Removing rust from blueing

[GaryN]

Hi All, Does anyone know of a good product for removing rust without removing the blueing on a gun? I got some on a gun and figured this is the best place to ask.

[Mooseman]

Gun oil or ATF, or even WD40 and 000 steel wool works great. Rub carefully.
Rich

[shotman]

Brownells has a stainless steel sponge that works good. It dont scratch the blueing
Item number is 080-000-321AA
You better get 2 packs because wife will have then in the kitchen

[warf73]

If its light rust a pink earser works great, if its a little worse than that then 0000 steel wool with WD40 works great.

[Jason30-30]

X3 WD-40 And 0000 Steel Wool Works GREAT Just Dont Apply Too Much Pressure

[smoked turkey]

The stainless steel sponge works good for me. I got mine at Midway long time ago. I usually try it first before the 0000 and light oil.

[stubshaft]

Four oh steel wool and Kroil work for the light stuff. One trick I learned years ago was if there is pitting spritz it with Kroil or WD-40 and use the edge of a penny to scrape away the loose rust it won't harm the bluing will remove the loose scale while depositing a layer of copper to inhibit rust.

[M1A4ME]

I've always used the 0000 steel wool and 3n1 oil or WD40. Won't remove the pits but it'll remove the surface rust. An indication of how much rust you're getting will show as the oil turns reddish brown.

[Two Eyed Jack]

I have had good luck with Flitz metal polish and a soft rag.

[imashooter2]

I like to use 4 aught steel wool, but with ATF. Sometimes thinned 50/50 with kerosene. The surfactants and antioxidants in ATF make it a good choice for this application.

[c3d4b2]

I have had good luck with light oil and 0000 steel wool. A friend recommended using RB-17 and 0000 steel wool and this combination seems to work better.

http://www.pjsproducts.com/rb17.htm

[MtGun44]

000 or 0000 steel wool with G96. You will thin the bluing a bit, but generally remove 10
times as much rust as bluing. BEWARE chemical products.

BLUING IS RUST in another form, and chemicals that remove rust (non-gun applications)
usually take bluing off instantly.

Bill

[Shiloh]

I was skeptical of the stainless pads seen at a gun show, but heard good things.
Took the rust off of an old Rem Mod 12. and didn't touch the bluing.
This is good as the blueing, actually more brown, was getting pretty thin

Took care of the minor rust without damaging the bluing on a Colt auto.

Shiloh

[captaint]

I've used 4/0 steel wool and oil with success. I don't use WD40 on anything. That's not true. It will take ink stains out of a carpet!!! enjoy Mike

[KCSO]

Nevrdull wool wipes will remove the rust and NOT the blue. Comes from Brownellls and most GOOD hardware stores.

[waksupi]

Another route to go, is to pour scalding hot water over the rust to turn it into rust blue, then buff off any rough left.

[shooter93]

Blue Wonder, pretty amazing stuff

[GaryN]

Thanks for all the posts. Gives me a good idea what to do. I have tried other things in the past but I thought I would see what you guys do.

[curator]

In the museum business we use BRONZE wool, not steel wool along with a bit of oil. Bronze is softer than steel but harder than rust. Steel wool no matter how small a iber still leaves tiny scratches.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I will start with a course cloth like Denim with some Kroil...before I got to the 0000 steel wool.
I usually finish with some flitz on a soft cloth (gently), I figure that leaves a little wax to inhibit future corrosion.
I like the idea of bronze wool...thanks curator.
Jon

[cajun shooter]

If you decide to use the oil and 0000 steel wool which is what I have used for well over 40 years I think the oil that is used is very important as you want it to help lessen the amount of rubbing. My choice has always been the following products as they will loosen rust and remove it by them selves. The oil that I use are as follows
Corrosion X, Kroil,and a rust remover that ICRTN of.

[Ziptar]

0000 steel or bronze wool & Hoppe's #9. Works every time, removes the rust and doesn't hurt the bluing. In fact it perks the bluing up a bit.

[catboat]

I use a "long" brass screw. I soak the rusted area with Marvel Mystery Oil (MMO), and let it stand overnight. Then I rub the area with the threaded section of a brass screw (2-3 inches long screw). It serves as a very stiff brush to remove bumps, but is soft enough to not scratch the steel part. It will leave a yellowish residue (brass), but it wipes off with an oily rag.

I have found that steel-based rust removers (brushes, wool) tend to wear away the blueing. I don't observe that happening to anywhere near the degree, when using the brass screw rust remover.

Cheap too.

[Big Rack]

Just a caution, don't grab any old stainless steel pad. The one sold for rust removal is not SS but is an alloy that is softer than steel, while they don't come out and say so I think it's nickel or a nickle alloy and from the looks of it I'd say a smart guy said " Hey! I bet we can use these turnings for something other than scrap"
At any rate they do seem to work well with oil.