Rusty magazine

[Richard Simmons]

I’ve got a blued mag for a Ruger SR9 with a few pretty rusted areas on it I’d like to address. The areas of rust are raised above the metal. Was thinking of a vinegar bath but since bluing is a form of rust that’s probably not a plan. There is of course Evaporust but I’m sure that would cost more than a replacement mag, though I could of course reuse it on other things.

At this point I was thinking of boiling the mag body, carding off the rust and just using a little Oxpho Blue on the rusted areas. The only other repair option I see is just wire brush the areas and cold blue.

Thoughts?

 

[WR Moore]

Depending upon how bad the rust is, red Scotchbright should take the stuff off. It's expensive, but the very best cold blue I've found is Brownells Dicropan IM. It's a commercial steel blackening chemical made for industrial use. The T4 isn't bad either and is cheaper.

 

[WILDPIG]

Oil and 0000 steel wool.

WILDPIG

 

[dfariswheel]

Soak with CLP or Kroil a day or so to soften the rust.
Apply more after soaking and scrub with a brass toothbrush to remove the rust.

After removal you can can cold blue.
The best cold blue I found is Brownell's Dicropan T4.
It gives a Black color that more closely matches modern bluing, and it's a very dark and durable color.

To use T4, thoroughly clean the metal, then spray with denatured or 91% alcohol.
Warm with a hair dryer and watch the surface. Moisture will come to the surface and evaporate, then apply a coat of T4.
Do not over heat, that causes the chemical to dry too fast.

After giving it a few seconds to work thoroughly flush with hot water, spray with alcohol, heat, and repeat.
After however many treatments you want to do, flush with really hot water, dry and apply a coat of oil.

Unlike most cold blues, after a couple of treatments T4 doesn't begin to puddle, and it seems to build up a more durable finish.
Rubbing between coats with steel wool only seems to abrade off the color you just applied, so I don't do that.

 

[stansdds]

Soak with CLP or Kroil a day or so to soften the rust.
Apply more after soaking and scrub with a brass toothbrush to remove the rust.

After removal you can can cold blue.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That is a great solution for a rusty, blued steel magazine.

 

[gwpercle]

Kerosene ... a long soak will neutralize the rust ...
remove any / all patches of rust and let long soak ...
It will not hurt the existing blue finish and the rusty spots will take on a dark finish and no longer rust ...
Old school but safe method ... I use K-1 Kerosene from Wally Mart ... used for kerosene heaters and lamps ... very pure .
Gary

 

[M1A4ME]

Oil and 0000 steel wool.

WILDPIG

Used this for years when someone brings a rusty gun to me for help with cleaning it it. Works great. Doesn't hurt the bluing when done right (oil the 0000 steel wool, lightly rub the rusty area, wipe with a cloth and see if it needs a bit more rubbing. If so, rub lightly and wipe with the cloth again.)

Years ago I shortened the barrel on my Ithaca M37 to make it a bit easier to get through the brush rabbit and grouse hunting. I took the removed piece of barrel up to the attic and laid it on a shelf. Three or four years ago I ran across it and saw it had rusted where I'd grabbed it while holding on to it. A small piece of 0000 steel wool, some oil and rubbing it a bit removed the rust and left it looking new again.

 

[Richard Simmons]

Thanks again for all the responses. I ended up using the penny trick to scape the rust spots then boiled the mag body in water for 20 minutes then swapped again and boiled for another 20. After that I went over it with 0000 steel, wiped it down with alcohol then applied Birchwood Casey Perma Blue as it’s what I had. A little oil wipe down and it looks decent.