Last Updated on March 6, 2023
Every person has a different hobby and need. Some people like to collect antiques, some like to collect cars and some like to collect guns. It does not matter if you own the gun because you need it or if it is because of your unique hobby. But one thing everyone knows for sure is that they don’t want their money to go to waste.
If we are dealing with a 100-year-old firearm or the latest gun we must be aware of the things that affect the beauty and the efficiency of our gun. One of the things that affect our guns is rust. If it is metal then it will surely get rusted and that includes our gun.
In this article, we are going to share how rust forms on the gun, how it will affect the gun, how to clean rust off the gun, and how you can protect the gun from rusting.
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How Rust Form On A Gun?
When metal is exposed to oxygen and moisture rust occurs. It is all because of the oxidation process in which oxygen, iron, and moisture react to form iron oxide. This oxidation process results in rust on the surface of the gun or in special parts.
Rust in Firearms: Some ammunition contains corrosive material that is left behind the salts. The salt and the moisture react and start the rusting process. It is the same as throwing the gun in seawater which is the reason why rust occurs in a firearm.
In carrying guns, rust is also very common because guns keep close to the human body. This exposes the gun to the sweat and moisture that later starts the rusting process.
How does Rust Effects The Gun?
The rust not only affects the overall look and beauty of the gun. But, the rust on different parts has a different effect on the efficiency of the gun. Rust creates the rough surface on the moving parts of the gun and that creates the drag, which results in friction and pressure.
- If the slide is rusted it may not cycle, extract or eject.
- It leads to failure of loading if the magazine part is rusted.
- Rust in the barrel increases the pressure which may cause the gun to explode.
Ways To Clean Rust Off The Gun
Rust not only makes the gun look bad but firemen are not able to do the work that they are supposed to do. The solution to all these problems is to clean rust off the gun and here are some of the methods that are quite helpful for cleaning rust off the gun.
Separate All Parts Of Gun
Before starting to clean the rust from the gun, separate all parts of the gun. In this way, you have a close look at the rusted part and which areas are more damaged. On this basis, you can be able to decide which method you are going to use to clean rust off a gun.
Abrasive Material Like Steel Wool Pad
The first step in removing rust from the gun is simply to remove the oxidation without damaging the bluing of the gun. That’s why while cleaning rust off guns, abrasive material plays an important role. Try to avoid the use of materials like a brush with wire bristles and sandpaper.
To remove the small amount of rust that is not fixed in the metal, using a steel wool pad is quite effective. With a little bit of elbow grease and steel wool, you can easily take care of the surface rust. Avoid putting too much pressure while scrubbing the gun with steel wool.
Use Of Lubricant To Clean Rust Off Gun
If the scrubbing with steel wool does not clean rust off then it is time to use the lubricant. The lubricant plays an important role in separating the rust from the gun parts and then makes it easier to remove. Apply the gun oil to the rusted part of the gun and keep the oil for a few minutes.
Then use the steel wool or regular toothbrush to remove the rust from the surface. If you see that the color of the oil is changing then it means you are making progress. After that, clean the surface of the gun with a clean cloth. Cooking oil can also be used as a lubricant but it is not effective for deep rust.
Use Of Battery Charger To Clean Rust Off Gun
The use of the battery charger to remove rust is a perfect method if the firearm is made of brass, alloy, and copper and severely rusted.
- The first thing that you need to do is to mix one tablespoon of washing soda in 4 liters of water to make an alkaline bath. Remember to use a plastic container to make this bath.
- Put the firearm in an alkaline bath and use a method that holds the rebar firmly that is submerged beside the firearm.
- Attach the negative end to the firearm and the positive to the rebar that is dipped in the alkaline bath.
- After attaching both ends, switch to the battery charger. Remember to use the low setting. After some time, you notice that the rust is falling off the firearm when the bubble starts forming in the bath.
- Continue this process for some hours and then take the gun out of the water and clean it with a dry cloth.
WD-40 To Clean Rust Off Gun
The WD-40 is also used to remove the rust from the gun. This is the quickest method to remove the rust from the gun. All you need to do is to spray the WD-40 on a rusted place, leave it for about 24 hours and then clean the surface with a cloth.
The advantage of this method is that it does not affect the bluing of the gun but this method is not useful for the old tough rust.
How To Protect the Gun From Rusting?
Protection is much better than removing. Remember to take good care of the gun so it does not get rusted. Just by following some simple tips and tricks, you can protect the gun from getting rusted.
- Always keep the gun on the right cover which is mainly waterproof.
- Remember not to keep the gun in a moist place.
- Keep the gun at a suitable temperature that is at around 70-degree Fahrenheit.
- Oil the gun once a week.
- Avoid taking the gun out in bad weather and if it is an emergency remember to clean it after using it.
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Conclusion
In this article, we’ve shared information about how to clean rust off the gun, how it affects the gun, and what things a user can do to protect the gun from rusting. By removing the rust from a gun, you can increase the gun’s life. After buying the gun, do not hesitate to invest in a gun cover because it plays an important role in protecting the gun from all external factors.
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