How do you remove heavy rust?

**camouflage762** · 16-03-2009, 11:38

Any suggestions on removing heavy rust from AK & R1 mags.
My current options are: sandblasting, or applying a rust converter, then sanding down.
Either way they will have to be repainted/reblued. confused0083

**ikor** · 16-03-2009, 11:59

Originally Posted by camouflage762

Any suggestions on removing heavy rust from AK & R1 mags.
My current options are: sandblasting, or applying a rust converter, then sanding down.
Either way they will have to be repainted/reblued. confused0083

Can you bead blast rather than sand blast? The beads are far more kind to the metal and it usually works well. If not, either a small sand blasting cabinet at lower pressures or via the chemical route. You MUST replace all springs if there is any rust on them. The rust will form a 'pit' and sooner or later the spring will break at that pitted area...usually at the worst possible time!