Hey guys I got a shotgun from my buddy and there is a very slight bit of rust forming over the finish. It’s a 870 18 inch. I was wondering what I should clean the rust off with before applying CLP on it. It’s very very minimal so I think just some solution and good elbow grease will fix the problem. Just have to figure out what to use on it. Thanks.
I usually use Flitz for removing light rust. As long as I just use a cloth and not the polishing drum on a Dremel, I haven’t caused any damage to the finish on any of my guns.
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i wiped it down with a cloth and CLP as that was what i had laying around. The stuff literally rubbed off with my finger thank god. SO far nothing seems to be really wrong. I am gonna keep up on it now that I have it back from my buddy.
Is this an 870 Express? They seem prone to surface rust.
I recently picked up a NIB 870 Express from Cabela’s for my upcoming 870 Bullpup conversion and since the conversion covers up most of the shotgun I decided to refinish w/something more protective.
Imagine my surprise when I degreased this NIB shotgun prior to refinishing and discovered the extended mag tube had a fine layer of rust over most of the surface (easily removed, fortunately).
Tomac
yup thats exactly what it is. I guess I just have to clean it and keep it greased up.
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It is rare to see a used “mint” Express that wasn’t a safe queen.
I think the finish is actually just some kind of coating (paint?) but whatever it is, it rusts easily.
On most guns with a blued finish, you can take a 4-0 steel wool soaked with oil and lightly rub where the rust is without leaving a trace. On the Express, I generally just put oil on the rust and rub on it with an oily rag. Just worry too much about taking the finish completely off.
But maybe it’s just me…
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I am thinking of sending it off to have an actual finish put on it. I don’t like the idea that it rusts so easily. unless there are other ways?
Surface rust happens on a lot of guns, a little oil and you’re good to go.
870 Express models have a very lousy phosphate type of finish thats very prone to rust. If left in the box in a humid environment (say, in a closet in Virginia) they will rust up pretty badly over the course of a year.
I cleaned mine up when I took it back from my parents (because they let it sit in the box and RUST!) with a wire brush with absolutely no care for the original finish. I painted over it with Alumahyde and it looks better than new.
