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Thread: Rust on a Rifle

  1. #1
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    Rust on a Rifle

    Hi All
    I am new to wanting to own a rifle and found a rifle I wanted but it had some rust on the surface of the metal. If there anyway for a rifle to be restored from this condition like new?
    Cheers
    Alison

  2. #2
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    A wipe over with an oiled cloth or, if that is not sufficient, very fine (000) wire wool with oil usually works. Only a gentle wipe is usually needed to remove surface rust. Do not be tempted to use any abrasive paper as you run the risk of scratching the surface. Serious pitting needs more drastic action.
    Cheers, Phil

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    phil384 is offline Likes to eat trifle wearing scuba gear
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    Quote Originally Posted by AlisonQld View Post
    Hi All
    I am new to wanting to own a rifle and found a rifle I wanted but it had some rust on the surface of the metal. If there anyway for a rifle to be restored from this condition like new?
    Cheers
    Alison
    As above but if its bad the rifle could be taken apart, rubbed down and reblued. I used the birchwood casey blueing kit on a shotgun barrel and it came up well.
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    as phil has said worked on a one i recentyl got giving ,left in a gun bag wet after a shooting trip for a week

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Phil Russell View Post
    A wipe over with an oiled cloth or, if that is not sufficient, very fine (000) wire wool with oil usually works. Only a gentle wipe is usually needed to remove surface rust. Do not be tempted to use any abrasive paper as you run the risk of scratching the surface. Serious pitting needs more drastic action.
    Cheers, Phil
    Thanks Phil. Is wire wool the same as Steel wool you buy from a supermarket?

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    Quote Originally Posted by phil384 View Post
    As above but if its bad the rifle could be taken apart, rubbed down and reblued. I used the birchwood casey blueing kit on a shotgun barrel and it came up well.
    It sounds like you had deeper rust to remove? Did you use something to remove all the blueing and the rust? Can you blue over the top of previously blued metal?

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by AlisonQld View Post
    Thanks Phil. Is wire wool the same as Steel wool you buy from a supermarket?
    Probably not, fine Steel /wire wool ideally in a big pack,pull off what you need, hard ware stores in uk seem best source, super markets won't have much demand as not soap impregnated, or handy to use, IE scouring pad with soap, also these trend to be thick wire wool, even in unsoaped form, will scratch .
    I got big pack years ago from independent hardware shop, not many about today in UK, used on v light surface rusting with drop oil as lube , also cleaned up car & m/bike hydraulic brake Pistons , Airsporter & meteor alloy piston heads , final smoothing on wood use dry with light pressure for varnishing etc

  8. #8
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    0000 wire wool

    I use the auction site for the fine wire wool 0000,,
    item number: 111129184256 but shop around or view similar items, 1 meter goes a long way.. Col.

  9. #9
    phil384's Avatar
    phil384 is offline Likes to eat trifle wearing scuba gear
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    Quote Originally Posted by AlisonQld View Post
    It sounds like you had deeper rust to remove? Did you use something to remove all the blueing and the rust? Can you blue over the top of previously blued metal?
    I had to take it down to bare metal otherwise you will still see the rust pattern under the new blueing.

    I used steel wool and very fine wet and dry paper. The kit comes with chemicals to degrease.
    Daystate Air Ranger FAC - Kral Bullpup & NP03 - CZ 452 .22lr - Lithgow 17hmr - Remington 783 .223 - Franchi 612vs 12G - Renato Gamba 12G O/U - Hatsan Escort 12G
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  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by AlisonQld View Post
    Hi All
    I am new to wanting to own a rifle and found a rifle I wanted but it had some rust on the surface of the metal. If there anyway for a rifle to be restored from this condition like new?
    Cheers
    Alison
    Hi,
    A few things to consider possibly; is the rifle rare, collectable, valuable, sentimental value, very desirable? What will it be used for, perhaps a bit of garden plinking, or something more serious? Is the rust deeper than just light surface rust and is pitted to some degree? To restore the rifle finish to as new, depending on its value and desirability to you, a professional re-blue is really the way to go. Otherwise, for an average run of the mill rifle so speak, the surface can be lightly rubbed with 0000 grade wire wool and oil as per Phil Russell's comment. By the way, what make and model is the rifle? Do you know what the internals are like? What is the stock like? Any previous history?
    Last edited by SRV1; 27-07-2020 at 11:07 AM.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by SRV1 View Post
    Hi,
    A few things to consider possibly; is the rifle rare, collectable, valuable, sentimental value, very desirable? What will it be used for, perhaps a bit of garden plinking, or something more serious? Is the rust deeper than just light surface rust and is pitted to some degree? To restore the rifle finish to as new, depending on its value and desirability to you, a professional re-blue is really the way to go. Otherwise, for an average run of the mill rifle so speak, the surface can be lightly rubbed with 0000 grade wire wool and oil as per Phil Russell's comment. By the way, what make and model is the rifle? Do you know what the internals are like? What is the stock like? Any previous history?
    Sentimental Value, looking for a Lucznik 87 “The Archer” air rifle. Sadly mine was destroyed by a gun shop (long story). Was my grandfathers and so I am looking for an above average condition one. Happy to wait for the right one!

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