doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Cleaning Engraving

I was looking at my Double Gun Journal and noticed that most of the guns shown from the latest English auctions had very bright
snd easily seen engraving - even on very old guns. Is there a way to clean a patina from engraving without sanding? I was wondering if white vinegar would work!

I have heard that toilet cleaner will work, but I would wear gloves. I have also heard that used oil from an engine will work. I have not tried these yet but I have heard from an reliable source that these will work.
john

Jas,

I have some cleaner here that I can try. Have you heard of using white vinigar?

Toothbrush and a polishing coumpound will work.

From the LCSCA FAQs

To clean corrosion from the engraving, get some solid copper wire, like that used for household wiring (Romex) of 14~18 gauge. Strip the insulation off of one strand or just use the ground wire, cut it at a long angle with a pair of diagonal cutters. Use the fresh cut end as your 'pick' or tool along with some Kleen Bore Formula 3 or Ballistol to remove the rust. If it gets worn too smooth or rounded, just nip a small increment from its end to 'resharpen'. The Formula 3 will penetrate wonderfully and loosen the rust as well as prevent future rusting, and the copper 'tool' will not scratch a thing nor harm the engraving. It will be tedious work, but you should only need do it once. Do not be afraid to bear down or be aggressive with the wire's end, you cannot hurt anything, metal wise. You could put a gouge in the wood though if you slip, so pay attention. Use a piece of wire long enough to be comfortable held in your hand and bend the last 1/2 " 90 degrees or down for the working end if it makes it easier for you to use it that way. Dr. Bill likes to use a brass toothbrush with Ballistol.

White vinegar will remove bluing and I suspect case colors, too. I cannot think it should be used as just a cleaner.

When I want to clean something well, I use an old dental ultrasonic cleaner with powdered Spic and Span. Then rinse the metal off in ultra hot water, blow off water with compressed air and then lubricate as needed.

Daryl is correct. White Vinegar (Acetic Acid) will remove oxidation of which Rust, Case colors, and Bluing are all members.

Ultrasonic methods have always worked well for me. A good Stiff bristle brush after a long run in the ultrasonic works wonders.

I asked Dr. Gaddy this same question on Nov. 1st, 2001 concerning the lockplates of a coin finished Beretta S3. His answer was:

"If the blemishes are not deep pits, you could probably help the appearance by polishing lightly with a mild abrasive. You might try Flitz polish which is good for polishing delicate metals. Other mild abrasives include common household cleansers such as Bon Ami, Soft Scrub, Comet and Ajax. I have listed these in order of increasing abrasiveness. You could also try using a common pencil eraser - this sometimes works very well on surface rust or corrosion.

I presume the lockplates were either color casehardened and have been polished or are one of the modern coin finishes"

JC

I used Kroil and oooo steel wool on a rusted Parker CH and had very good results.
bill

Bill,

What is Kroil? I've never heard of it. I tried using the copper, then SoftScrub and last a pencil erasor. So far I haven't
had much luck. The double rifle that I am cleaning up is a very
early engraved Purdey from 1856. It was converted from a muzzleloader to a breechloader. The engraving is beautiful, not
pitted but very dark. I don't want to mess it up.