China Camps - how do I kill a few rust spots?

[SAAJim]

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I've got two really fine China Camps in .45 Colt with the Silver Steel finish - fancy name for in the white. Over the years I've picked up a few rust spots. What would you recommend to remove the rust specks - nothing deep just surface specks? I've got a rust killer for working on my car but that turns the steel a dark color; I want something to neutralize the rust without discoloring the steel. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jim

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

Jim,
If it is just some light spotting (metal discoloration) you might try some Hoppe's #9 and some VERY fine steel wool.
If the staining is persistant you might try some very fine crocus cloth, available in the sandpaper section of most hardware stores.  Practice with it a bit on an old knife blade or something similar so that you can see the effect it has before taking it to your gun.
Another product that might help, if the spotting is not too bad, is NeverDull.  It is a metal polishing product sold by most automotive stores.  Basically, it is a can of cotton wadding that has been permiated with a polishing compound.  Works great on chrome, nickel, copper, brass, etc..  I would imagine that it would work on polished steel as well.

[RRio]

Believe I would try "Blue Wonder Cleaner" and some 0000 steel wool, then polish it out with "Semichrome Polish".

How old and what barrel lengths are your China Camps?

[Virginia Gentleman]

Another option with a permenant fix is to have the gun hard chromed with a brushed finish.  It will look better and will have about the same corrosion resistance as stainless steel.

[SAAJim]

Thanks for replies; a pard over on the SASS Wire recommended Flitz. I called my local Ace Hardware store and they're ordering a tube for $5. I'll give it a try and use some real fine steel wool and see what happens. I've been thinking of having them hot blued. They do glisten in the sunlight and I imagine hard chrome would do the same.

Jim

[Wrangler Rich]

Jim,

I would use the Flitz before trying the harsher methods with crocus cloth, steel wool, and such.  Flitz has a chemical in it that will probably do exactly what you want.  I'll bet it will leave them in a like new condition.

[Wolfcamp Hill]

Howdy,

what did you end up finding out about the rust spot situation?  i have a china camp with a few little spors too, have used the flitz with good results but it takes a while to get it done.  a side benefit is that the flitz seems to leave a protective coating on the metal maybe like a wax?  water beads up on it.  i have used it to brighten the finish on blued guns as well.

[SAAJim]

Howdy Wolfcamp,
I got some Flitz and tried it and it worked OK but it seems to work best with just the lightest rust spots. What I did was use very fine steel wool and some rust killer I got from Advance Auto Parts from their body work section. I just rubbed it in with the steel wool, let it work on the rust for a little while and then wiped it off and followed with a little Flitz polishing for a little added protection. I am thinking of getting them hot blued one of these days.

Jim

[Wolfcamp Hill]

Much obliged! 

Wolfcamp