Restoration questions

[762plinkster]

Hey guys,

My brother bought a Yugo SKS for me recently, because it was in bad condition and he thought i might enjoy restoring it to better condition then it is now. It was 80 dollars, the stock is usable but had craving's in it, which is no big deal to me, but there is some rusting on the bolt carrier, firing pin set up is good, little bits of rust here and there. Really just looks like it was placed somewhere and they forgot.

How do i get the rust off?

This rifle will just become a beater and give my excellent condition Yugo a friend.

Thanks

 

[akolleth]

The carvings are what give it unique historical character.

these rifles fought in the Yugoslavian wars in the early to mid 1990's, the carvings are from the solders themselves on the frontlines. They are just dripping with the history of that dark time of Yugoslavian history.

I love stock carvings, if you ever decide you would prefer a nice clean stock, let me know and I will trade you a nice replacement stock for yours.

As far as rust goes, try using some fine steel wool, or a coarse brush to see if you can get it off. If its just a little surface rust, it will clean up no problem. Deeper rust may require some chemicals, or the use of a wire wheel bush on a drill/dremel.

But whatever method you use to strip the rust off, be sure to seal the metal back up after you are done with some sort of finish/gun oil/ etc.... if you do not the rust will return rather quickly and render all your work moot.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

As akolleth said-- I would add start with 0000 steel wool and lots of oil (really, most any is OK, even '3 in 1' or light gun or machine oil). I know they aren't delicate--but why beat them up and scratch them needlessly?

Resist the urge to overdue things (I know it's hard). Akolleth has a point about the history or these rifles. We tend to see them as good 'bargain' weapons but they really put some effort into making them.

If you're not re-finishing the areas you've removed rust from you can keep them oiled or (if not working surfaces) you can seal the metal with some car wax.

 

[Vaarok]

Like Alkoleth said, the carvings actually increase value pretty significantly. Don't break out the minwax or neglect it just 'cause it was eighty bucks, the rifle's got some definite collectability.