Author Topic: stainless NEF .243 with rust spots on barrel  (Read 552 times)

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Offline dustin

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stainless NEF .243 with rust spots on barrel
« on: November 06, 2008, 03:20:34 PM »
I've got a year old NEF .243 in stainless steel and it has small brown specks on the barrel that look like rust. This gun has been inside all its life and gets regular cleanings. These spots will not go away. It's still under warranty but I don't have the receipt...it was a gift from an ex. So I think I'll have a problem getting warranty work from NEF. Can I actually clean this off the barrel myself? With some sort of abrasive or sandpaper? or some cleaning agent? I like the gun and don't want to get rid of it. I do, however, want it to look its best. Any suggestions?

Offline LaOtto222

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Re: stainless NEF .243 with rust spots on barrel
« Reply #1 on: November 07, 2008, 12:01:30 AM »
Stainless Steel comes in many forms. 300 series Stainless is truly stainless. 400 series Stainless Steel, which most guns are made of, can show some rust. Most guns are 410 Stainless. They are "stain resistant", but not rust proof. Use some fine steel wool (000) and a light oil ( I use Kroil) to polish the spots off. You can use any light oil, like 3 in 1 light household oil. I am sure there are other methods. A polishing compound would probably work, but you may end up with spots that are shiner than the rest of the finish. Do not use sand paper, unless it is very fine. I use the steel wool it seems to work well. I keep an oil soaked one in a zip lock bag and use it to polish up any gun (even blued) that may have any rust on them. After you get it "rust" free, give it a coat of a good rust preventative, do not forget to coat the receiver too. Also - do not forget to look under the fore end for rust. I like Break Free , but Rem Oil is good and some even like WD-40. I think the first two I mentioned works a little better, but WD-40 is better than nothing, even better than some so called rust preventatives. Do not forget to keep the latch/lug free of oil. If you get any on there, wipe it off before your next shooting session or hunt. Since you say you clean often, just wipe it down when you clean your gun with your favorite rust preventative and you will not have any issues with rust. The receiver you have is nickle plated, not Stainless Steel. If you get any rust spots on the receiver, you can use a chrome polish on it. I have not tried the steel wool on chrome, but it would probably work on that too. The only SS receivers have come with either a 45-70 or 444 Marlin barrels as Ultras within the last year. Good Shooting and Good Luck.
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Offline the great orator

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Re: stainless NEF .243 with rust spots on barrel
« Reply #2 on: November 07, 2008, 03:29:30 AM »
I would try 0000 steel wool and oil first, and if that doesn't work, then try the 000.  The less "0"s, the more coarse the wool is.  I use EEZOX as a rust preventative.  Works great.   

Offline Singleshotsam

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Re: stainless NEF .243 with rust spots on barrel
« Reply #3 on: November 07, 2008, 03:34:30 AM »
I really like break free as a rust preventative as well.  It's not really that oily and seems to repel rust a whole lot better than WD.
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Offline rex6666

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Re: stainless NEF .243 with rust spots on barrel
« Reply #4 on: November 07, 2008, 04:22:53 AM »
I have used an old tooth brush and tooth paste, (tooth paste has a little abrasive)
works real good on lite rust, even on blued guns.
Rex
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Offline PHATINJUN

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Re: stainless NEF .243 with rust spots on barrel
« Reply #5 on: November 07, 2008, 05:11:59 AM »
I got a SS 223 bbl that had some serious scratches on the satin finish and ended up using fine emory cloth and a polishing wheel with polish took it right down to the metal looks very nice now with polished bbl and nickle frame as good as some Rugers iv'e seen also did the same with an Encore bbl once and it turned out great also.. Kurt
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Offline LaOtto222

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Re: stainless NEF .243 with rust spots on barrel
« Reply #6 on: November 07, 2008, 05:47:19 AM »
I would try 0000 steel wool and oil first, and if that doesn't work, then try the 000.  The less "0"s, the more coarse the wool is.  I use EEZOX as a rust preventative.  Works great.  


I thought 000 was the finest steel wool; I stand corrected, thank you. You do want to use a fine steel wool; courser will scratch. I know EEZox is a very good rust preventive. I could not think of it's name and I can not get it around my area any where. I can get Rem Oil at any store, including Walmart, that sells gun cleaning supplies and Break Free can be had in most of them. I have had real good luck with both the products I mentioned. I know EEZOX is very good too, it has been reported as so on this site by people I trust.
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Offline dustin

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Re: stainless NEF .243 with rust spots on barrel
« Reply #7 on: November 07, 2008, 12:45:43 PM »
I appreciate all your responses. I HATE for my guns to look bad. I'll be working on that tonight. Looks like a trip to Wal-Mart is in order for some steel wool. Thanks again!

Offline quickdtoo

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Re: stainless NEF .243 with rust spots on barrel
« Reply #8 on: November 07, 2008, 01:09:22 PM »
FWIW, H&R stainless barrels are made of 400 series stainless with magnetic qualities, good luck on the refinishing Dustin. ;)

Tim
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Offline STUMPJMPR

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Re: stainless NEF .243 with rust spots on barrel
« Reply #9 on: November 07, 2008, 01:12:36 PM »
I wonder how electrolysis would work here???  I did it on a alot of flood damaged guns that were rusted... You can remove the rust with out doing any extra damage to the metal... However, If it was pitted from rust it will still be pitted after this....

Offline dustin

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Re: stainless NEF .243 with rust spots on barrel
« Reply #10 on: November 07, 2008, 03:01:14 PM »
most of them rubbed right out. with some more elbow grease almost all will be gone i believe. i wiped it down with remoil after. it seems to have done the job though.