OMG Rust!!

[BryanHeath]

So I took my guns out today for the first time in about two years and to my shock and horror they were all very rusted. The worst was my Remington 22 starter rifle from 1912. Thing looked bad.

I have a cheap safe which might be part of the issue. However its in the closet inside the house so I didn't feel like that would be anything to worry about.

I guess my first question is how to stop that from happening again.

Second is what to do with my rust problem right now. I got some advice from a salesman @ the local Sportmans Warehouse and purchased some Blue and Rust remover. I told him what I had and he said it would fine. But you know when you feel like you are getting advice from someone that doesn't know what they are talking about...I should have listened to my gut.

I got home and used it on my 22 and it worked great. Went to try it on my mat black 870 and of course it took the finish off. Thank go I did a little in a small spot.

So I guess I need some advice on what to do.

[Spyder]

I wouldn't be in too much of a hurry to fix it right now, until you get someone who knows what they're doing. I wouldn't have used blue remover at all, on any kind of valuable gun that you don't plan on refinishing.

Hopefully someone here will give good advice, but don't listen to the guy at the big box store...

[timdps]

Scrub lightly with oil and fine bronze wool (like steel wool).
Removes rust without affecting the blue.

Tim

[DaveInOroValley]

Be sure to buy an electric dehumidifier or crystal pack for the safe that will prevent rust. That must of sucked to find that after opening the safe. timdps has good advice but often you have to order the very fine bronze wool on line.

Amazon carries it. Good luck and get some sort of dehumidifier and keep an eye on it.

[mosinnagantm9130]

Be sure to buy an electric dehumidifier or crystal pack for the safe that will prevent rust. That must of sucked to find that after opening the safe. timdps has good advice but often you have to order the very fine bronze wool on line.

Amazon carries it. Good luck and get some sort of dehumidifier and keep an eye on it.

This^^

Plus proper oiling during storage.

If you are going to let them sit that long with no dehumidifier, you may as well put a ton of cosmoline on them.

[apbrian112]

Google Eezox... This stuff is amazing at keeping rust at bay...

[rojocorsa]

They say that Kroil will kill rust very well. Sometimes it's not the easiest stuff to find though. I was about to buy some on Midway, but the goddamn shipping cost more than the little can!


Perhaps there might be other substances out there that can kill rust. But people do seem to love their Kroil.

[bsg]

i use a Goldenrod in my safe to assist with rust prevention.

[Ledbetter]

For long term storage, Johnson's Paste Wax in the big yellow tin.

[erik_26]

Need to get some desiccant or a dehumidifier. Also don't go more than 90 days inspecting guns. They need a light oiling every so often regardless of them going to the range or not.

[mjsweims]

Use a patch with WD40. Many times this will take care of surface rust. If the patch doesn't work then try a slightly more abrasive cotton cloth with WD40. Gradually work your way up the abrasive scale using cloth products first, then switching to scouring pads then bronze wool etc. Kroil may also work instead of WD40. After the rust is gone, give the guns a good cleaning, and coat with a light oil (not WD40)

[BryanHeath]

Thanks for all the tips. Very helpful. My heart sank to see that when I opened it. No one wants to see that.

Any ideas on how to fix the black mat finish on my 870? It's not huge but I would like to correct it?

[johnthomas]

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/BAG196-1.html

I got my ad from CTD and spotted these. This is the first time I've seen these.

[Sky_DiveR]

After you clean up all the rust. Put 'em in Z-Corr bags. They come in different sizes.

http://www.zcorrproducts.com/

For the 870... try Birchwood Casey Super Black Touch Up Pen Flat



Regarding your rust, you might want to try this...

http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=80&t=62728

[Beelzy]

Gun oil and 0000 steel wool will work nicely.

I use Pledge spray wax on guns that will be stored for a bit. Wipe on, wipe off.
(old machinist tip)