Routine Gun Finish Maintenance
I have received many inquiries from readers who ask about the best way to remove small rust spots from guns, and how best to prevent them. That seems like something everyone should know, so here's what works for me:
(Use the following link for a quick and easy how-to on rust removal.)
The very best way to remove surface rust on a gun is to get some steel wool (00 will work, but 000 is a little finer, which will be easier on the bluing) and some gun oil. Any light oil will work, like 3-in-1, or regular gun oil like Hoppes. Put some oil on and around the spots, and gently rub in a circular motion with the steel wool.
Make sure you keep enough oil where you're working, or the steel wool will eat into the bluing. Don't bear down hard, because that too will damage the finish. Wipe the rusty oil off with a rag after a bit, and if any rust is left, repeat the process.
When you're done (when there's no rust at all left), keep an eye on that spot. It will be the first place to rust in the future. Never use sandpaper, emery cloth, or any other abrasives on your guns! Stay away from wire brushes as well, unless the finish is beyond salvation and you need to remove some heavy rust.
You can touch up any scratches, dings, or otherwise damaged areas on blued steel easily using touch-up bluing, available in liquid or paste at any good sporting goods store or gun shop. Birchwood-Casey is one brand of paste I've used; it comes in a tube and is easy to use.
Simply apply a thin coat of the paste (I use a cotton ball or cotton swab) on & around the damaged area, allow it to dry to a haze, and wipe it off with a clean dry cloth, making sure to remove all of the paste. Apply oil as described below, and watch the area closely. Bluing is actually a type of controlled oxidation, and the touched-up spot will be a little more prone to rust than the rest of the gun. This kind of touch-up work can really help the appearance of scratched or worn guns.
The best way I know to keep rust off of a gun is simply to wipe it down with oil. I use an old piece of T-shirt that has become saturated with oil over the years. Again, 3-in-1 will work, but I regular gun oil is better. A very fine rust preventative and lube is Militec-1. I have tested and reviewed this product. I have also done a review of FP-10, which also works well.
For rust prevention, just put some oil on the gun, in drops or whatever, and wipe with a rag until you have a uniform coat on all parts that may rust. Don't try to oil the whole gun at once; work on a small area at a time. You don't have to put it on heavily; just make sure all surfaces are covered lightly. This is a quick & easy way to protect the finish of your guns.
Store them, if possible, in a cool dry place. Do not store them in gun cases, unless the cases happen to be impregnated with some kind of rust preventative. I wipe my guns down and put them in my safe, which is inside my home. It helps if you can store them in your house, since the air conditioner and heater will keep the air fairly dry, thus reducing the possibility of rust. Check them every few months, and wipe them down again as needed.
I always keep an eye on my guns if I'm hunting for a few days in a row; many times they'll require a wipe-down every day or two.
-Russ Chastain
