Refinishing an old, very rusty pistol

[Rex B]

No way I'd dip anything of value in any acid stronger than apple cider vinegar.

 

[Oyeboten]

Simple solution:

DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS WITHOUT RUBBER GLOVES AND ADEQUATE VENTILATION.

Buy a gallon jug of muriatic (pool) acid at Walmart. This will remove all rust and fairly quickly, at that. Your best bet is outside on a windy day or with a fan behind you blowing the acid fumes in the opposite direction.

Pour some in a plastic pan and just let the gun sit in it

When all the rust has been removed, rinse thoroughly in clean, running water (your garden hose), then neutralize any minute residual acid by dunking in a baking soda solution.

Alternatively, Walmart also sells in the automotive chemicals department a product called "Naval Jelly." This is a gelatinous phosphoric acid solution that will also remove rust, but takes longer. On the plus side, it does produce less fumes than muriatic, and you can apply it with a brush.

Full Face Shield even...


This is probably the very best for removing Rust out of 'pores' and 'pits' of Steels and Iron...


However, the item must be very thoroughly de-greased first...and any superficial rust or scale removed mechaniclly...and...


Only 'dip' (if undiluted Muriatic) for maybe one second...


If diluted 50/50 with Water...remember, ONLY add Acid ( gently, slowly, like Pouring a Beer when no Head is wanted ) to Water, and, never the other-way-around...( never add Water to Acid - it can 'blow' and splatter Acid on you).


If '50/50', (safer this way) dip for maybe 3 seconds...then plunge and agitate for at least five minutes in heavy Solution of Baking Soda and Water...Hose off well...( repeat Acid 'dip' and neutralizing, if it needs it...) bake 'dry'...


Item will appear to 'Boil' when dipped...


Edit:

Typ aommended!

 

[7X57chilmau]

If I'm reading correctly, I think Oyeboten may have typo'd above, so I'll clarify.

Always add Acid to Water, not Water to Acid to avoid nasty splatters.

J

 

[HisDivineShadow]

I've been looking into filling pits and using JB weld looks like a viable alternative if you will use a bake on finish like say Norells moly resin or KG Gun Kote. It will not work with pakerization and I don't think it'll work with bluing.

 

[Oyeboten]

Thanks 7X57chilmau!


Oooooooooops...oye...typo ammended...

 

[Oyeboten]

On absolutely 'clean' Steel...filling 'pits' would usually be done by electroplating...depositing Copper, usually, and the surfaces then brought 'down' leaving filled pits.


Possibly, other Metals would work well also.