doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Rust & Bluing Remover

I’m looking for the ultimate rust & bluing remover, something that will remove rust & bluing without frosting or pickling the underlying metal surface. Something that will give me a bright clean surface. Would prefer something that won’t rust the rest of my shop.
Thanks

Mike Hunter
Hunter Restorations

Brownell's Steel White. Don't know if it's the ultimate, but it works pretty well.

I second the Brownells Steel white we use it at the school it can be a little slow to remove all the bluing but it leaves the metal very nice and is reusable. Good Stuff.

Michael J

Steel White does work well but it will leave your metal a frosty gray finish. Not bright....

Ever hear of Naval Jelly? It's phosphoric acid and will remove the bluing in seconds and the rust in a short time.

Thanks for the feedback, over the years I’ve tried a bunch of products:
Phosphoric Acid (Naval jelly, BC etc) , Hydrochloric Acid, Nitric Acid, Sulphuric Acid, Acetic Acid, Evap –O Rust, Brownells Steel White etc.

So far all will either etch the base steel or leave a film that needs to be polished off. Neither is overly acceptable for finely engraved guns, guns with lots of nooks & crannies or when you need to preserve as much of the original polishing marks as possible.

I’m sure that there is a solution out there, just need to find it.

Thanks

Mike Hunter
http://www.hunterrestorations.com

I find Naval Jelly just too aggressive for most gun projects, and suspect that if you don't get ALL of it off the metal, the residue left in any pits may make them deeper. Good for anchors, axeheads, and farm tools, even old knives. Not so hot for guns. Steel White, then very careful buffing with a soft wheel at low revs? Add a little Bore Shine if needed?