Unknown tool used to remove rust on blued guns

[Heyad]

I had to use some steel wool last night to remove some surface rust on the outside of my SR9 barrel. I forgot to wipe it down after I handled it... So now the barrel has a bunch of scratches on it. but I'm not to worried it happens.

It got me thinking about a smith I saw using some sort of metal 'thing' to remove surface rust and that brownish hue from a blued shotgun. I looked like one of those curly things you put on top of a present all the curls were different sizes and it didn't seem to harm the bluing at all. He said it was also coated in some sort of chemical. I asked him where I could get one and he said 'trade secret.'

Does this sound familiar to anyone? I am going to buy some brass brushes in case something like this happens again. I figured I would get one of these if I could find it.

Thanks a lot.

[xl_target]

I think what you are talking about is "Big 45 Frontier metal Cleaner"


The alloy is softer than bluing but harder than rust, so generally it will not harm the bluing.
Be Careful; stainless scouring pads like this are also available on the market but those will damage bluing.

[Vineet]

I have heard that pencil lead works wonder on removing rust patch without scratching.