Gun Rust Question

[Bill Amsden]

Hey Folks....I own four stainless pistols and only one is causing me fits. The Colt 1911, bought it new last year. Has the brushed stainless finish with polished finish on the sides of the slide. The brushed finish will develop a very thin layer of rust if I leave unattended for more than a few weeks, no problems with the polished finish. I have been watching this for several months so every two or three weeks I will oil it and clean it. All the rust will come off. Now I don't mind cleaning my guns but this just seems to be excessive but I am not going to just let it go. I have used Rem Oil and Ballistol and neither will prevent this, is there a better oil that will prevent this? I think it's moisture that is causing this, maybe due to the rougher surface??? however why is this not happening to my other stainless pistols or guns for that matter, I was half wondering if it was the metal Colt used because my Kimber and S&W's are fine and don't require much attention at all. Using a Remington dehumidifier as I was not impressed with the Golden Rod. Just was curious if any of you had experienced with this or had any thoughts or ideas? Going to clean it again today and probably move to a different location to see what it does.

 

[missoak]

Metallurgy is an exact science. There could be a problem with the steel used in that batch of guns.
A thin coating of oil should keep the rust at bay. Big fluctuations in temperature will create condensation, & rust.

I had a similar problem with tools in my garage in the winter when I heated my garage. It gets REAL cold here in Michigan, so I used a Propane heater to warm up the garage. All of my tools eventually got rust on them. After cleaning the rust off, I sprayed each tool with a silicone lubricant. Problem solved. Used car wax on the top of my table saw. Maybe that would be worth a try.

Good luck, having a rusty Colt would break my heart.

 

[Ringo]

Johnson Past Wax will solve your rust problem.

 

[Stengun]

Howdy,

Metallurgy is an exact science. There could be a problem with the steel used in that batch of guns.
A thin coating of oil should keep the rust at bay. Big fluctuations in temperature will create condensation, & rust.

I had a similar problem with tools in my garage in the winter when I heated my garage. It gets REAL cold here in Michigan, so I used a Propane heater to warm up the garage. All of my tools eventually got rust on them. After cleaning the rust off, I sprayed each tool with a silicone lubricant. Problem solved. Used car wax on the top of my table saw. Maybe that would be worth a try.

Good luck, having a rusty Colt would break my heart.

That's one of the problems with using a propane heater. It produces a lot of water vapor and that's why I switched to wood heat for my shop.

To the OP:

There are numerous types of SS and some will rust a little while others will not.

Some are magnetic, some are mildly magnetic and some are non-magnetic.

Apparently Colt used a type of SS that will form a mild coat of rust.

Paul

 

[wuzfuz]

My wife and i used to sell swords and knives, and I agree, Johnson's Paste Wax does the trick. Apply a thin coat, let it haze over and buff it and you will not have any rust issue. good luck.