Using WD-40 to remove rust?

[rojocorsa]

One of my shotgun barrels has a very very very LIGHT coating of rust.

This coating of rust is so minimal that I only noticed it once I held a white LED flashlight right to the metal--only then could I see the brownish tint. To the naked eye under normal lighting conditions, it doesn't look like there is any disturbance in the metal. Hell, the only reason I noticed it was because the rag I was using to oil the gun had a brown streak after I made a pass.

Anyway, I heard that you can spray WD-40 onto a rag and wipe off the rust like that.

Is just want to get a second opinion on that.

Is anyone familiar with this method?


And after getting the rust off, would you re-oil the metal again?

I almost went and got brass wool, but I'm guessing that said wool is for bigger rust problems. I only have discreet rust to take care of and I have WD-40 on hand already...

Thanks, Calgunners

[ocspeedracer]

Anyway, I heard that you can spray WD-40 onto a rag and wipe off the rust like that.

If you try this with wd-40, HECK YES re-oil it, WD is a water dispersant and if left w/o an application of oil will help rust it quick. Wiping some on to get a little rust off and then oiling the same area shouldn't hurt anything.

[rojocorsa]

If you try this with wd-40, HECK YES re-oil it, WD is a water dispersant and if left w/o an application of oil will help rust it quick. Wiping some on to get a little rust off and then oiling the same area shouldn't hurt anything.

Ok, thanks.



Though I admit that it doesn't make sense seeing that it's supposed to displace water. No argument though because I'll be rubbing on some grease after I get the rust out.

[bohoki]

it doesnt remove rust but it helps the loose rust wipe off and stick to a rag

try some automotive car polish/wax

[Ed_in_Sac]

No problem with using WD40, it is cheap and might work. It can not remove pitting from rust. And btw, WD40 is BOTH for water displacement AND lubrication.

[ocspeedracer]

No problem with using WD40, it is cheap and might work. It can not remove pitting from rust. And btw, WD40 is BOTH for water displacement AND lubrication.

this has been discussed in depth, yes I'm to lazy to find the thread, but use as a gun lubricant at your own risk.

[rojocorsa]

According to the manufacturer's website:

WD-40 loosens rust-to-metal bonds and frees stuck, frozen or rusted metal parts.

As far as protecting the metal, I will simply use grease and play it safe. I've also heard stuff about WD-40 so I'm reluctant to use it as something else than the light rust remover that I need.

[Ed_in_Sac]

I did not say it was a good choice as a gun lubricant. However, it does have mineral oil in it to act as a lubricant and prevent rust. Indeed most shooters I know gave up using it many moons ago.

From Wikipedia:

WD-40's formula is a trade secret. The product is not patented in order to avoid completely disclosing its ingredients.[2] WD-40's main ingredients, according to U.S. Material Safety Data Sheet information, are:

* 50%: Stoddard solvent (i.e., mineral spirits -- primarily hexane, somewhat similar to kerosene)
* 25%: Liquefied petroleum gas (presumably as a propellant; carbon dioxide is now used instead to reduce WD-40's considerable flammability)
* 15+%: Mineral oil (light lubricating oil)
* 10-%: Inert ingredients

[Milsurp Collector]

For rust removal without affecting the original finish, nothing beats Kroil http://www.kanolabs.com/ and fine bronze wool, in my opinion. Here is a Type 38 Arisaka I treated using Kroil and bronze wool:

Before


After


Before


After


and another Type 38 treated the same way

Before


After

[ocspeedracer]

I almost don't believe that's the same gun! WOW

[rojocorsa]

That is pretty impressive.


The rust that I'm currently dealing with, you can't even see it. For whatever reason, it'll show right up with white LED light.


Reasons like this are why I am fan of the modern finishes like Tennifer and plutonite(?). I am also very thankful that the Winchester 1300's receiver is aluminum.

[Matt@EntrepriseArms]

WD-40 is fine. It is both a solvent, lubricant, and protectant. Some people go off the deep end and nitpick whether or not to use it, but it will work great for removing rust and adding a layer of protection.

We use it here all the time for our rifles in our production process. Why? Because we can buy it in bulk containers, and for our purposes it works just fine.

However, if you are worried about long term storage in your gunsafe, then you would want to use an oil after you use WD-40 to remove the rust. Since WD-40 has solvents in it, it is not ideal for long term storage.

[rojocorsa]

So I just finished doing the WD-40 thing. I was going back and forth until very little to no rust showed up on the rag/paper towel.

However, when I shine my flashlight, I still see the brown. What gives?

In normal lighting, the gun looks fine, however. The surface is still smooth without any pits and crap---but the brown will still show up after the light.

Should I try the kroil, or am I being too OCD? (because you can't even tell the rust is there).

[Ed_in_Sac]

If you use fine steel wool be careful not to cut through the blue.

[DSA_FAL]

Should I try the kroil, or am I being too OCD? (because you can't even tell the rust is there).

Having a very fine layer of rust is common when living in a coastal area. I just put a little bit of gun oil on a patch and wipe down the metal once a month or so. I think using anything harsher like steel wool will only damage the coating on your gun and ultimately accelerate rusting.