doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com What a difference a good cleaning makes

The other day I posted the first photo of one of the locks from my 1870 Scott on another thread. I thought the lock was pretty clean but on a whim I tossed both of them into my sonic cleaner. Wow! Every time I do this I am stunned at what comes out! My sonic cleaner is a Lyman and I just use the detergent they sell. I don’t disassemble anything, just whole hog and then thoroughly dry with a heat gun on a low setting (hair dryer would work just as well). Amazing that after 150 years the locks remain almost brand new! What you see is the way it left the Birmingham factory, nothing else has been done.

BEFORE




AFTER

I really need to get a better quality ultrasonic tank. Mine is cheap junk and lacks the power to do much of anything.

That looks great.

What will you lube it with? Oil or grease?

Brent, I use a moly based oil but any good oil will be fine. Just use sparingly. If you can see it then it’s too much (IMO). It will wick into the tight places. I once saw JJ Perodeau simply smear Vaseline over the moving parts and called it good. He said in time it would wick everywhere. Whatever....

Wow! Look at how the case colors pop. I’m going to have to try this.

150 year old quality there.

Old brown gun. Harrumph!

Wow, did that ever make a difference. I need to get myself a cleaner.

Parts from a 3 digit M1885 after a ultrasonic bath.

I seem to recall an earlier discussion of sonic cleaners that mentioned possible damage to leaf springs. Is there a concern?

question...

after cleaning of hardened parts, on old dirty guns, where does one stop with the cleaning process?

collectors like originality...dirt and grime are worth money...rust is not, usually...