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exactly Unclenick ! Often it's the oxide layer that provides corrosion resistance rather than the metal itself.This is true of stainless steel. Metals actually oxidize easily in air but for better corrosion resistance the oxide is built up .In stainless steel it should be given a "passivation" treatment which builds up the oxide with acids .A stainless steel gun which rusts easily has not gotten the proper passivation.Aluminum has it's oxide layer built up with an electrolytic process . The oxide is pourous and those pours sealed with a wax .That's how we can get aluminum guns in decorator colors !! The oxide is white but the wax is dyed.
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