copper wool which is available at paint supply stores and better hardware stores. Depending on how much rust you need to remove, I recommend soaking in Kroil, abrading lightly with copper wool and repeating a few times a day until rust is gone.
Ole Joe Clark
Absent Comrade
If you put a magnet on your stainless firearm you will see that it is magnetic. Non magnetic SS (300 series) is too soft for firearms use. Almost all SS firearms are made from 400 series, 440 SS come to mind. It is heat treatable.
Have a blessed day,
Leon
Have a blessed day,
Leon
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Stainless Steel is NOT rust proof - only rust resistant. I have purchased NIB S&W stainless guns (from an authorized S&W dealer) and there have been examples that have had some light rust on them - especially under the grips.
The good part is that most rust on stainless guns is easily removed and easier to prevent. Always check under the grips when bringing home a new Stainless gun.
The good part is that most rust on stainless guns is easily removed and easier to prevent. Always check under the grips when bringing home a new Stainless gun.
Arquebus357
Member
Any attempt to remove that pitting will spoil the satin finish on that piece. On the other hand you could just high polish the entire gun. It's impossible to replicate the factory finish.
If you like the satin finish (I do), leave it alone. High polish means constant removal of fingerprints etc.
Protect with Renaissance Wax, except the grips unless you like handling a wet bar of soap.
If you like the satin finish (I do), leave it alone. High polish means constant removal of fingerprints etc.
Protect with Renaissance Wax, except the grips unless you like handling a wet bar of soap.
