You might find rust forming on your gun out of nowhere.
No matter how many bucks you poured to keep your precious weapon secured, it still can end up having rust. Even the gun being anodized or blued can get infected by rust too. It is natural and inevitable. All you need is maintenance.
The sudden popping of orange marks on your gun is indeed an alarming issue and requires immediate treatment.
Such issues are faced when your gun comes in contact with moisture. The humidity of the surroundings or even the sweat from your hand can also cause this problem. You must be careful where you store or how you handle your gun to keep it rust-free.
Nevertheless, you won’t have to scrape off the bluing from your gun even if rust started showing up. You can simply remove rust over blued gun from the surface keeping the coating intact.
How to Remove Rust from Blued Gun?
Removing rust from blued guns is not a hard job as it sounds. However, it is a technical one and requires a little more attention. You have to make sure you are not damaging the bluing when working against the rust over it.
So many techniques are there to remove rust from a blued gun. You may go for any but have to be careful not to damage the blue layer due to the chosen technique.
I have included 4 different methods for removing rust from blued guns. You can use whichever feels easier for you. All of them are practiced by gun owners to get rid of rust from the blued gun.
Using Steel Wool or Sandpaper
It is one of the techniques where you can use steel wool or sandpaper to scrape off the rust. It is pretty easy to use but you need to be very careful while using them due to its abrasive nature.
To start the cleaning session first you need to arrange all the cleaning tools in a designated area. Unload the gun and double-check it. Then disassemble the gun and put the parts on the designated working station.
Next, you have to oil the surface around the rust. Do not pour excessively. Better you use dropper for it.
Now you can start the scrapping. Take the steel wool or sandpaper whatever you have and start rubbing gently over the rusted areas. Make sure you do not apply too much pressure which might result in damaging the blue coating. Gently rub it over the gun surface to get rid of the rust only.
In no time you will see powdered rust coming off the surface. After you successfully remove rust from the gun surface, wipe the parts thoroughly and investigate for any leftovers.
Red Devil 0310 Steel Wool
This is a good example of steel wool. It is a compatible scrapper that can successfully remove rust from any surface. This set includes 8 different versions of steel wool. You can use the one suitable for removing rust from blued guns. The size of the steel wool is of just the right proportion to hold tightly without irritation for a long time.
3M 9085NA 9085 Sand Paper
It is a 400 grit sandpaper suitable for scrapping rust off a metal surface. The sheet is waterproof and fine in texture. It can successfully remove rust and offer a smooth surface. And it can offer all without damaging the layer of coating.
Using Electric Rotatory Tool
An alternative to sandpaper or steel wool is the electric rotatory tool. This serves the same function as the former. The only difference is that it is automatic. You won’t have to brush off the rust manually scrubbing it against the gun surface. The machine will do the job for you.
Electric rotatory is a versatile tool that can be used for this purpose too. Such a tool generally includes multiple detachable heads for performing various tasks. One of such attachments is used for sanding that can be utilized for scrapping rust off from the gun surface. Such a machine allows you to control the speed and pressure applied on the surface. You can gently move the tool against the rust-infected areas to remove rust from a gun without damaging bluing.
Dremel 3000-1/24 Variable Speed Rotary Tool Kit
This is a corded rotatory tool that gives a total of 6 speeding options. You can change the speed as per your requirements when working over a blued gun. This also gives the benefit of maintaining precision while sanding. The ergonomic body with tight grip is also a highlighting aspect for this.
SPTA Mini Electric Grinder Set
This electric rotatory tool has a lightweight body that can be handled single-handedly. it turns on with the help of a single button that can be operated with the same hand. The set includes 33 pieces of head attachments including the sanding one. You can use it on both iron or non-iron surface. It works well on any.
Utool Mini Cordless Rotary Tool Kit 4V with 42 Accessories
This one here is highly suitable for sanding guns. It is compatible with detailed tasks. It is a rechargeable cordless rotatory tool. You can recharge it using a USB charger. The handle of the tool is rubber coated for ensuring good grip while working.
BYWOKY Cordless Rotary Tool
It is a cordless one with excellent sanding capability. This can work against rust-containing surfaces to eliminate it and offer a smooth rust-free surface. The gunmetal does not get damaged with its touch. Its set includes a total of 42 accessories. You can use its sanding drum, rough stone, sanding disc, and flat wheel for sanding purposes.
Using Penetrating Oil
Using penetrating oil is the most effortless technique to remove rust from a blued gun. You won’t have to worry about damaging the blue coating and also the rust will be removed without hard labor.
At first, you have to smear drops of oil on the infected area. Make sure you do not flood the area with oil. Excessive oil will create more damage than doing good.
Then let it sit for a while. This resting time will allow the oil to penetrate through the rust and loosen it from the gun surface. It will soften the rigid rust.
After the resting time, take a cleaning towel or cloth piece and gently wipe the surface area. The softened rust will come off leaving a clean gun.
However, it also depends on the depth of the rust formed. Sometimes the stubborn rust might not come off that easily. You should try rubbing a little harder with your cleaning towel to get it off. You can also use a copper brush against the tenacious rust which got a strong grip. Gently brush against the rusted area not hampering the blue coating.
Kroil Original Penetrating Oil
It is an aerosol penetrating oil. This is also known as Aerokroil. Kroil oil penetrates through the rust and reacts to loosen the bond. This does not harm the gunmetal. It only reacts to the rust and helps to get rid of it. Being in the aerosol form it can be used to spray in any tight spaces where normally the cloth patch can’t reach. This can penetrate quicker and deeper to act fast on rust.
Using Multipurpose Lubricant Oil
You can also use multipurpose lubricant oil like WD-40 for cleaning the rust. Its using technique is almost the same as the penetrating oil but with slight changes. You have to keep the gun soaked here for almost 24 hours for better results. You need to spray the liquid right over the rust-infected area. After 24 hours, you need to respray on it. Then take a cleaning towel and wipe the parts thoroughly.
It is very easy to remove rust from the gun using WD-40.
WD-40 Original Forumla
The spray bottle WD-40 is comparatively easier to use as simply spraying over the surface does the job. It is a moisture inhibitor that prevents rust from forming. This also acts abruptly on rust to remove it from the gun surface. Its chemical properties help to break the bond between rust and gunmetal.
Final Words
You need to keep your prized possession safe from rust if you do not want it to get damaged. Even the bluing cannot always save it. You need to do a routine inspection for any trace of damage or rust.
Knowing how to remove rust from blued gun can help you act immediately as you witness any rust formation on your gun. You won’t have to seek any professional help or delay the action. You can remove rust from blued gun without damaging it yourself.
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