How To Remove Rust From A Gun Without Damaging Bluing

The most difficult aspect of removing rust from a gun barrel’s exterior is not to damage the existing bluing.

Because the metal is protected from oxidation by the intact bluing, which can lead to rust.

Scraping is the most common method of removing rust. However, this can also be used to remove bluing. This will expose more metal.

Before you can remove the rust, it is important to understand why the gun barrel is rusting. Most commonly, the reason for rust is moisture in the atmosphere. This can be caused by the following factors:

Recent rain has soaked the gun barrel

High humidity near the ocean and sea

You can get rid of the sweat in your hands

You can identify the root cause of the barrel’s rusting and take steps to prevent it from happening again.

After you’ve done this, you can begin to remove the rust and leave the bluing in place. These steps will help protect your gun and get rid of oxidation.

Using Steel Wool & Gun Oil

While standard gun oil is fine, you should buy steel wool that is 0000. Use a clean rag or cloth and some old newspapers. Do the following.

To expose all of the metal, remove the grips.

Put the gun in the newspaper

Use the gun oil on areas where there is rust

Use the steel wool to gently rub the rusted areas in a circular motion.

To remove all rust, rub the steel wool along the barrel and receiver.

Use a clean cloth or sponge to get rid of the oil.

Examine any rusty areas.

You must use the steel wool gently to avoid removing any bluing. It will take some effort but you’ll be able to keep the bluing and get rid of the rust.

To ensure there is no rust, inspect the gun carefully. After that, clean and store the gun so that the oxidation process doesn’t start again.

Use A High-Quality Penetrating Oil

You may prefer to use penetrating oils if you have a very valuable weapon, like an antique.

Penetrating oils are quite common, with WD-40 the most well-known. It is fast and doesn’t damage the metal. The following items are also required.

Newspapers

Tissues

Copper Penny

Copper is a soft metal and does not scrape as well as steel wool.

Spray the WD-40 on the newspaper and place the gun on it. Make sure you cover any areas with rust. Allow the WD-40 to soak for several minutes, so it can penetrate the rust.

Scrape loose rust off with the edge of a copper penny

Don’t dig in with the penny, as copper stains might be left behind

If the rust isn’t coming off, spray it again with WD-40

Because the penny is small, it can be tiring to use. To ensure your hand doesn’t get tired, you can hold the penny with something bigger, such as pliers. You should still be cautious as you could leave marks.

Adding Bluing:

You may need to remove all rust from a gun. Once you have removed all traces of rust, do this.

Storage:

You can protect the metal with a light oil coating, but it is best to store it in a dry, cool place to prevent it from rusting. These tips will help you remove rust and protect your gun’s bluing.

At American Gunsmithing Institute you will get to learn how to keep your guns clean and dust free without any damage.