The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----

Can a r-eblue on fire damaged long-guns result in rusting under the stock and rifling?

I recently had my long-guns re-blued after a fire in my trailer. when they came back from the gunsmith they looked fine but in a few days I noticed some rust where the stocks met the barrels. I then removed the stocks and was horrified to find every thing under them was starting to rust . upon closer inspection the bores where in sad shape also . I cleaned them up with 000 steel wool ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] and oil and gave the bores a going over too . the shop where I sent them said the stocks must have still been damp causing the rust . But this does not explain the bores ,could they have been put together too green? thanks for your help Barney

James "Barney" Barnwell
Maintenance Mechanic - Arcata, California, U.S.A.
2006

---

Bluing provides virtually zero corrosion protection. It is the oil that is applied that provides the protection. If the oil is stripped off during the rework, and not immediately reapplied, flash rusting will occur. Presumably the bore got wet during the bluing and stayed wet.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2006

---

2006

Try using a teflon spray or Camp Dry ⇦[this on eBay or Amazon affil links] (or similar). It helps to repel water and keep the barrels from rusting. In addition you can also keep the barrels, stocks, and mechanisms oiled (or use wheel bearing grease for longer storage).
Unless it's stainless or well plated you're going to have to clean them at least every other week, more for a humid environment.

Marc Banks
Blacksmith - Shawboro, North Carolina

---

2006

Barney, sorry this took so long. No gun should rust from re-bluing. Before bluing the metal is stripped of all finish and rust, and polished. After bluing, all parts are dried and should be coated with oil before being re-assembled. If the parts are not oiled, they will rust, and I can't think of any re-bluer who would not oil before assembly. If the metal rusted, it sounds like the guns were not oiled after bluing. I have seen guns that do not get re-oiled except maybe a light wipe down with an oily cloth every few months and they never have rusted. Of course, always wipe down and oil after a day in the field.
Best,
Ed

Ed Kraushaar
- St. Louis, Missouri, USA

---

2006

Thank you Gentlemen for your responses to my dilemma. After extensive research of my own I've come to the conclusion that the gunsmith neglected to oil the bores properly ... also I've found that the smoke from house fires is so acidic that it permeates the wooden stocks ... a little 000 steel wool ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] and tung oil ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] finish on the inside of the stocks worked wonders and no recurring rust so far. Thanks again Barney

James (Barney) Barnwell
Maintenance Mechanic - Arcata, California, U.S.A.