Saving A Finish

[doubleg]

My buddy has an old pre saftey model 94 with about 50% of the finish remaining. His grandfather found it in his garage and gave it to him for a deer gun. The other day he asked me if I knew how to clean this thing up and I told him I did not know where to start but I would be glad to help. So how do I get the rust off this thing and save the blueing? Also feel free to share experiences you have had with saving a finish. Thanks.

 

[Jim K]

If the rust is deep, there is nothing you can do; bluing is really controlled rust, on the surface, and if the surface is gone, the bluing is gone.

If the rust is light surface rust, you might try bronze or copper wool (check in the supermarket pot cleaning department) and oil. An alternative is 0000 steel wool and oil, but the steel wool can scratch the bluing, where bronze wool won't.

Good luck.

Jim

 

[Plink]

I've always used 0000 steel wool and oil for removing rust. I've never had it harm bluing or scratch when used gently. Apply the oil, let it set a little while to soak into the rust, then making sure to keep it very wet with oil, lightly rub with the steel wool. It'll turn the rust to mud without much work. Apply more oil and wipe the "mud" off gently. Repeat as needed, but be sure to wipe away the mud as it forms. The rust itself might scratch the finish if you continue to rub. You can't remove any pitting, but you can sure pull the rust out of any pits this way. Keep it well oiled and it won't rust anymore. CorrosionX is about the best rust proofing oil out there.