Removing Rust on Milsurp Question...

G

Glock4ever

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
133   0   0
Location
Edmonton, AB
I was looking at the refinishing K98 thread and searched through some of the older posts for refinishing/cleaning milsurp threads and noticed that there seems to be a common theme that milsurps are better left in their original state. Does this opinion apply to rust as well? The reason I ask is that my third K31 had a bunch of rust spots on the barrel under the handguard (didn't see it in the store because you aren't allowed to disassemble the rifle). The rust spots looked like little patches of sand stuck to the barrel so when I was cleaning the rifle, I scraped it off as I thought it was just sand but I soon realized that it was a light rust so I just took some steel wool and polished it out. I than cold blued the spots to fix the removed bluing. Would collectors prefer to have the rust? I am not a collector but I am also not interested in wrecking history as well. I just made the decision thinking about preserving the rifle. So is it verbotten to remove rust?
 
In leaving the rust as is the rifle will slowly deteriorate for sure over time, by doing what you did you saved it from getting worse. It may not live as a perfect example, but you did save it. I would have done exactly the same thing.
 
you can use some penetrating fluid and a cotton patch.

But 50/50 ATF and Acetone I use as a mixture for penetrating fluid. That yielded good results in breaking up rust. and can just go heavy on the oil.
 
As both a collector and a shooter -

I would say that leaving it as found is more attractive to the collector.

If I bought it however, I would want to shoot it, and thus I would remove the rust myself (knowing that his may impact value)!
 
Unless there is a very good reason not to remove rust on that K31, just do it. The ATF/acetone works well and doesn't remove bluing. Unless you have a "relic" that is more appealing because of the dirt and rust it is very doubtful there will be any detraction from value. Don't grind it or gouge it out with a scribe. Just do as was mentioned above, use cotton patches soaked with a solvent and don't forget to use patience.
 
Too late now, I removed the rust and re-blued but I guess I will, in the future, take the advice of acetone and use some sort of penetrating fluid. Maybe it is just me but letting a rifle rust seems wrong...
 
A little high viscosity oil and some 000 Steel wool will remove the rust, enhance the appearance, prolong the life, maintain the functionality, which ultimately will preserve the historical value of the weapon( yes I said weapon!). Now take it out and shoot it, its just a K31 for Gods sake.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom