Rust from the back of the safe.

[Slimfinn]

So came across this today, and has me a little concerned. Barreled action that i had in the back corner of my gun safe, all stainless except the bolt. Not quite sure how to explain it. It would have been there a year at most. Ruger 77/357 stainless beside it also showed some on the barrel and action, and a little on an old blued model 94 on the lever and action.
It cleaned right up with some flitz and a cloth, bolt took a bit more. Did I maybe wipe it down with something I shouldn't have when i put it away? The rest of the guns in the safe are fine, both blued and stainless. Ive never had an issue in the 8 years weve been here. I keep a rechargeable dehumidifier with the beads in the safe, went and bought a rod today. Relatively dry Montana climate.

Any thoughts?

 

[Slimfinn]

Photos added

 

[wvbuckbuster]

No idea about your issue but I had the action on an over/under shotgun start showing some surface rust around the action but nowhere else and no other guns. Cleaned it up and wiped down with a different protectant and no more rust. So maybe try something different. Just a guess. Dan.

 

[JD338]

I think the golden rod will help keep moisture away. I had one in my Liberty safe in a Michigan basement for 20+ years and never had a problem.

JD338

 

[FOTIS]

What JD said.

 

[RL338]

I think the golden rod will help keep moisture away. I had one in my Liberty safe in a Michigan basement for 20+ years and never had a problem.

JD338

Both of my safes are below grade and a Golden Rod in each one also.

 

[Guybo]

I have something similar going on with a Ruger stainless 357mag 6" barrel. I have a rod in the bottom back of the safe and the pistol is on a top shelf in a cloth case. Everytime i take it out it has surface rust on it. I clean it up and put it back and next time I check it has started again. I recently took it out of the case and moved it to the bottom closer to the rod and it appears to be making a difference, only time will tell. It's the only gun i have in the safe that has done that. Mike

 

[Charlie-NY]

My Browning safe has a Browning 110v dehumidifying rod that is never off. I've got a Goden Rod in a storage cabinet that is also run 24/7. Neither location has ever seen a bit of rust. Wiping everything down with a good rust inhibitor is never a bad idea.

 

[TheMoon]

I’ve had a similar issue with my safe before. I also live in a relatively dry area, but even then, some of my guns started showing a little surface corrosion. I realized that sometimes it’s the dehumidifier beads getting too wet and causing moisture to linger. After I got a rod heater in mine, things definitely improved, just like you're doing now.

As for the cleaning, I’d recommend checking what you’re using to wipe them down. Sometimes certain oils or cloths can leave residues that attract moisture. I started wiping mine down with a light coating of oil before storing them.

If you're thinking of upgrading or expanding your safe, it's a good idea to buy gun safes that provide better moisture control options.