Quick Tip: How To Remove Light Rust From Your Firearm

Hi, I'm Steve with Brownells. Today, I want to share a quick tip about removing light rust from your firearm. It's something that many of us encounter, especially after hunting season or the summer months. Your gun might get exposed to moisture, get a bit of blood or even Coca-Cola on it, and before you know it, there's a layer of that nasty orange rust.

So, what do you do when you spot some rust? Let's look at a couple of examples I've got here. First, we have a barrel with a very light patina starting to form. For something this faint, all you really need is a bit of oil and a rag. Just apply some oil to the rag—it doesn't matter much what kind of oil, Hoppes will do—and give it a gentle wipe. If the rust is just on the surface, that's often enough to clean it off.

Now, if you're dealing with more serious rust, something that's really started to build up and turn orange, you'll need to be a bit more aggressive. That's where steel wool comes in. I use 4-0 steel wool because it's fine enough not to harm the bluing on your firearm but tough enough to get rid of the rust. You'll want to wet it with a bit of Hoppes or a similar product, which acts more as a lubricant in this case. Rub it gently on the affected area, and you'll start to see the rust lifting off.

Once you've worked on it for a bit, take a clean cloth and wipe down the area to see how much progress you've made. You might notice some pitting that won't go away—that's permanent damage that can only be fixed with professional refinishing. However, the rust itself should be gone.

If you've cleaned one rusty spot, it's a good idea to go over the entire gun with the steel wool and oil, as other areas might also be starting to rust. After you've cleaned it off, take some good gun oil, give it a final wipe down, and your firearm should be in great shape for the next season.

Remember, prevention is key. Don't store your guns in cases if they've been exposed to moisture, and be mindful of where you bring them inside during the winter. Moisture can condense on the metal and cause rust if not addressed properly.

Removing rust from your firearm is really quite simple, and there are good ways to both prevent and get rid of it. If you have any questions about rust removal or prevention, feel free to reach out or leave a comment below. Thanks for watching, and I'll see you next time.