Removal of Light Surface Rust

[Billy Gross]

Do you all have any recommendations as to a good method to remove light surface rust without harming the bluing or metal? Thanx, Billy

[Mark Landskov]

Brass bristled brushes, bronze wool and brass scrapers work wonders. You will not affect any remaining finish, or patina, with these implements. I use reg'lar gun oil or Hoppe's No. 9 with the aforementioned items. Good Luck!

[John Powers]

I would recommend Ballistol and XXXX fine steel wool with the oil socked into the wool. It will only remove light surface rust. The Ballistol will get into the porous metal and remove rust and protect the steel from future rust. Thanks

[Rick Losey]

beware of steel wool on blueing

many of us prefer frontier pads
http://www.exploreproducts.com/big45-frontier-gun-cleaner.htm

[Eric Estes]

Frontier 45 pads are great and will not hurt bluing or case colors. You can find them online from a number of sites and at some gun shows.

[Kevin McCormack]

Frontier 45 pads are it - XXXX steel wool with oil or Hoppe's will leave light areas where you rubbed out rust on bluing. F 45 pads are made like weaving 'Slinkys" into a pad. Each outer edge of the strand is sharpened like a razor blade and cuts rust & surface corrosion off the surface of the metal. They do wear down and should be replaced periodically.

[Brian Dudley]

Frontier pads yes... However, i have never had an issue using 0000 steel wool with G96 on blued surfaces. I have taken several barrel sets with light surface freckling, but good bluing , and had them end up looking excellent that way.

[Billy Gross]

Thanx guys - I have ordered the Frontier pads, and I will try that with either Ballistol or G96. BTW, I bought a fantastic 16 Ga Winchester Model 21 at the Baltimore show. It is a Trap grade Skeet Gun with 28" Barrels and is exactly as lettered from 1937, all original and in great shape. There was just a little surface rust on the top tang by the Safety Slide Switch. I got some of it off today with the Ballistol and a cotton patch. I suspect I will get it all with the Frontier pad. Thanx for your help, Billy

[John Cinkoske]

Using the Frontier pad with oil would be safest.
If you have Sperm Oil, dab some on the rust with a fingertip, allowing it to soak into the rust (I've let it set for a week or so) can liquefy it so you don't have to scrub as hard with the Frontier pad. The whale oil doesn't adversely effect the blue.

[Phillip Carr]

I use the 45 pads followed by a soft terry cloth and Turtle Wax Chrome polish and rust remover. I have done dozens of barrels with no ill effects and great results. Really takes care of the rust. I follow with a good oil, and rub down. Try it under the forend portion of the barrel first and check your results. I really like how the Turtle Wax takes care of the top rib matting area.

[Kevin McCormack]

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES LET SPERM OIL CONTACT THE WOOD ON YOUR GUN!!!

Last year the best stock man in the country spent about 3 months and $100s of dollars of my money trying to extract sperm whale oil from the head of my stock. After 3 complete solvent extractions, each of which involved about 4 steps, he felt confident that most of it had been removed. He told me it is the absolute worst type of oil to remove from any kind of wood. Interestingly enough, it was the premier lubricating oil "Back In The Day" (1920s-early 1930s) for guns, fishing reels, cameras, and other mechanical goods.

[Billy Gross]

Ballistol says it contains mineral oil and does not say anything about sperm oil. It also says it is OK for stocks. However, I was careful not to get any on the stock. Ballistol does smell fishy - does it contain sperm oil? Thanx, Billy

[Rick Losey]

no new product contains sperm whale oil

[Paweł Janusz]

#0000 steel wool with oil, gentle rub medium pressure, time does the job here not pressure. deep rust will leave silver spot when removed.