Post-IKE surprise

[Quoheleth]

As heat & humidity return to south-east Texas following IKE's visit last week, I thought it meet, right and salutary to take my weapons out of the hidey-holes they have been in since last weekend and give them a wipe-down.

Springer GI - good to go.
Ruger SP101 - no problems at all
Smith MP9 - CRUMBALLS! Rust on the rear sight!!! It's a very fine rust - almost like dust, size-wise, but its definitely there. These are the factory-original Novaks. Honestly, if I were a betting man, I would bet this was from skin contact and not just in the air. Nevertheless, I'm disappointed...

Two quick questions -
One, suggestions for getting it off? WD40 & elbow grease?
Two, suggestions for keeping it off?

Let me be clear: I am not fishing for Smith to send me free night-sights or something. I want to a) clean this up and b) prevent it from happening again.

thanks,
Q

 

[Crazy Fingers]

Take some 0000 steel wool and soak it in oil. Very lightly go over the rust with it and it should come right off. Keep it oiled and it shouldn't come back. That real light dusty rust won't cause any noticeable damage once it is removed.

 

[EdLaver]

Funny, I had the same problem after Ike. I used a light coat of Corrosion-X. If you are keeping your windows open until you get power, the humidity is the reason for the light rusting. Once your power comes back give them another once over and they should be fine. You can buy Corrosion-X at any Carter's Country or on-line.

 

[lanternlad1]

I kept all my weapons out and ready to go during and after Ike. If people were going to be going crazy like in N.O., I was going to be ready. (Luckily, this IS Texas, and people here have more sense than that.)

 

[PotatoJudge]

So long as there's no tritium or plastic on the sights, use some CLP or other oil and a brass brush (the finer the better). If there's plastic I'd just wipe it with a cloth and oil. I would seriously avoid the steel wool as it'll wear the finish and scratch whatever it touches.

 

[sniper7369]

A toothbrush and some CLP or other oil will take it off without scratching anything.

 

[usp9]

Two quick questions -
One, suggestions for getting it off? WD40 & elbow grease?
Two, suggestions for keeping it off?

Two products that prevent surface rust very well are Ballistol and Eezox. Either one used with a short bristle brush and/ or a Flitz cloth should work and keep rust from occuring again.

 

[gwnorth]

Another vote for Ballistol. I was introduced to this stuff by a local gunsmith/gunshop owner who uses it on all their display weapons. It's safe for just about any material (metal, wood, plastic, rubber) and any finish.

 

[tinygnat219]

Once you're done with the getting rid of rust, get some "Barricade" and treat all your guns with it. It's wonderful stuff.

 

[Quoheleth]

I didn't have any of those cool things y'all mentioned, so I went with my old stand-by: WD-40, a small piece of the green plastic scrub pad you use on teflon-coated pans (i.e. not brass), and an old wash cloth.

Dribbled a little WD40 on the sight, let it sit for a few minutes, rubbed with the scrub pad, wiped it down with the cloth and it's good as gold.

Wiped it down then with a little RemOil and it's set.

It's just frustrating that a stainless gun (which I bought, in part, because it IS stainless) has non-stainless sites on it.

Q

 

[HGUNHNTR]

WD-40 has no place around firearms. As stated before it would be wise to get a soft bristled brush or 0000 steel wool and a quality lubricant. Light surface rust will be easily removed, and controlled by lightly coating the pistol with a protectant of your choice. (not wd40 its great for squeaky doors and the like just not guns)

Most people put more oil IN a firearm, and not enough on the OUTSIDE when they are storing it. This is exactly the opposite of what you should do, as the external parts are exposed to the elements.

 

[lesjones]

Salty fingers are a major reason I like stainless steel. I have a few blued guns I've had since I was a kid in the Seventies and a couple of them have rust speckling that won't come out.

I use CLP on everything. For guns that won't get shot for years I use Corrosion-X. I just picked up some RIG to try for long-term storage.

 

[Lonestar49]

...

Many fine products mentioned, with testimony's, already.

Here's one more.. Get some EEZOX and apply, as a little goes a long ways.

Directions on can for application and uses..


Ls

 

[SureThing]

I thought M&P's had stainless slides anyway? Why would it have rust?

 

[Quack]

the rust was on the rear sight, which isn't stainless

 

[Jake in TX]

Rather than using steel wool, get some bronze wool. Steel wool can take off bluing if you're not very careful; bronze wool won't as easily. I found some in a local Ace Hardware, in the same aisle as the steel wool.

Jake in TX