Shotgun Restoration

[SteveCase]

Ok heres my problem. I have an Ithaca 37 featherweight in 20ga. My dad bought it for 100 bucks back in the 80's when he was working at some retail store. The problem is that he gave it to my brother he doesn't take care of it and doesn't even shoot. SO basiclly the guns is now mine (it sits in my gun case and I take care of it). My brother left it in a padded soft case for about 3 months in our damp as all hell basement. It has been completly pitted over about 90% of the metal. Also it has been drilled and tapped to put on a old weaver red dot sight, the old fiberoptic tube kind. Now do you guys think it is worth it to send it back to Ithaca to be fixed, it really doesn't hold any centimental value but I hate the look of rust and pitted metal. And looking good is half battle. . I would try and remove some of the rust but I tried the CLP and 0000 steel wool on a rusty mossberg barrel and it took off the blueing (no big deal) so im not gonna try it on the Ithaca.

 

[Milkmaster]

Use bronze wool instead of the steel wool. The bronze wool will be a lot less wear and tear on the bluing. Take your time and make a winter time project out of it. You'll get there. Just be patient and take your time!

 

[Dave McCracken]

Metal,once gone, cannot be replaced.

Call Brownell's, talk to the techies. They can recommend a finish that will dress up your fine shotgun.

And with all due respect to your family, your sib deserves ten strokes with the Bastinado.....

 

[rcmodel]

CLP and 0000 steel wool on a rusty mossberg barrel and it took off the blueing

The steel wool & oil didn't take off the bluing.
The rust took off the bluing, and the steel wool & oil took off the rust.

rc

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I would suggest that you dissasemble it and do a thorough degreasing. Then take it to a machine shop to have it bead blasted. Degrease it again and apply a coating such as Duro-Coate or Gun-Kote etc. I personally like Brownell's Aluma-Hyde II. I think you will be pleased with the outcome.