Thread: Rusting Howa's

Originally Posted by Cordite

It seems you need to passivate the stainless steel parts.

Basically boiling the stainless steel part in a citric acid solution. It removes rust and it removes the free exposed iron that is prone to rust --- leaving only nickel and chrome in touch with the outside environment.

The nickel later oxidizes, which further protects the part.

NB! Of course, don't do this to carbon steel items.

Hmmmm - my Howa did the same. @Cordite is onto it I think we used to passivate boat fittings (which are a higher grade of SS) or they'd "spot" as well.