Hi power C series rust

[2lazy4name]

Hello all,

I have a 1969 Hi Power C-Series. It's a nice shooter, but it's got some spots of rust near the muzzle end. I want to get rid of this rust because I'm worried the rust is going to allow the underlying metal to rust, but I also want to preserve the rest of the finish. Is it possible to scrape off these spots of rust, then cold blue the resultant metal underneath? Should I get a gunsmith (located in or near San Diego by the way) with the know-how to help me with this? Or is removing this rust just not worth it? Here are pictures to show you what I'm dealing with, pardon the dust.

https://imgur.com/a/d4mUVkM

[MajorSideburns]

If you want to remove that rust, you're most likely going to have to sacrifice some of the surrounding finish. What I would try first is rubbing it down with an oily cotton rag and using your finger nail to really scrape at it with the rag. Also try using a piece of plastic like an old credit card. If that works, you'll still be left with some spotting which can probably be blended with cold blue. If that doesn't work, then you can use something abrasive like steel wool and try to be as precise as possible only focusing on the spots of rust. The problem I see is you have a bunch of individual spots of rust spread out across otherwise perfect finish. Maybe you could use a rounded dremel tip with your fingers and very lightly try to scrape off the rust spots as precisely as you can without ruining the surrounding finish. Once you remove the actual layer of brown rust and see bare metal, dab the spots with cold blue. Your other alternative would be to send it somewhere to get completely stripped and refinished. Personally if it was mine, I would try the cheap option and do it myself but it depends how important a perfect finish is to you. Only you know what will make you happy.

[SDDAVE56]

I have read where people use a copper penny (pre 68 I believe) to scrape rust off.

[CSACANNONEER]

I have read where people use a copper penny (pre 68 I believe) to scrape rust off.

A nickel and a drop of oil works great.

[SVT-40]

I have read where people use a copper penny (pre 68 I believe) to scrape rust off.

It's a nickel, an older one with a drop of oil. Use the edge to scrape away the rust.

[Heatseeker]

A copper penny and a bit of ATF has worked for me many times in the past.

[2lazy4name]

Thanks for the responses, everybody. I'll try scraping away the rust with a penny and see if I can cold blue the metal underneath. Wish me luck.

[pitfighter]

Thanks for the responses, everybody. I'll try scraping away the rust with a penny and see if I can cold blue the metal underneath. Wish me luck.

Just hit the tiny marks with Cold Blue, don't accidentally do a wash over the nice hot blue. It does something to the surface of the hot blue and it's never quite the same again.

Did it with a beautiful little Colt I own, it had that lovely aged Colt blue, but it had a couple of tiny blemishes that irritated me, I thought a light wash of cold blue over the area would be fine.

I wanted to chew my arm off afterward.

*I am sure you're smarter than I am and won't make the mistake.

[ojisan]

0000 steel wool, with oil or other lube, stainless wool is best.
Will remove the rust but not the blue.
If the rust is already all the way through the blue then you will have stain / bare spots.

[SDDAVE56]

Thanks for the responses, everybody. I'll try scraping away the rust with a penny and see if I can cold blue the metal underneath. Wish me luck.

Good luck. Show us how it turns out.

[hambam105]

After the rust is removed the bullets will go faster.