What would be the best way to clean a pitted rifle barrel. I couldnot remove them from the outer surface of the barrel?
Cleaning pits
- Thread starter gbourne
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Are you talking about pitting in the bore of the barrel or on the outside?
Either way, you are not going to be able to remove them. The pits are metal that has been disolved, probably from rust. You can't put the metal back and if it's in the bore, you do not want to remove any more metal than is already gone or you'll end up with a smoothbore.
If it's on the outside, I guess you may be able to have somebody remove the barrel and turn it down on a lathe to remove the rusted layer, but it's probably not worth the expense.
The best you can do is damage control: Use some Breakfree CLP or KROIL and a brass brush to remove any active rust, then reblue the area with Cold Blue (I like the Brownell's Gel). On some guns, a dark Parkerizing or using something like Flat Black Gunkote may make the damaged area less obvious.
If the pits are very deep, the rifle may be unsafe to fire. Can you take any pics of the damaged area?
Either way, you are not going to be able to remove them. The pits are metal that has been disolved, probably from rust. You can't put the metal back and if it's in the bore, you do not want to remove any more metal than is already gone or you'll end up with a smoothbore.
If it's on the outside, I guess you may be able to have somebody remove the barrel and turn it down on a lathe to remove the rusted layer, but it's probably not worth the expense.
The best you can do is damage control: Use some Breakfree CLP or KROIL and a brass brush to remove any active rust, then reblue the area with Cold Blue (I like the Brownell's Gel). On some guns, a dark Parkerizing or using something like Flat Black Gunkote may make the damaged area less obvious.
If the pits are very deep, the rifle may be unsafe to fire. Can you take any pics of the damaged area?
They are minor raised rust spots that will be pits when i figure out how to clean them. Its looking like I will need some kind of abrasive to remove them. For some reason Hoppes #9 and a toothbrush isnt working. I read about a instant engine rebuild in a can. Do you think it might replace the metal on the outside of the barrel, they claim it will make your engin run like new.
gbourne, DO NOT do any rubbing just yet. Get some Ballistol (see here for more info) and soak the rusty spots overnight with it. In the morning, wipe it off with a soft cloth. If there is still rust visible, repeat this performance as often as necessary. After two or three applications, you can GENTLY rub these areas with 0000 steel wool soaked in Ballistol. This overall treatment is the gentlest way I know to remove rust, and will cause minimal damage to the finish of your gun. I've done several this way. Trust me, it really works!
I soaked the spot with CLP and brushed the rust spots with brass brush.
You can get brass brush from any hardware store.
-Pat
You can get brass brush from any hardware store.
-Pat
Thanks for the replies guys. I wanted to get this rifle up to snuff and then protect it so it doesnt happen again.
Better than any abrasive! Try this:
Soak rust with any good gun oil, Marvel Mystery Oil, Kroil, etc. Rub back and forth over the rusty area with a round blade screw driver, applying pressure as needed to the side or rounded surface of the screw driver. You'll be surprised at the results.
The rounded surface does not scratch the surrounding area finish and leaves a brown, but smooth surface where rust was.
Sounds like the Ballistol might be the "oil" to use in combination with the screw driver.
Problem w/steel wool or brass brush is that they tend to remove surrounding bluing where round bit of screw driver doesn't.
Let us know how you make out.
Regards,
hps
Soak rust with any good gun oil, Marvel Mystery Oil, Kroil, etc. Rub back and forth over the rusty area with a round blade screw driver, applying pressure as needed to the side or rounded surface of the screw driver. You'll be surprised at the results.
The rounded surface does not scratch the surrounding area finish and leaves a brown, but smooth surface where rust was.
Sounds like the Ballistol might be the "oil" to use in combination with the screw driver.
Problem w/steel wool or brass brush is that they tend to remove surrounding bluing where round bit of screw driver doesn't.
Let us know how you make out.
Regards,
hps
Pits? Surface rust?
*** A Breakfree CLP soaked piece of 0000 Steel wool rubbed over the area may be all it takes. As long as there is lube in the steel wool there will be no noticable damage to the finish. If more agressive action is required try a sharp edge of solid copper then finish up with the treatment above. ***This has always worked for me BUT I'd be inclined to try Preacherman's Ballistol method first.(I know I'll try it first next time as any abrasion is to be avoided if at all possible.)
*** A Breakfree CLP soaked piece of 0000 Steel wool rubbed over the area may be all it takes. As long as there is lube in the steel wool there will be no noticable damage to the finish. If more agressive action is required try a sharp edge of solid copper then finish up with the treatment above. ***This has always worked for me BUT I'd be inclined to try Preacherman's Ballistol method first.(I know I'll try it first next time as any abrasion is to be avoided if at all possible.)
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