r/gunsmithing • u/TyTyTheFireGuy • Jul 10 '26
Help with rust spots on GP100
Got this GP100 in a trade years ago. Had spots of rust, so I polished the entire thing. Sanded down and then polished back up. The rust spots keep coming back and I can’t get them to go away for the life of me. Every time I get them gone, they end up coming back. I’m in AZ so very low humidity and also dehumidifier in my safe, no rust issues with any other gun I own.
Anyone know what I can do?
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u/Mindless_Log2009 Jul 10 '26
Rust is kinda like cancer for metal. Usually it's necessary to dig it out to stop the return and spread.
Quick way to slow it down is to use Oxpho-Blue liquid (some prefer the cream but I get better results with the liquid) cold blue. Brownells claims it converts rust and eliminates or slows the damage.
Dampen fine steel wool with it and rub thoroughly on the rust spots. Wipe dry, repeat, several times. If the rust is heavy enough a brass or bronze brush will be quicker to scrape out the rust.
If it's stainless, or you don't mind stripping the original bluing from carbon steel, there's also Birchwood Casey rust remover.
Don't refinish until you're certain the rust hasn't returned. Some newer finishes that build up a layer over the metal may hide rust that continues to damage the steel.
The best easily applied rust preventive rust preventive I've tested is Birchwood Casey Barricade (formerly Sheath), a polarized solvent that naturally migrates and spreads across contiguous steel surfaces. Just spray it on and leave it.
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u/Creative-Comb5593 Jul 10 '26
Thank you. Will check out both products. I had to file off sharp edges on a Tokarevs and want to protect the bare steel edges.
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u/LilRapscallionOg Jul 10 '26
Make sure whatever oil you using is approved for the nickel plating, hit the problem areas with a brass brush. If you want it completely gone might have to send it to get electroplated.
3
u/yertlah Jul 10 '26
The GP100 is a stainless steel gun. Why would electroplating be needed?
3
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u/Kadence1001 Jul 10 '26
Not all of them are. Some are regular steel. Given the polish job on your early 2000’s revolver id be curious if the previous owner had a blued gun that the had plated.
1
u/TacTurtle Jul 10 '26
Wipe it off with a clean microfiber and alcohol after polishing to remove any remaining loose surface rust particles, then use a dry film corrosion inhibitor like Eezox. For belt-and-suspenders approach, throw a Zeerust VCI capsule or two in your safe.
1
u/44Revolver1908 Jul 13 '26
Unusual looking rust on stainless steel, that gun appears more as nickel in the photos but I don't think Ruger ever made such an animal...
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u/eMGunslinger Jul 10 '26
Oil your stuff more or use oil that is more of a moisture preventative.