Cleaning an old Luger - Page 2

newfoundlander · 08-01-2005, 01:48 AM

Although Flitz, Maas, and other metal polishes which contain jeweller's rouge, powdered tripoli and the like are indeed great polishes However they WILL harm rust blued, nitre blued, strawed and fireblued metal. Although the labels state these products can be used for cleaning firearms they often neglect to mention that they are referring to modern salt blued pieces. IF you have to use these polishes I would recomend opting for the liquid instead of the paste as it's action is milder. BRONZE WOOL and some CLP or a light penetrating oil works wonders. Soak the parts overnight and rub the metal down the next day (lightly!!!) with some bronze wool. Don't go nuts with the scrubbing. Just do enough to loosen any crud and then wipe it off. Repeat this for several days and if you're careful only crud and loose oxidation will be removed.

thegundude · 08-01-2005, 10:16 AM

I like to use 0000 steel (bronze is safer but softer) wool and nearly any kind of oil. You want to stay away from WD-40 (IMHO) as it sometimes causes more harm than good. Better off with just some motor oil.

No matter what you use, just make sure you don't use the steel (or bronze) wool dry. That will be bad news....

policeluger · 08-01-2005, 11:23 AM

We've been down this road before here on LF, after 30 years in the gun smithing business, having cleaned more guns then I care to remember, the only thing to use on even the hightest quality Colts and Lugers, is very fine oil, I like "Snake Oil", and a Brillo type pad made of nickel/silver and even the hard of direct scrubbing on salt/rust blue surfaces and it will not scratch or dull the finish, can also be used with Hoppes and the like....the pad is from the Big .45 shop and available from Brownells and sold also at major gun shows.....try it.

newfoundlander · 08-01-2005, 12:10 PM

I've also used the pad from Big .45 and have nothing but praise. I've tried similar items from Brownell's, the Outer's Rust Ridder, and the item offered by Midway. Hands down the Big 45 item wins as it "cuts" better and lasts longer. In my remote part of the world however Bronze wool is easier to find. A review of the Big 45 offering can be viewed here:

http://www.cruffler.com/accessory-re...vember-00.html

08-01-2005, 10:16 AM	#22
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	I like to use 0000 steel (bronze is safer but softer) wool and nearly any kind of oil. You want to stay away from WD-40 (IMHO) as it sometimes causes more harm than good. Better off with just some motor oil. No matter what you use, just make sure you don't use the steel (or bronze) wool dry. That will be bad news.... __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

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08-01-2005, 01:48 AM	#21
newfoundlander New User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Although Flitz, Maas, and other metal polishes which contain jeweller's rouge, powdered tripoli and the like are indeed great polishes However they WILL harm rust blued, nitre blued, strawed and fireblued metal. Although the labels state these products can be used for cleaning firearms they often neglect to mention that they are referring to modern salt blued pieces. IF you have to use these polishes I would recomend opting for the liquid instead of the paste as it's action is milder. BRONZE WOOL and some CLP or a light penetrating oil works wonders. Soak the parts overnight and rub the metal down the next day (lightly!!!) with some bronze wool. Don't go nuts with the scrubbing. Just do enough to loosen any crud and then wipe it off. Repeat this for several days and if you're careful only crud and loose oxidation will be removed.

08-01-2005, 11:23 AM	#23
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	We've been down this road before here on LF, after 30 years in the gun smithing business, having cleaned more guns then I care to remember, the only thing to use on even the hightest quality Colts and Lugers, is very fine oil, I like "Snake Oil", and a Brillo type pad made of nickel/silver and even the hard of direct scrubbing on salt/rust blue surfaces and it will not scratch or dull the finish, can also be used with Hoppes and the like....the pad is from the Big .45 shop and available from Brownells and sold also at major gun shows.....try it.

08-01-2005, 12:10 PM	#24
newfoundlander New User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I've also used the pad from Big .45 and have nothing but praise. I've tried similar items from Brownell's, the Outer's Rust Ridder, and the item offered by Midway. Hands down the Big 45 item wins as it "cuts" better and lasts longer. In my remote part of the world however Bronze wool is easier to find. A review of the Big 45 offering can be viewed here: http://www.cruffler.com/accessory-re...vember-00.html