HELP NEEDED: My RAT1 has a rust spot :(

J

jmflem

Joined
Feb 1, 2014
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373
I sound like a little cry baby, but my RAT1 has rust! :( It's a very small spot right on the side of the blade. It's a light orange, and very smooth, only noticeable by eye. My question is, before I take sandpaper to it, is there any gentler method of removing it without ruining the finish? I know, it's just a knife, but I'd still like to keep it purdy if I can :P. It already has light scratches and scuffs decorating the blade, but there only noticeable on certain lights. I'd rather not have a sanded spot smack dab in the middle of the blade. Any ideas? Thanks guys.
 
Plastic scotch brite pad and gentle rubbing with a little gun oil. Shouldn't scratch the fisnish and should get the rust off.
 
Use baking soda. You probably already have some in your house and if not its like $1.00 for a box. It works wonders on rust and should be perfect for your needs. Get the blade wet. Pour on some baking soda. Work it with your thumb over the rust spot. Rinse. Your good to go.
 
Capt. Spaulding said:
Use baking soda. You probably already have some in your house and if not its like $1.00 for a box. It works wonders on rust and should be perfect for your needs. Get the blade wet. Pour on some baking soda. Work it with your thumb over the rust spot. Rinse. Your good to go.
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I think I might try this. Has anyone else done this?
 
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marcinek said:
I was going to advise "get over it." In the spirit of being nice, I will advise Flitz metal polish. Its a very gentle abrasive. Just like me. :D
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I know I sound like a baby, but even though my main purpose of the knife is to be used (its only a $30 knife so I don't care that much) I do like to keep my knives pretty if I can. That's half the reason I really like them, IMHO. I wouldn't buy a knife if I thought it was ugly.
 
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Capt. Spaulding said:
Use baking soda. You probably already have some in your house and if not its like $1.00 for a box. It works wonders on rust and should be perfect for your needs. Get the blade wet. Pour on some baking soda. Work it with your thumb over the rust spot. Rinse. Your good to go.
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This.^^ Try it before trying other options. Baking soda is mildly abrasive enough to dislodge most red rust, but not abrasive enough to alter the finish on your blade, IF you want to avoid that. It usually works well on light rust spots, and I'm getting into the habit of doing it this way.

Scotch-Brite pads are abrasive (the 'plastic' is impregnated with aluminum oxide grit), and the 'rust erasers' are much more coarsely abrasive (silicon carbide). Both can & will alter a polished finish, and leave some degree of a satin finish behind. Metal polishes like Flitz or Simichrome, or Mother's Mag wheel polish, are also very finely abrasive, so they'll leave the 'cleaned' area somewhat shinier than the surrounding steel. Bar Keepers Friend powder, mixed to a paste with water, can also work; but it's acidic, so care would need to be taken to avoid etching the steel, even on stainless steel. Don't leave it on the steel for more than 30-60 seconds; it'll act even quicker on non-stainless blades.


David
 
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jmflem said:
I know I sound like a baby, but even though my main purpose of the knife is to be used (its only a $30 knife so I don't care that much) I do like to keep my knives pretty if I can. That's half the reason I really like them, IMHO. I wouldn't buy a knife if I thought it was ugly.
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I would definitely clean it up. If you do not keep the rust off then it will only get worse and spread.
 
In my opinion this is what you should do. I have worked with removing rust for a very long time, and used just about everything there is...

There are many things you can do about rust; Naval Jelly, CLR, Metal Finish Pad, 1000gritwet/dry paper, Breakfree, Steel Wool... The best thing to do is go to your local gun specialties store and buy a light brass bristle brush.

It is abrasive enough to remove the black oxides from your metal (even from pits within the metal) but gentle enough of an abrasive that it will not remove coatings, treatments, or paints like as a metal finishing pad would. It will leave a look of proper care on your knife or gun. The end with short bristles will enable you to only brush a very small area (3-5 cm). I would liberally apply an oil to the knife while you brush (an oil with petroleum distillates, as they are a penetrant to oxides and rust. If you do not have oil with petroleum distillates in it, K1 kerosene works about as well)

I took the black oxides from a severely pitted Cattaraugus Quartermaster 225q, now almost immaculate. The Pits went cm's into the blade, I was able to get all the black oxides from them, exposing steel with one of these brushes and naval jelly. Inho it is the best abrasive.
 
I've always had good results with CLP.

I used to run with my Rat 1 clipped to my shorts. After a while the action started getting noticeably worse. Took it apart and the liners and pivot were nearly caked with rust. CLP got the pivot cleaned up perfectly so it is smooth once again. Did a good enough job on the liners but there are still some spots, doesn't bother me though.
 
How about citric acid? Or try to slice a lemon. Should come off VERY quick, rinse thoroughly, apply oil and you're good to go. If in doubt, I can try it on my RAT7 this weekend and post the pictures it's a beater anyway.
 
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