I noticed today that one of my shotguns has developed a very slight rust issue on the barrel. It was hardly visible at first glance but when I ran a piece of gauze over it I could feel it. My question is can I use a very fine steel wool to remove this without hurting the blueing? If not, what can I use?

Pour oil over the barrel & use 0000 steel wool while the barrel is well covered in oil.

I would use FLITZ applied with a styra.foam pellet

Bronze wool and oil.

quote:

Originally posted by D Humbarger:
Pour oil over the barrel & use 0000 steel wool while the barrel is well covered in oil.

This always works for me. Never tried bronze wool but all the brass that ever came in contact with my blued steel left a streak or mark of color. Is bronze better in that regard?

I bought some silver colored stuff at a gun show that looks like a Brillo pad, softer than steel, works very well with oil, no scratches what-so-ever.

I've always used a fine BRASS wire bristle brush to and Military weapons oil (Not the LAW artic weapons oil, the other one) to remove rust.

As for removing the "brass staining" any weapons bore cleaner that contains ammonia takes brass right off of steel surfaces, just be sure to oil it afterwards.

AD

Flitz and paper towel is much safer / gentler

Have used either RB17 or Blue Wonder Gun cleaner to deal with rust in the past. Basically they are the same thing. Both have no effect on blueing, but deals quite good with rust. Depending on the severity of the rust, what I'll use with them. Generally, I'll use a 3M scotchbrite pad, finest grit type or one recommended for paint finishes....find them less abrashive than regular steel wool.

I use transmission oil for most gun-related uses like carding rust. Cheap and lasts long time.

FLITZ! Are you people freaking crazy? It is an abrasive and will lay down scratches in stainless steel for crying out loud.

For light rust, steam the metal part in live steam for at least 5 minutes. This will neutralize and convert the ferric oxide into ferrocitic iron (black oxide). Then lightly buff with burlap. If that doesn't work use a nickle. Failing that, lightly buff with oooo steel wool. Wax the steel with two coats of Johnson Paste Wax and be happy.