RUST: Please advise...

[A Cleaner]

Guys, help me out here. I already conducted a search and found some but not enough info on 870 finishes.

When I took it out of the safe, one of my shotguns had a small rust spot on the outside of the receiver and a fair amount of fluffy rusty coating around the actual spot.

I clean after every shooting. This ONE TIME, and I do mean that sincerely, I didn't wipe down the exterior (5.5 days to be exact). That will be the first and LAST time that ever happens. We have central air but it has been humid in our area the last week or so.

1. Could a five day lag have led to rusting that fast?
2. What else could have caused it?
3. What are some solutions? I know this has been somewhat covered but I would appreciate detailed instructions on any methods offered. I'm open to all ideas...from containing/treating/cleaning the spot to more extreme measures like stripping it and refinishing. Please keep in mind, I'm on a budget.

 

[HankB]

Blue Wonder gun cleaner is advertised as being able to remove rust without harming the blue.

Naval jelly will remove the rust, but is almost certain to remove the blue as well.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

0000 steel wool and gun oil should take care of it, unless it is pitted. And it shouldn't have pitted in 5.5 days.

Just put some oil on the steel wool and rub the rust off, 0000 won't hurt your bluing.

 

[romulus]

My matte black 870 express barrel developed some flowering rust near the rear sight base. No pitting thus far. I just rubbed it with a linen patch soaked in FP-10 - but something like Remoil or a solvented CLP like Break-free would do - until the patches stopped coming up orange. I still hit the spot for good measure whenever I clean the gun, and no further problems have ensued. It's unlikely you'll need refinishing after less than a week.

 

[Cosmoline]

I have had excellent results with the CLP line of military cleaners and lubes. They were the ONLY product that did much to stop the rust spots on my firearms when I was living rough.

 

[A Cleaner]

Thanks so far for all the replies, guys. Any other input as far as refinishing to prevent any further rusting (e.g. spray painting, stripping and refinishing, etc.) would also be appreciated.

 

[romulus]

Just keep a light film of oil (again, a CLP would be best) on all surfaces and you will have zero rust problems.

 

[HSMITH]

Sounds like a finger print to me if the gun is polished blue, if an express it could have been just a drop of sweat from the last time out.

If you just wipe down the fingerprints on a polished blue they hold up very well even in high humidity.

 

[romulus]

I recently tried for the first time this product called RustePrufe. It's applied with a chamois (provided) that soaks in the product in a little jar. Looks promising when it comes to exterior gun protection, especially smooth blued guns. Leaves a light waxoily film. Seems like just the stuff to prevent that sort of orange efflorescence...

 

[seed]

Although I have never tried it, I have read that rust will come off with a simple eraser. As for protection, Eezox, Corrosion X and FP-10 are all fantastic corrosion/rust inhibitors. Supposedly Eezox and Corrosion X will leave behind a protective film when the surface is dry...I'm not sure about FP-10. Although for protection from rust as well as lubrication (and low toxicity), FP-10 is the clear winner.

Another product you might want to try is Renaissance Wax. Some will advise the use of carnuba waxes, however I have read that they can be acidic. Renaissance wax is neutral and designed specifically for your purpose.

But the best thing you can do is to refinish. I recommend:

Mac's

Don't be put off by the look of his web site. He does truly amazing work and is about the most stand-up guy with whom I have ever done business. Do a search on him here and other forums and you will see what I mean.

One more thing... Purchase dessicant (sp). They come in bags or boxes, etc. They absorb moisture and are rechargeable. Another measure to take is to store your firearms (in the safe or anywhere) in bore-stores:

company link.

And if you really want to get extreme (unnecessary after taking the two above steps), you can always get a dehumidifier for the room in which your safe occupies. But that would be beyond overkill.

Good luck.

 

[romulus]

Speaking of ambient humidity...I'm thinking of getting a Goldenrod for the gun cabinet. Seems to get rave reviews.

Regarding refinishing being the best thing, how can you come out and say that, without even knowing the amount of surface rust damage? After a week (even less, actually) it's unlikely that the price of a reblue or re-park, or a blast and molycoat, justifies the expense. Like anyone needs to send it off at the first sign of orange bloom

 

[seed]

Regarding refinishing being the best thing, how can you come out and say that, without even knowing the amount of surface rust damage? After a week (even less, actually) it's unlikely that the price of a reblue or re-park, or a blast and molycoat, justifies the expense. Like anyone needs to send it off at the first sign of orange bloom

One of the options he asked about was refinishing, so I obliged him with an option to do that (one with which I have had personal experience).

3. What are some solutions? I know this has been somewhat covered but I would appreciate detailed instructions on any methods offered. I'm open to all ideas...from containing/treating/cleaning the spot to more extreme measures like stripping it and refinishing. Please keep in mind, I'm on a budget.

Thanks so far for all the replies, guys. Any other input as far as refinishing to prevent any further rusting (e.g. spray painting, stripping and refinishing, etc.) would also be appreciated.

I also mentioned many other options short of that with which I have had personal experience. I was trying to cover all the bases. However, other than being the most expensive option, refinishing, in and of itself is the best corrosion protection he can have. That is why I stated it as such.

 

[A Cleaner]

Hey guys, both opinions are valued and appreciated. Different suggestions to the same problem give me more to think about. That's what I like best about this site. I really do appreciate all the input so far and more is welcome.

 

[Noah Zark]

+1 for Corrosion X. Wonderful stuff.

It is used on aircraft airframes to prevent corrosion.

Noah

 

[dgludwig]

Rust Protection

A GoldenRod "heat-maker" has been suggested as a way to keep rust at bay. A cheaper solution is to install a lightbulb fixture in your safe and keep a "long-life 40 to 60 watt bulb burning. While serving in the USAF on Guam in the early sixties, we kept a lightbulb burning in our clothes locker to ward off mildew caused by the extreme humidity typically present in a tropical environment and it worked well.

 

[Nnobby45]

Birchwood Casey SHEATH Rust Preventer.