rust on blued barrel 870

[Lumber_Jack]

Ok so I have a nice old remington 870 wingmaster '72 model I believe. It has been in a case for several years, well today I got it out and found some rust on the barrel. No doubt due to poor care on my part (see signature). But Im wondering what to do to get rid of the rust and preserve value, both monitary and sentimental (12th birthday present). Thanks. oh by the way I am a horrible photographer.

[Jonnin]

The only way to get rid of rust once it starts is to polish it out, then refinish or at least paint it with something reasonable. To polish it out, use what is sensible for the damage in question. Here, it does not look bad, so a buffing wheel on a dremel tool (if you have steady hands) or a rag with polish (diamond dust is great, or a semisolid polishing compound). Try to not take off too much of the good blue as you do it.

To refinish it, try one of the products that are for that, like guncote or whatnot, or get it redone at a gunsmith.

[Garufa]

0000 steel wool with plenty of oil will take most of that off. No need for power tools.

[Jonnin]

0000 steel wool with plenty of oil will take most of that off. No need for power tools.

Good point. We had a water leak here, Ive been de-rusting pliers, screwdrivers, and such for a few weeks now and was not really thinking clearly. Dremel is for bigger jobs (hopefully no gun is this bad). Thankfully only a few cheap tools got wet, no guns!

[Lumber_Jack]

0000 steel wool with plenty of oil will take most of that off. No need for power tools.

will I have to get it reblued after this?

[Jonnin]

Yes. Or paint it (and by paint, I mean a paint designed for gun use, not just the hardware store's graffiti special spraypaint). There are some do it yourself finishing products out there, the only one off the top of my head is "guncote" or something like that. It comes in all kinds of funky colors too, if you want a pink or red or sky blue, or camo, etc, you can find what you want.

Edit: maybe its called duracote. I am not 100% sure at this point, I was looking to have it done to one of mine but never did as it was more expensive than a funny color was worth.

Edited December 7, 2010 by Jonnin

[56FordGuy]

If you don't mind the 'bad' spots in the finish, a refinish isn't necessary. A light coat of oil should keep the rust from returning.

[VERO1]

If the spots are as small as they appear in the photo , I believe I would try a little touchup with one of the cold blue products available. Obviously do this after the steel wool. I was always told to use 0000 bronze wool with lots of oil. The idea being that unnoticed steel wool frags could start the whole rusting process over again.

[Guest Broomhead]

Keep away from steel wool, there will be microscopic flecks of it leftover to start rusting again. Use either bronze wool, as stated above, or a synthetic type steel wool.

Also, first, try using some aluminum foil and a buffer, like oil, and gentle rub the spots until the rust is gone. The aluminum reacts metallurgically with the iron oxide to form aluminum oxide and iron. In other words, it removes the rust without removing much, if any, steel.

[I_Like_Pie]

0000 steel wool with plenty of oil will take most of that off. No need for power tools.

Yep...this is all that you will ever need to do. Some folks like to use wd-40...ATF works good too. Light touch and keep things oiled. No need to worry about the wool filings if you clean things up.

The rusting that you have was accelerated by that gun case. Keep it oiled and in a closet without metal touching any cloth and leather.

30 seconds and you will not be able to see much of that rust. Whatever you do keep it away from a dremel or buffing wheel!!!!!!!!

Edited December 7, 2010 by I_Like_Pie

[gregintenn]

It has been in a case for several years,

If you are referring to a carrying case, and not a wooden gun rack or safe, DON"T STORE A GUN IN IT!!!!! They will collect moisture with changing temperatures, and the case won't enough air in to dry the moisture. There starts the rusting problem.

[VERO1]

If you want to keep it in the case, at least throw in one of the bgc packs of dessicant!

[Lumber_Jack]

Thanks all, l was unaware of the hazard of storing in the case ( see signature ). I will try to remove the rust and post results

[Lumber_Jack]

Where is the best place to buy bronze or steel wool? Lowes, Ace?

[Z28]

PM sent.

[gregintenn]

Ace hardware.