Thread: Rusting Howa's

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.