Is there any reason a pencil eraser should not be used to remove lead buildup on the front edges of a blued revolver cylinder? Seems to work, I can't imagine it removing any bluing like I've heard some chemical solvents and metal brushes can.
Pencil Eraser for Lead Buildup on Cylinder?
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chicharrones
needs more ammo
I've never tried it, but I'm thinking I should now.
Master Blaster
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Brass brush and a little clp works perfectly, so does a lead away cloth.
The Glockodile
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It's a mild abrasive.
I used pencil erasers to shine icky brass when I was a kid
Hard to go overboard with such
I used pencil erasers to shine icky brass when I was a kid
Hard to go overboard with such
doubleh
Member
It is a good way to remove light rust spots without removing bluing so it should remove light lead deposits although I had never considered using one for that purpose. Let us know what happens if you try it.
It seems to work, better than the Hoppes applied with an old toothbrush my gunsmith recommended. Hard to see how an eraser that can be used on paper will damage bluing. Need to get a bigger eraser.
I don't have any experience with Lead Away, but have read from a number of sources that it will remove bluing.
Driftwood Johnson
Member
Howdy
I will give you my standard answer. Removing lead and carbon residue from the front of a cylinder is akin to the Labors of Sisyphus. Look it up if you don't know who he was. No matter how many times you remove the lead and carbon residue from the front of a cylinder, it will always return the first time you fire the revolver. Once you have enough revolvers you will stop being concerned about lead and carbon buildup on the front of a cylinder. You obviously do not have enough revolvers yet.
I will give you my standard answer. Removing lead and carbon residue from the front of a cylinder is akin to the Labors of Sisyphus. Look it up if you don't know who he was. No matter how many times you remove the lead and carbon residue from the front of a cylinder, it will always return the first time you fire the revolver. Once you have enough revolvers you will stop being concerned about lead and carbon buildup on the front of a cylinder. You obviously do not have enough revolvers yet.
This^^^^
Pat Riot
Contributing Member
Lead Away cloth WILL removing bluing. It will also damage chemically created color case hardening. I know because I did both.
Also, I believe the white “ink erasers” will also damage bluing. I have no experience with that but I was told this by two people who I trust years ago.
I used to get a lot of lead on my Vaquero cylinders when I used various commercially available lead bullets. I switched to Bear Creek Supply moly coated bullets and I no longer have leading issues of any kind.
The Glockodile
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unclenunzie
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Lead away stainless ok, bluing bad.
Look at the OP, the front of the cylinder wasn't the question, it was about the front edge of the cylinder which is visible from the side.
doubleh
Member
I totally agree with you. I didn't mention the futility because if someone wants to clean the front end of their cylinder I say let um' have at it. In time they should figure out it's a waste of time on their own.
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Mizar
Member
Those cheap pink pencil erasers, found on almost every drug store pencil, contain pumice, so they are abrasive and will damage bluing with use. Get yourself a cheap brass letter knife, or sharpen any suitable piece of brass and scrape the lead/carbon deposits any time you clean that revolver. Don't sweat too much about it, as others already pointed out.
CajunBass
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I tried a pencil eraser to clean the front of my revolver cylinder many years ago. I quickly found out (1) it worked. (2) wasn't worth the hassle.
halfmoonclip
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Yeah, listen to Driftwood, and Sisyphus; removing the flash residue is an exercise in complete futility. Only clean the cylinder face when you're going to put it on Gunbroker.
Worse, clean guns don't get shot...
Moon
Worse, clean guns don't get shot...
Moon
Again, not talking about the cylinder face.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
Hmmm. I can't help but think how I prefer to keep my carry guns looking unfired after each shooting session. Some of my guns are going to get cleaned all the way every time.
stanley_white
Member
If you have time, I suspect I am not the only one who would like to see a picture of the area you are describing.
Also, if you never did this, would the revolver eventually malfunction?
-Stan
I has been a long long time since I tried to clean a revolver to try and make it look new and unfired. I , maybe through laziness, have grown to like the little tell tale signs that show it has been working. I do get the chambers and barrel very clean. Every once in awhile I will remove a little lead around the forcing cone when it bothers me. Of course selling a piece never enters my mind!
Not the only way to do things but the way I have migrated to.
Not the only way to do things but the way I have migrated to.
Seedy Character
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Been doing it for 50+ years
halfmoonclip
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So you're talking about the edges of the cylinder? Doesn't matter; same answer applies.
Moon
I like to clean off the powder residue/lead residue from the visible surface of the circumference of the cylinder. It takes a little effort but Hoppe's soaked barrel patches work over time.
I've cleaned the cylinder face with repeated applications of Hoppe's and nylon brushes but it takes a while and I wonder if it is really worth the effort.
I bought a S&W Model 27 a number of years ago where the seller cleaned the face of the cylinder of all lead/powder stains. It looked nice but I decided it is not really worth the effort to keep it clean.
Maybe, if I decide to sell a revolver, I'll make the effort just to please the buyer.
I've cleaned the cylinder face with repeated applications of Hoppe's and nylon brushes but it takes a while and I wonder if it is really worth the effort.
I bought a S&W Model 27 a number of years ago where the seller cleaned the face of the cylinder of all lead/powder stains. It looked nice but I decided it is not really worth the effort to keep it clean.
Maybe, if I decide to sell a revolver, I'll make the effort just to please the buyer.
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