Repairing a rusted spear

[dohzer]

Long story short, I lost a spear due to a line snapping in bad weather, and found the spear two weeks later on another dive.
The spear seemed fine, but a few days later I noticed it had rusted quite badly in the open air.
It was the default spear that came with my Rob Allen Scorpia.

Is there anything I can do to get rid of the rust? Scrape off the rust? Coat it in something? Chemically or heat treatment? Or is it simply going to remain that way?

 

[kwtony]

When i find rust ill get a brillo pad or some steel wool and give it a few swipes. Then put some light oil on it when you're finished and youll be good to go

 

[hteas]

Put the oil on the steel wool before scraping off the rust, or you will be removing the zinc coating with it. Then you'll have lots more rust.

 

[dohzer]

I'm actually thinking that could be the problem though. I think whatever coating was on the spear may have been removed by the sea water over the three week period. The spear was a year or two old anyway, so I wouldn't be surprised if the coating was already partially damaged before I lost it.

Would you expect three weeks in salt water to do that?

 

[bobdonny]

I have the same gun and the default spear is badly rusted.
Like others have said, but I use a brillo pad and wd40. I then give it a rinse in fresh water after every dive and oil. I did buy a spare spear but never got around to using it... apparantly teh fish do not mind the rust