Brown spots appearing after cleaning

unit5016 · February 8, 2017, 05:58 PM

Hello all, first timer with a question. I recently purchased an lee Enfield in unissued condition. Brought it home and cleaned it with hoppes solvent and then wiped off and applied oil. I put it in the case a couple weeks ago and when I took it out to show my father I noticed it now had brown marks on the rear sight and on the serial number on the bolt was turning brown. Is this rust and I missed a spot? How do I remove it without ruining the perfect finish especially on the small numbers of the serial number.

5whiskey · February 8, 2017, 06:12 PM

Likely rust. What type of oil did you apply? Back in my teenage days I used mineral oil as gun oil. It turns out it migrates really quickly if you store a firearm in foam lined case, and is not a great preservative.

It should be fairly easy to remove as it sounds like you caught it early. Get some OOO steel wool, wipe the area dry with a cloth, and lightly scrub the rust off with steel wool. Keep wiping the area every so often until the cloth is no longer rust colored. Then reapply a good gun oil. Plain ole' CLP will work in a pinch.

Speaking of idiotic teenage days. Make sure you get your steel wool from the same section as sandpaper in the hardware store. DO NOT use course stainless steel wool that you scrub pans with. Don't ask me why I issue this warning that you probably don't need (but I did)

unit5016 · February 8, 2017, 06:35 PM

I use Mpro 7 oil. Ya I certainly won't use the course stuff haha. I'm just worried about the serial number area. I just wonder if it's cause I missed a spot

pnac · February 8, 2017, 08:42 PM

Midwayusa and others have brass or stainless steel pads that won't damage your bluing if used with oil. Finish up with a though wipe down with a rag saturated with a good gun oil, Weapon Shield is the best I've found and I live in a very humid area.

Store your guns where air can circulate around them, never in a foam case or anything that will hold moisture. Keep a silicon cloth handy to use if the weapon is handled, everyone is a potential "ruster"(their skin has high acid content).

carguychris · February 8, 2017, 09:59 PM

BE CAREFUL cleaning this gun with steel wool. The majority of Lee-Enfields were not blued; most were oil blackened, while WWII Lithgow rifles were parkerized, and later Ishapore rifles were painted along many FTR rifles. These finishes can be damaged by too-vigorous cleaning with abrasive media.

I would gently clean the serial number area with a bronze brush after thoroughly soaking in oil. If the rust is light enough, a toothpick may actually work.

unit5016 · February 9, 2017, 01:09 AM

It's a fazakerly from 1950. If that helps determine the finish. I was going to try 0000 gauge wool and a bronze brush or brass from a cleaning kit. Would a toothbrush be even better?

February 8, 2017, 05:58 PM	#1
unit5016 Junior Member Join Date: February 8, 2017 Posts: 3	Brown spots appearing after cleaning Hello all, first timer with a question. I recently purchased an lee Enfield in unissued condition. Brought it home and cleaned it with hoppes solvent and then wiped off and applied oil. I put it in the case a couple weeks ago and when I took it out to show my father I noticed it now had brown marks on the rear sight and on the serial number on the bolt was turning brown. Is this rust and I missed a spot? How do I remove it without ruining the perfect finish especially on the small numbers of the serial number.

February 8, 2017, 08:42 PM	#4
pnac Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2008 Posts: 550	Midwayusa and others have brass or stainless steel pads that won't damage your bluing if used with oil. Finish up with a though wipe down with a rag saturated with a good gun oil, Weapon Shield is the best I've found and I live in a very humid area. Store your guns where air can circulate around them, never in a foam case or anything that will hold moisture. Keep a silicon cloth handy to use if the weapon is handled, everyone is a potential "ruster"(their skin has high acid content). __________________ In my hour of darkness In my time of need Oh Lord grant me vision Oh Lord grant me speed - Gram Parsons

February 8, 2017, 09:59 PM	#5
carguychris Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2007 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 7,523	BE CAREFUL cleaning this gun with steel wool. The majority of Lee-Enfields were not blued; most were oil blackened, while WWII Lithgow rifles were parkerized, and later Ishapore rifles were painted along many FTR rifles. These finishes can be damaged by too-vigorous cleaning with abrasive media. I would gently clean the serial number area with a bronze brush after thoroughly soaking in oil. If the rust is light enough, a toothpick may actually work. __________________ "Smokey, this is not 'Nam. This is bowling. There are rules... MARK IT ZERO!!" - Walter Sobchak

February 9, 2017, 01:09 AM	#6
unit5016 Junior Member Join Date: February 8, 2017 Posts: 3	It's a fazakerly from 1950. If that helps determine the finish. I was going to try 0000 gauge wool and a bronze brush or brass from a cleaning kit. Would a toothbrush be even better? Last edited by unit5016; February 9, 2017 at 11:35 AM.

February 8, 2017, 06:12 PM	#2
5whiskey Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2005 Location: US Posts: 3,657	Likely rust. What type of oil did you apply? Back in my teenage days I used mineral oil as gun oil. It turns out it migrates really quickly if you store a firearm in foam lined case, and is not a great preservative. It should be fairly easy to remove as it sounds like you caught it early. Get some OOO steel wool, wipe the area dry with a cloth, and lightly scrub the rust off with steel wool. Keep wiping the area every so often until the cloth is no longer rust colored. Then reapply a good gun oil. Plain ole' CLP will work in a pinch. Speaking of idiotic teenage days. Make sure you get your steel wool from the same section as sandpaper in the hardware store. DO NOT use course stainless steel wool that you scrub pans with. Don't ask me why I issue this warning that you probably don't need (but I did)

February 8, 2017, 06:35 PM	#3
unit5016 Junior Member Join Date: February 8, 2017 Posts: 3	I use Mpro 7 oil. Ya I certainly won't use the course stuff haha. I'm just worried about the serial number area. I just wonder if it's cause I missed a spot