Gun Maintenace and Repair

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Rusty screws?

Printed From: Tippmann Paintball
Category: Paintball Equipment
Forum Name: Gun Maintenace and Repair
Forum Description: Important info for keeping your marker in top shape
URL: http://www.tippmannsports.com/forum/wwf77a/forum_posts.asp?TID=182515
Printed Date: 16 April 2026 at 7:01pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Rusty screws?

Posted By: superCREG
Subject: Rusty screws?
Date Posted: 27 July 2009 at 9:46am

I recently went paintballing using my Tippmann a5 and in the last game it rained. I returned home and cleaned the internals etc and put my marker away.

A few days later i looked at my marker and the screws now have an orange ting to them and the push pins and nuts on the right side of the body have a white substance on them!!!

I didn’t think that it would be possible for the parts to rust as paintball is primarily an outdoor event and the marker isn’t exactly cheap and as such shouldn’t have cheap parts?!

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,
Craig

Replies:

Posted By: Ceesman762
Date Posted: 27 July 2009 at 10:15am

did you take it apart at any time before you went to play? oil from your skin can promote rust/corrosion. try putting a light coat of gun oil or CLP/Break Free on the push pins and nuts. to prevent it from happening.

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Innocence proves nothing
FUAC!!!!!

Posted By: superCREG
Date Posted: 27 July 2009 at 10:50am

ok, thanks for the reply. I will do that now... many thanks

Posted By: superCREG
Date Posted: 27 July 2009 at 12:43pm

i didnt think the parts would rust though? its weird

Posted By: oldpbnoob
Date Posted: 27 July 2009 at 1:14pm

superCREG wrote:

i didnt think the parts would rust though? its weird

They are metal.. metal rusts when exposed to water and air which there are often times lots of in the woods. Where's the mystery? On a serious note, the pins and screws are not stainless. They are coated, but when you use tools to take them on and off, the coating wears off and they will rust. Typically, after playing, I will take everything apart, clean it and give it a nice oil down before putting away. Don't drown the insides, but a nice light coat does wonders for keeping everything unrusty.

Posted By: Enos Shenk
Date Posted: 28 July 2009 at 10:34am

oldpbnoob wrote:

metal rusts when exposed to water and air

Actually ferrous metals rust Wink

Tippmann uses black oxide coated steel bolts and screws stock. You can always pick up a set of stainless hardware at the local hardware store though.

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Posted By: oldpbnoob
Date Posted: 28 July 2009 at 11:09am

Enos Shenk wrote:

oldpbnoob wrote:

metal rusts when exposed to water and air

Actually ferrous metals rust Wink

Tippmann uses black oxide coated steel bolts and screws stock. You can always pick up a set of stainless hardware at the local hardware store though.

Both of which have rusted on every Tippmann I have owned.

Posted By: Ceesman762
Date Posted: 28 July 2009 at 12:26pm

oldpbnoob wrote:

Enos Shenk wrote:

oldpbnoob wrote:

metal rusts when exposed to water and air

Actually ferrous metals rust Wink

Tippmann uses black oxide coated steel bolts and screws stock. You can always pick up a set of stainless hardware at the local hardware store though.

Both of which have rusted on every Tippmann I have owned.

Cleaner, Lubricant and Preservative. good ole Break Free, a lite coat works wonders. 3 AR 15's, 3 TIppmanns and what ever else needs protection.

-------------
Innocence proves nothing
FUAC!!!!!

Posted By: Gravdigr
Date Posted: 29 July 2009 at 8:39pm

oldpbnoob wrote:

Enos Shenk wrote:

oldpbnoob wrote:

metal rusts when exposed to water and air

Actually ferrous metals rust Wink

Tippmann uses black oxide coated steel bolts and screws stock. You can always pick up a set of stainless hardware at the local hardware store though.

Both of which have rusted on every Tippmann I have owned.

Stainless does not rust, hence the name stainless. I put a full set of stainless screws on my rc truck which sees plenty of moisture and have yet to see a screw rust. What you got was probably zinc coated. Go for full stainless and they will not rust guaranteed.

Posted By: slackerr26
Date Posted: 29 July 2009 at 9:11pm

^Not always true. i have had stainless steel knives that have rusted

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Posted By: Gravdigr
Date Posted: 30 July 2009 at 9:15pm

If the knife was heated in any way (sharpening on a grinder can do it) it can make stainless rust. Also using a non stainless tool on stainless metal can make it rust.

Rust of s.s generally happen with 304, 316, 321 & 347.

FeO is an oxide encapsulated with in other oxides in the s.s and this very oxide has a property of being unstable and therefore it decomposes when the metal is cooled from high temperature ( e.g after welding) according to reaction :4Fe=Fe₃O₄+Free Fe

The fine particles of free iron in the oxide film of the HAZ then react with the moisture in the air to form a uniform "band" of rust on either side of the weld(similar s.s weld)

Some years ago i worked for a company that built equipment for use on oil rigs. The main material used in construction was stainless steel. The most important thing to remember was that under no circumstance where tools used for works on stainless steel to be used for any other material. For example if a hacksaw blade had been used for cutting mild steel it was not allowed near the stainless steel. If it was used on stainless it was said to contaminate the material and cause a reaction in the stainless steel. even the slightest contact with ferrous metals could instigate rust. This applied to any tool, spanners, hammers any cutting tool even abrasive disks.

So we were both right, and we were both wrong. Isn't metallurgy fun? Well isn't it?