Rust on stainless S&W 1911

[WhiskeyMike]

Hello

I just put a used SW1911 on layaway. I just purchased a Hi Power a couple of weeks ago and its too close to Christmas. I just couldn't pass the S&W up, it was only $490 +tax.
Anyway it has some light surface rust on it either from the pawnbroker not storing it well or from the previous owner. Any suggestions on how to gracefully remove light surface rust?

Thanks

[stumbler]

If it is a "brushed" stainless, try using a "Scotchpad".;)

[scottyhipockets]

fine (00) steel wool or maybe "wet/dry" sandpaper 600 grit or more, 600 may polish a matte stainless finish a little so it would be safer to start with a real high grit # (1500) and go down as needed.

[Johnny Peppers]

Soak the areas in a good penetrating oil, and use a fine steel wool like 4/0. Any type of abrasive used on the finish will result in a different texture on the areas it is used on.

[brickeyee]

Use a non-woven abrasive (scotchbrite). If you use regular steel wool on stainless you can smear some of the steel wool into the finish and have an even worse rust problem. While the stainless for firearms is not as corrosion resistant as other types of stainless, it is better than the carbon steel used to make steel wool pads. Stainless steel wool is available, but not in as many grades as regular steel wool. The non-woven pads will not leave anything behind to further degrade the corrosion resistance of the stainless surface.
This is the same reason for not using ordinary steel wool on a stainless sink.

[Johnny Peppers]

The pistol already has rust on it, and he is trying to remove that with the least amount of damage to the finish. The piping industry has used standard carbon steel cutter wheels and dies to cut and thread stainless steel pipe for years, and the carbon steel has never compromised the anti-rusting properties of the stainless steel.