Part 2 - Cleaning & Restoration results on a 60 year old Armalite/Colt 601 AR15 Parts Kit.

Teaser (Previous Video)
Part 1 Previous Video (Overview)
Part 2 THIS VIDEO (Cleaning & Restoration)
Part 3 CANCELLED (Reassembly)
Part 4 COMING SOON (Physical/Autopsy using USGI & SOTAR Tools & Gauges & Trap Test Fire)
Part 5 COMING SOON (Distressing Lower Receiver & Reproduction Parts)
Part 6 COMING SOON (Range Test Firing)

[@trev1388]

Evapo-Rust works through selective chelation. It binds exclusively to iron oxide but is too weak to pull iron out of steel. Their is also a ferric sulfate involved to keep the reaction going above 50F° and keep the iron in solution after removal. I use it to restore axes and and old chainsaw parts. It has never let me down.

[@geoffreyjones2000]

Welder/machinist for 40+ years, sir... I have welded many parts to prolong life. My work is not invisible, but fully functional including hardness. Best wishes for your bride, sir

[@cudan2941]

One day, once I can, I hope to take your class. Till then, these videos are an amazing help. Appreciate them, all the best to your wife / wishing her a speedy recovery.

[@SHWELL11]

Evapo-Rust is sold at Harbor Freight as well. I use it and Vinegar to clean up old school BMX frames.

[@SchooloftheAmericanRifle]

Nice. I need a better HF. They dont have it at mine.

[@cojones8518]

Advance Auto and O'Reilly's have it too.

[@lumpyzx2645]

If I'm not mistaken I believe vinegar will strip parkerizing/manganese phosphate and bluing, so be sure if you use it on other stuff to check first and make sure it won't damage the finish

[@george2113]

@@SchooloftheAmericanRifle harbor freight has a good beginner winch. Or the midrange one with synthetic cable.

[@gdaddy7351]

Instead of a bin get a piece of PVC pipe in the desired diameter, glue a cap one end, put in the barrel, and add Evaporust. Can be found on Amazon and lots of hardware stores. Really great product.

[@robertinscoe2379]

This is how I clean cam shafts from old engines, does a great job.

[@markusaralius]

I'm late to this party but that's how I remove cosmoline from mil-surps. Remove wood/plastics and drop the entire barreled receiver into a tube of mineral spirits. A lot easier than boiling outside in a repurposed turkey deep fryer.

[@icantsaywhat]

Also remember if it was used in Puerto Rico the humidity in the air would be enough to rust it badly if they didn’t take care of it or if the stored it improperly. This isn’t for sotar as much as information for newer firearm owners who might not know just how bad improper maintenance can damage a firearm

[@stefanmolnapor910]

I don't live in PR, I'm in FL, and that's no joke! Just leaving something out that has been touched here will lead to corrosion.

[@icantsaywhat]

@@stefanmolnapor910 yea I’m up here in Maryland and it’s no joke around here either not as bad as Florida. But on average I’d say it’s up above 80-85%at least pretty much all summer long at least that what it feels like. And that’s what the damage and rust on my garage full of tools tells me.

[@ScottKenny1978]

Yeah, I had rust starting after taking a brand new Mossberg 500 out hunting north of Seattle. Big orange spots in a couple hours!

[@klp216]

Genuinely curious about the bore and remaining life of the barrel. Love the parts kit and seeing a good rifle come back to life!

[@cedargrovefarmandarms2823]

As an ex mechanic, I can vouch for Marvel Mystery oil for removing carbon. Its designed to run in engines via fuel delivery, esp carburetion, to clean valves, etc. I use it for bolts and carriers. I can put this on a carbonized bolt and use my finger to scrub off the carbon. I add it to my mix of eds red cleaner which performs amazingly. Evaporust is a wonderful tool I've used for years for fast rust recovery on older guns without much historical significance, such as "bob's" marlin 60 left in a barn for a few years. Its wondermus for sure. Berrymans was also another product I used for rebuilding carburetors, the bee's knee's though was made by NAPA in 3 gallon pails it's been discontinued due to EPA. It was corrosive as all get out and would melt rubber and some plastics virtually on contact. Berrymans I could get at most any car parts store. I've gotten into the resto biz myself, I've got an original 1860 Army I'm restoring that was nasty corroded as well, but for that I converted the existing rust to bluing via steam as that was originally rust blued instead of the more modern caustic bluing or parkerizing.

[@snakeman48]

I have several of the Vickers Guides. Like you said, expensive, but well worth the money for the quality of the work, pictures, and historical information. Also prayers out for your wife's full recovery.

[@thetvbaby83]

As a car guy, evapo rust is amazing! I'm late but I'm loving this build and subbed for the knowledge you're giving.

[@xipingpooh5783]

I love restoring old rifles and old motorcycles. There is something very gratifying about preserving history. I can’t wait to see the gun completed.

[@cjanquart]

Pretty sure that Evaporust just made the SOTAR recommended parts list!

[@magdump4456]

Would evaporust be safe for blued finishes as well?

[@johnqpublic2718]

HandToolRescue enters the chat...

[@oldscratch3535]

​@@magdump4456 Their website says it will remove blued finishes in about 30 minutes.

[@magdump4456]

@@oldscratch3535 thanks!

[@SchooloftheAmericanRifle]

@@magdump4456 I would be careful. Bluing is rust so Evaporust will likely remove it.

[@gregphillips9670]

You should check out Mark Novak's channel, Anvil. He has a lot of content on conserving and restoring old milsurps and other older firearms. I'm not a gunsmith but I enjoy firearms and I enjoy watching a master ply his trade. That is one of the things that attracted me to your channel. Keep up the good work. I look forward to the rest of the videos in this series.

[@masterxiong7368]

This was a treat. Awesome to see such a reliable rifle and being brought back to working order.

[@michaelfabian2401]

Love it, Love everything about this channel and this project is just stellar! 🤘

[@VistaDefenseTrainingMedia]

Great video! I have used Evapo-Rust for a number of years, amazing results!

[@thedeathwobblechannel6539]

Suggestion: use pvc plumbing pipe and seal and cap one end and a cap you can remove by hand for the other. Make it long enuff for a barrel. Mount to bench leg so it is safe from spilling or knocking it over. And how is this rifle barrel's bore?

[@egnah2]

I've been a fan of evapo-rust for years on old car parts and even a few mis-loved firearms. Great stuff.

[@BFVgnr]

There's a channel who's sponsored by Evaporust: Hand Tool Rescue. He restores late 1800s, early 1900s tools and machinery, the results are just amazing.

[@ChristianGrest]

Can only imagine what those parts looked like before you cleaned them up. Awesome job maintaining the original finish! Such a cool project! Can't wait to see this thing together. Hope your wife gets to feeling better...this Covid is nasty stuff. Hopefully some day I can attend one of your classes...been building/tinkering with these rifles for about 15 years now...always learning new stuff and your videos are such a wealth of knowledge. So thank you.

[@dandexinventor]

During Marine Corps boot camp 1981 shooting an M16-A1 which looked like it had seen a lot of time in Viet Nam, or at least had many thousands of rounds run through it, I became a fan and have been shooting the preferred AR15 as soon as I could get one out of the Marines in 1985. Great job Sir! Hope your wife recovers quickly. You guys are the first people I have heard of to have had Covid19 (I live in the desert of AZ).

[@1rstTry]

First person you’ve heard of? Like aside from the millions of others?

[@george2113]

The nicest guy I knew, a carpenter died from COVID-19 and his wife was really sick.

[@christianminton]

I've watched these two videos a few times and I'm really looking forward to part 3!

[@edwardloose9668]

Great video. Always trying to find knowledgeable people who post . Keep up the good work.

[@davidhodge3894]

Very good conversation pieces.

[@stongemark]

Another great video Chad. Best wishes to you and Donna.

[@THPOOKY]

I am so into this series. I've absolutely loved watching some of iv888's restoration videos specifically the martini henry. I would love to see what a really beat Martini Henry would look like after being soaked in that evapor rust.

[@Evergreen1400]

Sorry to hear about you guys getting sick I hope your wife gets back to 100% ASAP. This 2 part series was absolutely awesome great work.

[@aholegunner]

Thank you soo much for these videos! Love ya Mr. Chad!

[@musician445]

Man i'm itching to see the rest of this series. The m16 caught my eye as a kid and i was always fascinated by its aesthetic and now, its function.

[@scottmaday6167]

This is COOL! Greetings from Minnesota.

[@RTACDaughters]

Going to enjoy this series.

[@abolishtheatfandrepealthen6014]

I was eagerly waiting to get a chance to watch this. This is my zen

[@fullm3taljacket]

Hi, P&S sent me. I have used Naval Jelly to remove rust with excellent results, but it's a bit harsh (you need gloves, etc. to use it). Thanks for turning me on to Evaporust...it's my next purchase.

[@CoryHobbs2178]

Amazing job, that's really cool. Looks like I need to stock some EvapoRust.

[@Frank-bc8gg]

Best of health to the both of you, that rifle has seen some stuff but nothing evaporust cant fix

[@ericdoubleu5390]

This is gonna be an awesome series

[@farmwalker1900]

Evaporust is awesome but just a tip, eventually it will lose its rust removing properties and you'll need more. Just have more on hand. Also, they sell it at O'Reilly Auto Parts.

[@johnqpublic2718]

I hope your wife gets to feeling 100% soon! Thanks for the content!

[@taddhoward9975]

Can’t wait for part 3.

[@kasquaskannachehukapapansk9857]

I still have 6 of these older type parts kits with barrels 7.62x51 cal. Mine kits are the original Armalite types with angle cut uppers. These kits were $100.00 each from Gun&things.

[@may2888]

Wooohoo! Love it!!

[@kevinhogan4453]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@diggerdanh]

Evapo-rust is great. I have been using it for years for old motorcycle parts.

[@c.kelley3309]

Evaporust is fantastic stuff. I've used it many times to clean up heavily rusted sockets and wrenches. I learned about Evaporust from Handtool Rescue here on KZbin.

[@xCrimsonxTidex]

Can’t wait for the distressing video! I bought an actual Diemaco C8 upper from Larry Vickers himself, and it has been definitely been used. Need the lower to match the upper!

[@jurpo6]

Excited for the borescope! Really surprised the chrome bolt corroded so badly.

[@honestguy6345]

Pvc pipes and caps also works well when needing to submerge something like a barrel in a solvent (that is more or less plastic safe)

[@fixanypc]

Evapo-rust is amazing. I use it to clean up corrosion on AK parts kits after demil and it works wonders. It'll eat any rust

[@yukon4545]

Yup, Evapo-rust and Kroil are must have items.

[@phattyre1830]

Kroil it is junk it more lore than actually useful. Atf/ acetone mix or liquid wrench is the way to go. They actually work. Now evapo-rust is awesome.

[@magdump4456]

Does anyone know if evapo rust is safe for blued finishes as well?

[@rkeller1ify]

@@magdump4456 - While I am a big believer in Evapo rust, i would never use it for a blued finish. It works great for bare steel (I restore antique planes for use) but polished blued systems, no. Recommend conversion to ferro-ferric oxide by use of steam or boiling and then carding.

[@Falconguygaming]

@@magdump4456 no it will remove bluing

[@porksboy]

Use Evaporust on old cars and axes. One trick if you dont have a lage enough vessel is to wrap the part in gause, then wet the gause with evaporust. Wrap with saran wrap or hang it above a pail and keep pouring the product on the gause. I do this with old headers.

[@joejordan6511]

Great videos! Look forward to the distressing vid of your lower reciever.I have two I'm wanting to distress myself..looking for ideas and tips and tricks so to speak..

[@craesh1001]

You were explaining the stuck gas tube and my mind immediately went to evaporust or WD-40 makes something similar. Both have saved me a bunch of headaches on neglected guns I have gotten my hands on.

[@SchooloftheAmericanRifle]

I did give WD40 and a few other penetrants a try. The Evaporust was what won the day.

[@craesh1001]

@@SchooloftheAmericanRifle they also make a rust eliminator which is a little more water like compared to the evaporust. They are both about tip for tap.

[@SchooloftheAmericanRifle]

@@craesh1001 I'll look for it and give it a try. I didn't know that. Thanks.

[@sfottrell4412]

Hoping you and your family are healthy.

[@shrugger1]

Evaporust is good stuff. Works great in an ultrasonic for terrifyingly rusted parts.

[@octaviant9brieto43]

Thank you

[@aaronsgunsmithing]

Good news! Wipe Out Tactical Advantage & Accelerator is still available. A Sharp Shoot-R and Brownells have it.

[@21psd]

Wishing your wife a speedy recovery also.

[@robertinscoe2379]

Evaporust is available at Tractor Supply and if not in stock you can order shipped to your store at no shipping cost. After I use it, I drain it thru a coffee filter to remove any solids before reusing.

[@steveegbert7429]

Used that carb cleaner in 5 gallon pails when I was an auto mechanic. It's nasty stuff for sure, it would eat your skin if you didn't get it washed off! That was in a time before all the warnings on chemical cleaners and we did most everything bare handed.

[@dontask8979]

"Free all" is a favorite too

[@Sandhill1988]

I was trying to find a 601 barrel been looking for over 3 years. I found a company reproducing at $400 a pop on a waiting list plus shipping. They are smoking dope.

[@rezalbb]

I had a bad experience with Evaporust using their suggested method of soaking a paper towel and wrapping in plastic. I left it on for a few weeks because it pretty much implies it can do no harm. It set up a reaction with the air and severely etched the steel! The line you noticed where the part was partially submerged was likely the start of that reaction. Tractor Supply also sells it.

[@rezalbb]

KZbin won't allow the link but you can search "ot-warning-unexpected-result-evapo-rust" to find another account of the issue on Practical Machinist.

[@SchooloftheAmericanRifle]

@@rezalbb I just tried what you mentioned and you are right. It's terrible if you don't submerge the workpiece. It appears they make a gel version that may work for larger pieces. I'll have to try that.

[@rezalbb]

@@SchooloftheAmericanRifle Maybe some wax or similar material to coat the interface would work to prevent it.

[@kjb563]

Evaporust is the best stuff around been using it and berry man for yrs. stuff is amazing

[@sultros]

Your friend that recommended Evapo-Rust, does he rebuild or work on cars? I see that product and Berryman B-12 used often in the automotive and restoration communities. The pitting on the barrel and gas system is familiar to anyone whos tried to rescue or revive an engine thats been sitting, exposed either indoor or outdoors, to environments with water leaks and heavy moisture. The moisture loves to creep up tail pipes, through the exhaust system and past an open exhaust valve (theres often one exhaust valve open when it was last parked /run) and rusts motors from the inside out. You pop the valve covers off to find a rusty, crusty mess and that the moisture and rust made it all the way to one or two cylinders where it just eats iron and fuzes rings and contact surfaces . The barrel and gas system on an AR is basically a series of exhaust pipes that direct combustion gas and might suffer from the same type of corrosion if stored under similar conditions. Do you use an ultrasonic cleaner or have you used one?

[@Korruptor]

Looking forward to parts 3-6!

[@evanknight5818]

Hi, I want to thank you for the great videos you put out they have been extremely helpful. I have an unrelated question, my 16" mid-length barrel from white label has a 0.76 gas port. A carbine and H buffer work fine with my current V-seven teflon coated action spring also the blue Sprinco spring. Which combination of these would be best for reliability in adverse conditions. Also, I am able to shoot all types of ammo successfully with both set-ups. I know you are busy, so if you cannot answer me I understand. Thank you again for all you do. Have a Blessed Day.

[@dbmail545]

I will have to try that stuff!

[@musician445]

When installing a FSB on a barrel that has only been dimpled from the factory, is there any way to get around using an expensive jig to drill the taper pin slots?

[@slappp6163]

I have purchased a suppressor and am concerned for potential baffle strikes. Do you have a suggestion for inexpensive bore alignment rods or gauges?

[@SleeplessInFl]

I've been using evapo-rust for years. It is great stuff just remember not to use it on blued parts.

[@last_raven]

My wife is Puerto Rican and we plan to retire there. We have already been working on the family properties so that there is a properly climate controlled/sealed area for pew storage

[@joshl.6773]

Both Berrymans chem dip and the Evapo-Rust are available at O'Reilly auto parts

[@SchooloftheAmericanRifle]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@robertblaze5549]

Going to be a nice rifle when your done with it. You going to do a shooting video? Would like to see it run.

[@ScottKenny1978]

Looks like I need a big bottle of evaporust! And some BRP Internal Engine Tuner, while I'm at it.

[@heyman6010]

Could you use vinegar to remove the rust ?? It hates rust Eats it like crazy. But it does take a soaking sometimes. It doesn’t remove the steel only the rust ?? Just a thought.

[@djinfwb]

Sharp Shooter R still manufacturers the bore cleaning solutions you are using. If I may make a suggestion on a carbon removal product from the marine engine industry, BRP’s Internal Engine Tuner. It’s pricey but it does work extremely well. It’s formulated to remove carbon buildup inside 2 stroke cycle engines. I’m enjoying this series on the older (almost my age) AR’s.

[@SchooloftheAmericanRifle]

I'm always willing to try new things to see if they work better. Thanks.

[@ScottKenny1978]

Huh, may need to look for that, too!

[@michaelevaristo4094]

I have that kind of rifle. I want to replace the upper receiver with a rail type one, is it possible? I mean will fit with the barrel?

[@30wrdy]

How long does the buffer tip and extractor buffer insert last?

[@In-Midnight-Clad]

Interesting that the Evaporust didn't take off the phosphate. I've wanted to use it on a bunch of parkerized stuff but the info I found said it was useful for removing those kinds of finishes. "EVAPO-RUST® is perfect for removing weapon finishes such as Bluing, Parkerizing, Zinc Phosphate, and Browning. " I already thought it was great, but being able to use it on parkerized stuff would make it perfect.

[@andrewbrought7221]

Great stuff once again! Wishing everyone well on recovering from Covid19. Thanks so much for sharing this project it's fantastic. Get well soon, looking forward to more vids of this restoration. Really hope you capture some range trip footage as well. Actually thinking back a few vids it would be pretty neat to see the wife hit a shot or pew with her Christmas gift maybe a little friendly family range competition. A little gift vs gift footage. Just a thought. Thanks again SOTAR. 🙂

[@gameon2081]

Do vinegar will damage the barrel or any other components?

[@coleyeaux]

What do you think about bore snakes? And nylon brushes for chamber cleaning? I found your insight and opinions on cleaning very interesting. God bless!

[@SchooloftheAmericanRifle]

They are ok for field cleaning if you are careful with them. They are perishable items. If they get old they will break off in the bore/chamber. You also have to be sure to pull the bore snake straight out of the muzzle. If you don't, you can egg out the crown.

[@4LHogFarms]

Is part 3 out there somewhere?

[@99Racker]

Brownells still carries WIPE OUT products. Carious as to why you didn't clean up the hand guards. Thanks for the video.

[@jaydunbar7538]

It's the original paint, he goes over that in the first video. He responded to comments about it.

[@andrewstoll4548]

You might be able to put part 3 up on Rumble.

[@vehicularMCS]

What happened to part 3 of this series? I could swear I saw it last week, and now it's gone?

[@kdhoskison]

How do I go about sending something in to have looked at by you?

[@1972mackbolan]

I think Autozone carries Evaporust as well

[@lyndalolson3067]

Could you tell your top 5 bolt carrier groups ?

[@markcaldwell3978]

If you think Evapo-Rust works well, you should try Ospho! It's green magic!

[@blksrsil]

I'm semi interested in changing careers and immigrating, and I'm wondering if there is a high demand for gun smiths in the U.S or have modular guns with more disposable parts like the AR kinda killed the demand? Great vid, will be back for the next one 👍

[@SchooloftheAmericanRifle]

There is a demand for Gunsmiths in the U.S. It's a dying trade. There are few good ones.

[@blksrsil]

@@SchooloftheAmericanRifle i figured as much, the hunt continues

[@Gab_Gar_Sed]

Any footage of the parts in their untouched state when they arrived?

[@jaydunbar7538]

He answers that at the beginning of the video.

[@FrankConforti]

Sorry, a year late here…. I have a 5 gallon bucket of Evap-o-Rust I keep handy for heavy rusted components. It is amazing what it can do. However, one warning. Although the cleaned steel looks like a protective coating it is not! I may take time but the cleaned metal will begin to surface rust especially in humid weather. Cold bluing or some other method is needed to protect the truly naked state of the metal.

[@fatkidadventures2715]

I used 2 in and 4in pvc pipe caped on one end for barrel rust on two old ww1 krag rifles i did

[@CP-xo6yb]

Evaporust is awesome stuff. It can be found in the paint section of just about any automotive store. All major chains tend to stock it. Advance, O'Reilly, that orange place that always gives me terrible advice.

[@NoWr2Run]

KROIL SUCKS as a penetrating oil, try Liquid wrench or Sea Foam Deep Creep. Honorable mention is CRC Knock-R-Loose.

[@venom762]

What book is that??

[@chadvalliere8697]

So that Berryman would work great to clean the baffles on my suppressor then?

[@SchooloftheAmericanRifle]

Yes

[@chadvalliere8697]

@@SchooloftheAmericanRifle NICE, thank you!

[@JamesSmith-su3oz]

If evaporust works on my 100 + year old sargent wood plane it will work on a 60 year old crud coverd part. Yes please on the lower and the upper.

[@michaelhill7298]

I know your doing a 601 but Where can I find a m16a1 part kit? I wouldnt mind doing somthing like this. Thanks and keep up the great videos!

[@SchooloftheAmericanRifle]

There are lots of m16 surplus kits available still. Unfortunately kits don't have barrels, and pencil barrels are scarce right now.