Help with rust

[Casual_Shooter]

Hi all,

I took my P220 out of the Gunvault safe I keep under our bed and it has what appears to be rust spots on the top and side of the slide.

What is the best way to remove the rust? I tried the small wire brush and cleaner that came with my cleaning kit and it didn't seem to do anything. I tried a "Blue" scotchbright pad which also didn't seem to do much.

I assume this was caused by moisture so I'll plan to put a silica pack or two in the gunvault, but aside from a coating of oil, are there other ways to keep this gun looking new? I've only put a couple hundred rounds through it and it's a bit disconcerting seeing this.

I don't live by the coast or water, but obviously moisture was/ is a problem.

Thanks in advance.

Pics:

[gordyboard02]

When i moved to the coast I encountered the same problem. I cleaned it up with clp and a brass-bristled brush then put a thin layer of a product called Barricade on it (I forget who makes it) and it worked great!

[ocspeedracer]

hmm i'll have to try that aswell

[SCMA-1]

Be sure to wipe it down with a silicone/oil impregnated cloth after each time you handle it as the salts from your sweat will leave rust spots.

[boredin818]

hmm i'll have to try that aswell

Go grab a full sized pencil eraser..... and give it a good rub. Then go buy some CLR at home depot and soak the corner of a rag in it. Dab on the CLR so you have a good amount covering the rust.... then give it a good rub down with the CLR rag corner. Afterwards, rub it with the eraser again to add shine.

Cheap and easy.

[Casual_Shooter]

When i moved to the coast I encountered the same problem. I cleaned it up with clp and a brass-bristled brush then put a thin layer of a product called Barricade on it (I forget who makes it) and it worked great!

Go grab a full sized pencil eraser..... and give it a good rub. Then go buy some CLR at home depot and soak the corner of a rag in it. Dab on the CLR so you have a good amount covering the rust.... then give it a good rub down with the CLR rag corner. Afterwards, rub it with the eraser again to add shine.

Cheap and easy.

Excellent. I'll try both of those idea.

[Purple K]

Bluing is just a controlled form of rust. Hot bluing offers only a slight amount of protection from damaging rust and cold bluing offers no protection. A light coating of oil, silicone or some other barrier to oxygen is your best defense.

[SJgunguy24]

Use 0000 steel wool and a little oil to remove that rust. Brownels makes a clear epoxy called Metal Cote. You might want to give that a look as a top clear coat to give your sig some good rust protection.

[Swift Justice]

Auto body supply places sell a product called "rust mort" which works very well and leaves a zinc phosphate coating on the (formerly) rusty areas, although I would try the fine steel wool and light oil (like 3-in-1) method first.

[Alex$]

Is it only on the left side? The gun lays on the left side, ready for a right handed person to pick it up? If your gun vault isn't air tight the dessicant pack may not adequately control the moisture in there.

Personally I would take the foam padding out and replace it with some cardboard if you are concerned about dings from a bare metal shelf. Foam can retain moisture and cause that type of contact rust.

Forgot to mention, use a good penetrating oil and let it work on the rust spot, follow it with brass brush and it should get rid of the spots. (Kroil or CLP work well)

[sacshooter1]

I had a slide coated with NP3 and my rust problems are over with.

[bobnfloyd]

My Sig P220 started rusting, not at your level but about 1/3 of that, 2 weeks after I bought it and left it in the box it came in, 2 tone, brand new from the factory. I had a slide problem and eventually sent it in, the next slide that I got, I treated it the same way and it never had a rust problem. This was a P220 I purchased in 2007. I always thought Stainless was supposed to be more resistant to rust than this. I now keep my Sigs wet with CLP and in a silicon sock with a dehumidifier in the safe.

I was told 0000 steel wool too, thankfully Sig solved my problem. I just wished their Customer Service didn't take 3 months to fix my manufacturing defect at the same time. Nice attitudes, just clueless.

[Casual_Shooter]

Is it only on the left side? The gun lays on the left side, ready for a right handed person to pick it up? If your gun vault isn't air tight the dessicant pack may not adequately control the moisture in there.

Personally I would take the foam padding out and replace it with some cardboard if you are concerned about dings from a bare metal shelf. Foam can retain moisture and cause that type of contact rust.

Forgot to mention, use a good penetrating oil and let it work on the rust spot, follow it with brass brush and it should get rid of the spots. (Kroil or CLP work well)

You nailed it. Lays on the left side. Although I think there were a few spots on the "ribbing" on the right side.

I had the same thought about changing out the foam.

Thanks guys for the suggestions.

[Casual_Shooter]

My Sig P220 started rusting, not at your level but about 1/3 of that, 2 weeks after I bought it and left it in the box it came in, 2 tone, brand new from the factory. I had a slide problem and eventually sent it in, the next slide that I got, I treated it the same way and it never had a rust problem. This was a P220 I purchased in 2007. I always thought Stainless was supposed to be more resistant to rust than this. I now keep my Sigs wet with CLP and in a silicon sock with a dehumidifier in the safe.

I was told 0000 steel wool too, thankfully Sig solved my problem. I just wished their Customer Service didn't take 3 months to fix my manufacturing defect at the same time. Nice attitudes, just clueless.

I purchased this last year and thought about contacting Sig to see what they would recommend. Might be worth an email. You never know.

[Casual_Shooter]

I had a slide coated with NP3 and my rust problems are over with.

I thought about a coating of some sort. I'll have to check out the NP3.