Refinishing questions

[scallop]

I have an older Ruger single six that has been very mistreated in its past. All finish, bluing is gone. Pretty much down to bare metal with an ugly combination of surface rust and stains. I have oiled it to stop any further rusting.

Gun functions and shoots fine. So, I figure to remove the stocks, cylinder ect and chuck it into a tub of Evaporust for a day or two and then cold blue or guncoat it.

Will tossing it into the Evaporust hurt any of the internals ? Anything else I should remove or be aware of? Good idea or bad? Dunk in degreaser before Evaporust, then a squirt two of Ballistol back into the internals when done?


Gun holds no real value either sentimental or monetary, just want to make it visually more appealing.

Any input or advice appreciated.

 

[john323]

If internal springs are rusted they will be weakened. Best to remove ,inspect and replace if necessary all internals before putting it in Evaporust.

 

[Kp321]

I would stay away from the Evaporust for this application. Don't really like it in the interior of the barrel and cylinder. If it was mine, I would plug the bore and cylinder chambers, bead blast and Duracoat.

 

[Jim Watson]

Evaporust is pretty mild, but take the gun apart, don't just dunk the whole thing.

Ruger will reblue it for $130 and it will probably look better than you expect.

 

[rcmodel]

+1

1. DO NOT emerge a complete firearm in any sort of mild rust remover, EVER!!!

2. YOU CANNOT COLD BLUE A RUGER. The cast chrome-moly steel used in the receiver or frame will not cold blue satisfactorily no matter how hard you try.

3. Bite the bullet, Send it to Ruger, and get it back looking like new again!!

rc

 

[scallop]

Heck, I only have $25.00 in the thing, was just looking for a project to keep me amused.

Might think about sending back to Ruger though. Will they do any gun of any age, no matter if original owner or not or from a private party purchase.

 

[rcmodel]

If it says Ruger on it, they will re-finish it, for whatever the fee is now.

rc

 

[Coyote3855]

If it's an "older" Single Six, does it have the transfer bar ignition system? Older is relative, my Single Six was bought new in 1960. I assume if it does not have the transfer bar now, it will when it come back from Ruger? May not matter to the OP. I think Ruger does return the original parts if they install the transfer bar.

 

[scallop]

I think it has the transfer bar, would have to dig it out of the safe to see. If not I would keep it original.

Not sure if I will send it out or not yet.

Since the consensus seems to be it is not a good idea to plunk it into a tub of evaporust, can I ask why? Will the evaporust damage the interior or any parts? Just curious as I don't know a lot about the product.