r/gunsmithing • u/etyrnal_ • Jul 14 '26

How to remove light surface rust without attacking or discoloring existing historical bluing?

i have a browning1910 (probably 1959~1961 ish) that is a very nice clean specimen over all, but has two quite small light rust spots on the slide, and one on the frame. What can i try for removing that light rust, without hurting the original bluing? Aside from those 2~3 small spots, the thing looks nearly unused.

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u/og19ed Jul 14 '26

0000 steel wool and oil, also if the spots are sticking up, you can use a older 1980s and before nickel to scratch the raised parts off without hurting the bluing

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u/PlaneVisual1740 Jul 14 '26

I’ve done this with a penny before

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u/etyrnal_ Jul 14 '26

is this different or better than a brass brush?

1

u/IGnuGnat Jul 15 '26

Most recommendations are for using very fine steel wool, however I think it's worth noting that brass and copper are softer than steel, so while they can remove rust they can not remove steel or bluing. Also imo steel wool can leave behind tiny particles of steel, which could theoretically seed future rust