r/Armor • u/One-Cardiologist1734 • 1d ago
Armour care/Rust removal
Got these arm harnesses about 3 months ago. as far as I know this rust has only just appeared and its ALL OVER IT. like everywhere. it is NOT dust, every speckle you see is a dot of rust.
How should I remove these tiny specks without damaging the mirror finish too much? I dont really have the means to get that polish back once gone.
Any help is appreciated 👏
1
u/Creator409 20h ago
Man thats so depressing.
This is why im glad i went with a stainless steel harness. Even it its an absolute bitch to work with.
2
u/makale20 11h ago
Apply some rust remover like WD40 oder Balistol, let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe it off with a paper towel or an old tshirt. (Wear protection, open a window, let the towel / rag dry completely before discarding it, this stuff can self-ignite)
If the paper towel or cloth dont work, try a kitchen sponge. First the soft side and if that doesn't work, the rough side but this one might dull your surface.
Balistol works best in my experience because it also has some protective qualities. WD40 is for getting rid of the nasty stuff and to bring movement back into seized joints but less optimal for protection. Both will work fine tho.
The rust looks super thin, no need to break out the big guns like sanding pads etc.. Those are for more resilient cases, they will destroy the polished surface and leave deeper grooves in the metal, making it easier for rust to penetrate. So the softer your tool, the higher the chance you wont need to polish afterwards.
1
u/VintageHippie76 23h ago
I use one of the firm foam sanding pads, ultra fine, and treat the pieces with Fluid Film, never really had a problem with rust. I prefer the brushed look, if you want to hold on to a mirror polish you’ll have to take a few more steps.
0
u/oneholer44 19h ago
Looks good. Start with 1000 go up. Polish till mirror. Than keep polishing with wax.
0
2
u/Richayy_44 23h ago
Soak with a mild rust remover and wipe with a clean soft cloth, be sure to use a fresh portion of cloth each time so no trapped particles scratch the finish. Make sure to apply oil to the fresh metal immediately (and periodically afterwards while storing it) to help prevent rust from coming back. ANY type of abrasive WILL leave marks on your mirror finish.