Rust removal tips?

U

u96

Well-known member
Hi. I'd like to remove the surface rust seen in the attached pics. Obviously, I don't want to damage the finish. Is there a way to do this without leaving signs that it was done? I've been told steel wool is an option. What do you think? Thanks!
 

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Kroil oil and bronze wool. Scrub gently and be patient. Bronze wool will not harm the finish either but don't use steel wool.
 
Even a bronze brush could do the trick. I've had good luck with a Break-Free overnight soak first. Any ideas on removing rust stains from a helmet cover?
 
oldcorps said:
Even a bronze brush could do the trick. I've had good luck with a Break-Free overnight soak first. Any ideas on removing rust stains from a helmet cover?
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Nothing. Anything you do may make it worse. I guess you could soak it in water and special soap used to clean antique quilts. It's very mild. Best is to do nothing though, maybe lightly vacuum and lightly brush.
 
Thanks all. Kroil and bronze pads on the way. I think I'll be conservative and just soak the trigger guard and floorplate in kroil overnight and see if I can avoid scrubbing.

Does it matter what type (composition) container I soak in?
 
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Soaking has worked well for me.

Here's some pictures of a Gew98 buttplate I cleaned up with a kroil oil dip back in January.

before pic.jpg 064.jpg 065.jpg
 
Kroil snd 5x steel wool, soak for days....sometimes I wrap in Saran Wrap to keep the Kroil in place.
I've soaked items for months and had heavy rust come completely off less some stains.


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Dawkind said:
Kroil snd 5x steel wool, soak for days....sometimes I wrap in Saran Wrap to keep the Kroil in place.
I've soaked items for months and had heavy rust come completely off less some stains.


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Keep it soaked in WD40 for 4 days. After that hit it with number 4 steel wool then using a white piece of cloth like underwear t-shirt rub it with turpentine.

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Don't use steel wool, it could damage the finish regardless of what others have experienced, if they did without harming the finish they just got lucky.


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After a once over with Gunslick gun cleaner and gun oil. Much better on the receiver but it seems I'll need the bronze pads for the floorplate.
 

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Very interesting thread.
But no one didn't speak about the use of oxalic acid. This organic compound main applications include cleaning or bleaching, especially for the removal of rust.
It won't harm the finish, paint or decals. Here two pictures of a helmet (not mine) before/after.
oxaalzuur.jpg
 
for the 1 millionth time NO STEEL WOOL and not brass colored brillo either, get brass/bronze from Brownells

that is bubba advice

some fool and gun boards is advocating its use the moderators do not want to shut this loser down

NO STEEL WOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Brownells has three grades of bronze wool, course, medium, and fine. I recommend a small bag of each. That and some ballistol on a rag. Also a bronze brush to get I tight areas. Go slow, wipe off excess often and oil so the little rust bits don't become an abrasive. Bronze will is good for other uses as well.
 
sprat said:
for the 1 millionth time NO STEEL WOOL and not brass colored brillo either, get brass/bronze from Brownells

that is bubba advice

some fool and gun boards is advocating its use the moderators do not want to shut this loser down

NO STEEL WOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

While your yelling might be a bit extreme.. :laugh: I 100% agree with you and the others. Stop with the steel wool already. Anyone that says they used it and didn't damage the finish is either VERY lucky or a liar. Plenty of examples of destroyed finishes caused by steel wool.
 
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...brasives/metal-wool/bronze-wool-prod7391.aspx

The argument is that steel wool is milder steel than what it is being used upon. That is probably the case, but who knows. Also, a problem with it is that it picks up the rust and steel that it removes and that then becomes an abrasive. I can think of no good reason to use 000 or 0000 steel wool on a firearm when better alternatives are available, i.e., bronze wool and bronze gun cleaning brushes.
 
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