Author Topic: Rusted Barrel??? (Read 648 times)

Lawful Larry · « **on:** February 13, 2004, 08:51:53 AM »

Got a nice gift from a friend, a 14" .30-30 barrel. He picked it up along the way and doesn't have a TC anymore. The only problem is that the barrel has some severe rusting and pitting on the outer barrel. The Inside is in great shape. I have two ways to take care of this problem. One I could do the work myself, or two send it off the have it reblued. The rust seems to have pooled around the forend and is pitted.

I would use the barrel for deer hunting and don't know if I want to spend the money for the professional job. I was thinking of just getting some Blue Wonder and 0000 steel wool and cleaning it up that way. If I use it for the woods, I don't need a pretty barrel.

Any thoughts on this subject? I live in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Does anyone know a good place to send the barrel close by my home?

Thanks,
LL

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2004, 09:33:18 AM »

Larry,

I suggest that you find someone with a sand blaster and sand blast the exterior surface which will leave a matte finish after you reblue it yourself.

It will hold oil better, not shine and make a nice hunting finish.

flyfisher · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2004, 11:23:49 AM »

Thomas has a nice idea...either a good sandblasting or a beadblasting would make quite a unique finish. Since you stated that it doesn't need to look pretty, what does it matter? I am a bit of a tight-wad, so if I can do it myself, I will.

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2004, 11:33:00 AM »

Actually it looks extremly nice. I have about half a dozen barrels with nicely blued finishes done like that a number of years back when my gunsmith still did bluing.

I wanted to take the shine off. They look like black velvet and when done, which is exactly what I wanted. It can be really pretty.

Now one of my buddies has a sand/bead blasting outfit that he uses when restoring antique tractor parts. When I get short of projects I will take some barrels over to him and see what I can come up with.

Joe Kool · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2004, 08:23:31 PM »

I have had to deal with this same problem. I soak the rust with CorrosionX for about 12 hours, then just scratch the rust away with my thumbnail. If the rust is real bad, I use a fine steel wool. If you scrape some rust off and can see the CorrosionX didn't penetrate clean through the rust, soak for 12 more hours. When the rust is gone, the metal will still be blue. There will still be a pit, but it will be blue, and will not look too bad.

spinafish · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2004, 05:16:45 AM »

If you have a stainless frame and would like the barrel to match, you could have E.A.Brown apply their French Grey finish. They will sandblast and polish as needed before doing the finishing. Just a thought.

rickyp · « **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2004, 02:54:23 AM »

something else. you can sand down all the rust and old bluing off clean the bare really real well.
then get some rustolum spray paint, get a coat hanger run it trough the bore and make a hook on both ends. spray paint the barrel any way you like. set the oven to about 200 and "bake" the paint on the barrel.

Graycg · « **Reply #7 on:** February 15, 2004, 03:51:24 AM »

I had a rusty old 35 barrel and did what Ricky said with the rustoelem and oven treatment, I can strongly recommend it as a great low dollar investment in making your barrel ready for range or hunt. I wouldn't invest too much money in a pitted barrel unless you plan on keeping it forever, the resale on a pitted barrel won't be too great.

regards,
Graycg

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #8 on:** February 15, 2004, 12:58:43 PM »

Hey Joe, Where do they sell this CorrosionX? Not familiar with it. This sounds like a good idea if it works. I also like the idea of blasting the barrel and then using the rustoleum and bake job. Does it stink up the oven? Don't want the little woman getting her arse up around her shoulders about the oven.

If I want to go the professional bluing job, what do they cost?

Thanks for the responses guys,
LL

TCShooter · « **Reply #9 on:** February 15, 2004, 03:26:56 PM »

I did this to a gun but did as Graybeard said once and "baked" it in the sun. He put his in a truck but I just left it in a hot house shed and the finish is still in tact.

Good luck.

Mario

rickyp · « **Reply #10 on:** February 15, 2004, 03:50:05 PM »

The hot truck will do just as good. but it would not be good it you drop the barrel with wet paint in your truck. the oven rack can clean up rather easy.

A way to get around the smell of paint in the over is. to do it when she is working and about an hour before she comes home you get some ez off oven cleaner and "clean out the oven for her" :-D

If you use the penetrating oil make sure you degrease the barrel real well before painting it.

If you where to send it out it would be bout as much as the barrel is worth with the pitting

Joe Kool · « **Reply #11 on:** February 15, 2004, 08:47:58 PM »

Lawful Larry, you can order CorrosionX at: http://www.shooterssafetyproducts.com
If you want to paint the barrel, a wonderful paint called 'Aluma-Hyde II' is available from Brownells. Just sand the barrel with 320 paper, degrease it, and spray on the Alum-Hyde II. Let the barrel cure for 2 weeks and you will get a finish that you will need a file to rip it off. I paint the barrels and actions of my 98 Mausers that I use for rough duty with Aluma-Hdye II, and it holds up for years.