So rewind many years (15?). Dad had a Smith J frame for as long as I can remember. He got the cancer as Forrest would say. I suspect it clouded his judgement because he was VERY careful with his guns. Yet 10 years ago we found his Smith shortly after his death in his SUV partially disassembled, wrapped in a silicone impregnated reel cloth, COVERED in heavy rust. It had obviously been left somewhere VERY moist and allowed to rust and he tried to fix it, or at least slow it down.
I tore it down, cleaned it, and cold blued it. Apparently I didn't get all the rust out of the pits because when I stopped by moms today and checked it while I was there, (its her home defense weapon) she hadnt wiped it down and pretty much all the rust points were where it had been pitted the first time. So I brought it home to work on. (with several other guns in sad shape)
Can I use the electrolysis method to clean ALL of the rust particles off without totally tearing it down before another attempt at a re-blue? The last time I couldnt get all the pieces back together and had to take it to a smith to reassemble it. (there was some internal part I just couldnt get back together) I know to get a total clean I'll likely have to clamp the frame and cylinder in two separate passes since they arent tightly bonded electrically.
And on a second note, would something like cerakote protect it better and also fill in the pits? Though its a relatively rare gun (36-1, the 3" version) I know due to the current condition any market value is already lost and its just an heirloom at this point. I'm more interested in preserving what's left and making this thing more durable due to its storage conditions and to preserve its shooting condition so it can be enjoyed for generations.
Suggestions?
I tore it down, cleaned it, and cold blued it. Apparently I didn't get all the rust out of the pits because when I stopped by moms today and checked it while I was there, (its her home defense weapon) she hadnt wiped it down and pretty much all the rust points were where it had been pitted the first time. So I brought it home to work on. (with several other guns in sad shape)
Can I use the electrolysis method to clean ALL of the rust particles off without totally tearing it down before another attempt at a re-blue? The last time I couldnt get all the pieces back together and had to take it to a smith to reassemble it. (there was some internal part I just couldnt get back together) I know to get a total clean I'll likely have to clamp the frame and cylinder in two separate passes since they arent tightly bonded electrically.
And on a second note, would something like cerakote protect it better and also fill in the pits? Though its a relatively rare gun (36-1, the 3" version) I know due to the current condition any market value is already lost and its just an heirloom at this point. I'm more interested in preserving what's left and making this thing more durable due to its storage conditions and to preserve its shooting condition so it can be enjoyed for generations.
Suggestions?