Gunsmithing Cheap/expedient rust removal?

[TresMon]

I was offered a crappy but good paying job. A guy inherited a bunch of rusty guns. He wants to pay me to "clean them all up" but not refinish them. I'm hesitant, unless somebody knows a good inexpensive trick for getting heavy (pitted) rust off guns that doesn't require a blast cabinet* or dip tanks. (* I'm in between air compressors at the moment...) Any tips or tricks that might push me over the fence regarding the job?

Thanks.

 

[308pirate]

Whatever happened to Naval Jelly?

 

[AZHUNTER]

maybe some Kroil and steel wool.

 

[JMGlasgow]

Any of the rust removers/metal preps that contain phosphoric acid. You can get them at Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.

 

[shoobe01]

Yup. Detail strip, (individually! Don't confuse the parts!) dump in the rust remover liquid bucket, brush/rinse off, scrupulously dry, oil. Then, explain that this is not a permanent solution. Rusty things need finishes.

 

[GONE BAD]

CLR. Wipe on wipe off.

 

[Ledzep]

Rust removers are going to remove bluing, too. I've used Birchwood Casey blue/rust remover and it is the worst smell I can remember... Besides a rotted cow that we tried to pull out of a stream that ripped in half instead of dragging out.... Mircroslick Cerakote, or any cerakote hardner is also pretty bad (not so much a bad smell, just a sharp heinous pain).

Anyway, steel wool and kroil for light spots.

 

[Blutroop]

Read up on electrolysis. I did this to a old norinco ak that had rust. Used a battery charger, rebar tie wire, a piece of rebar and a plastic tub. Don’t leave it too long as it will eat away rust in the bottom of pits you didn’t know were so deep.

 

[KZP]

Never tried it on a firearm, but I put rusty parts in boiling water for 20 minutes. Creates a black oxide finish. May have to wipe it down and do it again depending on the rust severity and type.

 

[Macca]

The cheapest & most effective?
Molasses & water & let it soak,& soak for a long time.
If you’ve heavy pitting as you say,no matter what rust removal method you use it will require refinishing.
And if the metal parts are badly pitted,I dare say the furniture may need to be brought back to life too.

 

[want2learn]

I've only used KROIL and copper wool however I recently read a post (elsewhere) describing a product called Big45 frontier metal cleaner alloy. Reportedly they had good results with the product.

 

[Stooxie]

Barkeepers Friend works if you want something cheap and available anywhere.

 

[spife7980]

Read up on electrolysis. I did this to a old norinco ak that had rust. Used a battery charger, rebar tie wire, a piece of rebar and a plastic tub. Don’t leave it too long as it will eat away rust in the bottom of pits you didn’t know were so deep.

My father did this to some old cast iron pots, they were more orange than the University of Texas. Spent awhile in the vinegar with a battery charger and came out looking surprisingly nice. Not sure if the rifle steel vs cast iron is a problem but something to look into.

 

[ddavis]

Never tried it on a firearm, but I put rusty parts in boiling water for 20 minutes. Creates a black oxide finish. May have to wipe it down and do it again depending on the rust severity and type.

This is the process for old school rust bluing. You apply a chemical that causes the metal to rust. From there you can either card the loose rust off and have a "brown" finish or boil to create a blue finish. There is a YouTube channel ran by collectors who seem to know what they are talking about for restorations who recommend doing exactly as you say. Knock off the loose stuff then boil to basically blue the gun without removing anything that's already there.

 

[shoobe01]

I didn't mention anything about rust blueing because not cheap/expedient per my definitions. Pretty tedious, would have to make the steam tube, and it will take a fair amount of manual effort and time.

Cool to be able to do, cool look, but there's a reason it's from the old days when manual labor was cheap

 

[Snuby642]

Vinegar takes rust off of tools, dont know about bluing.

 

[myronman3]

get you a copper penny and rub it on the rust. then wipe off with kroil or whatever gun oil tickles your nuts. just make sure it is a copper penny.

 

[TresMon]

Great info form everyone. Thanks so much!