How to clean filthy, slightly rusty old bolt?

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SKILCZ

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Trying to clean the bolt of a gun that when in new condition looks like traditional, shiny, silver-colored stainless steel. Right now it is caked on black on nearly every side with a possible area of surface rust or pitting on one side.

Thus far, I have tried Hoppe's, copper brush, 0000 steel wool, Break Free CLP, and another copper removing bore cleaner. I also soaked the bolt in Hoppe's overnight. There is visible black fouling at the bottom of the Hoppe's now. The sides are less gunked up than originially, but it still is black. For the surface rust (not even sure if it's rust, but I suspect so) I tried a little oil and 0000 steel wool, but I don't think it worked.

This is a decades old gun. I don't know if/when it was ever disassembled and cleaned, so the dirt/fouling could be really old. The bore is fine.

1. How can/should I clean the bolt?

2. How can/should I remove the surface rust? It's stainless, so I'm not so worried about the finish.​

Thank you in advance! I maintain my guns in pristine order. This is not mine, and I never would have let this get anywhere near this gunked up.
 
Are you absolutely certain that it is stainless? Many carbon steel bolts are left "in the white" with the expectation that they will be cleaned and properly oiled. Rimfire or centerfire? Use caution around the locking lugs. Get too froggy there and you can ruin the headspace. I've seen it done more than once.
 
Oven cleaner; try a small spot first, somewhere it's not obviously visible or functionally important. Q-tip to apply. You'll find out in 30 minutes.
 
It's a .22 LR bolt. I thought about just getting off what I could get off by the methods thus far, lubing it, and putting it back together, but ideally I'd like to clean it up a bit more.

Is there any harm in soaking it in Hoppe's overnight? I've read other posts on here of people who have done that.
 
No.

Hoppe's will not harm metal.

However, if it is out of a .22, it is very unlikely it is stainless steel.

It's either polished carbon steel, or it is plated carbon steel.

If it is polished carbon steel, the dark stain my not come off without using some Flitz or Semichrome metal polish on it.

rc
 
Removing rust

I ran across an article to remove rust by electrolysis (or reverse electoplating) in a magazine many years ago. I have not been able to find it since. It stated it removes only the rust and no metal. I wish I could find it as it would be great to remove rust from my diving tools as well as some old military arms i have stumbled onto thru the yeaqrs. it used a solution (?) and a battery charger I think
Does anyone have any info on this procedure and material to accomplish this task. any help would be most appeciated.:)
 
Catpop said:
I ran across an article to remove rust by electrolysis (or reverse electoplating) in a magazine many years ago. I have not been able to find it since. It stated it removes only the rust and no metal. I wish I could find it as it would be great to remove rust from my diving tools as well as some old military arms i have stumbled onto thru the yeaqrs. it used a solution (?) and a battery charger I think
Does anyone have any info on this procedure and material to accomplish this task. any help would be most appeciated.
Click to expand...

Have you tried the internet?

This site seems to have a LOT of info on it:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=electrolysis+rust+removal
 
If you have an ultrasonic cleaner, and the bolt will fit I'd try that. If not you might try boiling it. Just be certain to put some crumpled foil or something else on the bottom so the bolt doesn't rest directly on the bottom of the pot.
 
I have found a 50/50 mix of Kroil/Hoppe's #9 to be a great cleaner.

I would first soak it in straight acetone to get most of the organic stuff loosened up. Then I would soak it in Kroil for couple days. Then I would soak it in Simple Green followed by boiling it in water and then another Kroil soak.

Do these things and report back. Please post photos.
 
This is a fun experiment:
Put a very rusty wood screw in a plastic pan filled with vinegar and salt.
Put it in the microwave has heat it until it boils.
Do this when the wife is gone, because it makes that house smell like vinegar.

All the rust will fall off, and the screw threads will be sharp.
 
Would you try that on a bolt (the microwave, salt, & vinegar trick)?
 
NO!!!

It's a polished steel bolt fer crizesake!

Polish the tarnish off with Flitz or mag wheel polish or something like I said 6 posts ago!!

rc
 
Got some Flitz and started polishing. I think there's a lot of gunk on there. Any suggestions for how to use Flitz most effectively other than just putting a little on and rubbing it with a rag?
 
Not at all sure why you didn't try to clean it first. See my post above. Nothing I suggest will harm the steel. Then when clean, you can polish it and lube.
Click to expand...
Will perhaps try that, as well. I would have thought dropping it in water and boiling would be bad for steel.

I did a Hoppe's soak for 2 days, but will try it for longer. Tried all the cleaning methods I listed in the original post.

The Flitz was mainly for a spot that may be very faint surface rust, although I will polish the whole thing.
 
You can skip the boil if you rinse the Simple Green off very well with hot water. And immediate dry and lubricate (rinse with copious oil to get the water gone).

Boiling water will not harm steel at all. And when you remove from the water with tongs the surfaces will dry quickly at 210°F and then into oil while still hot.
 
Clark said:
This is a fun experiment:
Put a very rusty wood screw in a plastic pan filled with vinegar and salt.
Put it in the microwave has heat it until it boils.
Do this when the wife is gone, because it makes that house smell like vinegar.

All the rust will fall off, and the screw threads will be sharp.
Click to expand...
The solution you described is excellent for cleaning brass. It is a mild acid (the vinegar) I use 2 cups of vinegar, 2 tablespoons of salt to a gal or so of water to clean range brass. Let soak 20 minutes and rinse really well.

Would not stick a bolt in it. It will not do anything that has not already been done.

For the OP you soaked enough chemicals, a "soft" wire wheel will clean it as much as it's going to clean.

Got a picture of it???
 
slilcz
I haven't read all posts. Repetition possible.
Two things I try in a similar situation are
•Lead cloth (great for rust or embedded residue)
•Synthetic scrub pad
 
I turned every stone trying to find such unit. Nobody seems to make them anymore.
 
soaking in pure iodine will remove all rust and leave a nice shiny part. i just did it with sum bearings i was wanting to use in a pulley for the skinning shed.they went in caked with rust and came out silver shiny and smooth rolling.i was impressed.this is the thick iodine used in the poultry houses as a disenfectent.it doesnt attack the steel only the rust. i washed them in hot soapy water and oiled well afterwards.
 
Ridge
A little more on the iodine? Is there a commercial name, and where is it obtained? Is it by chance related to Betadine sold for wound disinfectionl?
 
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