Cleaning Rust

**marstev** · February 1st, 2020, 10:56 AM

What is everyone's best go-to material and/or method for cleaning rust? Is there a soak or ultrasonic alternative to abrasive scrubbing? I have a WWII Japanese Arisaka with small rust spots that I am trying to find the best way to restore while trying to avoid surface abrasions.

**57springer** · February 1st, 2020, 01:05 PM

Check out a "big 45 pad " , never used them but folks on the forums brag about them. 7 bucks or so .

**Walleye Hunter** · February 1st, 2020, 01:41 PM

If you can soak it vinegar works miracles on rust but make sure you rinse it all off when you're done.

**t1066** · February 1st, 2020, 10:27 PM

Depending on the item, I like electrolytic de-rusting.

Though I use carbon gouging rods rather than rebar for my electrodes.

**Delkal** · February 1st, 2020, 11:11 PM

Careful with acids or electrolysis. It will remove the rust but also strip off the blueing. If it is just on small areas find a scrap piece of brass with a sharp 90 edge. Put some oil / bore cleaner on the rust and scrape away. The active rust will scrape off. You will see brass marks being left on the bluing but don't worry. When you are done they can be removed with OOOO steel wool and oil.

I never had this method damage the finish of unrusted blued metal (don't remember trying this with a Parked finish) but go slow to start. When you are sure there will be no damage scrub away.

**ar15jules** · February 1st, 2020, 11:36 PM

0000 steel wool and oil have worked wonders for me as stated above.

**Delkal** · February 2nd, 2020, 12:37 AM

Originally Posted by ar15jules

0000 steel wool and oil have worked wonders for me as stated above.

Just a clarification to the brass method I described. 0000 steel wool and oil is what to try first. If the rust is just freckles it can be removed quickly. But if it is a deeper corroded pit you need more than fine steel wool to get to the bottom of it. Abrasives like sandpaper can work but you will remove the bluing next to the rust and you will always see where you sanded. With the brass method you can scrape out the rust but leave the bluing.

You need to get rid of all of the active rust or it will come back. And don't be surprised if you get a pit where the rust was. Its unavoidable. The metal was already gone.