removing lead form blued surfaces

[BruM]

I shot a lot of cheap wadcutter reloads from my S&W K38 and they left lead residue on the cylinder face. Any suggestions how to remove the lead without ruining the bluing??

 

[8emem]

I brush on some Kroil and let it sit for a while, then scrub with a brass brush. Depending on how much fouling comes off, I might repeat the process a 2nd time. This is usually enough to get about 90% of it off. The bluing on my revolvers is not compromised by doing this, so I pretty much quit at this point and live with whatever the cylinder face looks like. A note about using Kroil - it gives off a strong odor, do this type of cleaning outdoors.

 

[PAPACHUCK]

Lead-Away cloths from Kleen-Bore.

http://secure.armorholdings.com/kleen-bore/product174.html


Way too easy.

 

[DMZ]

Lead-Away is known to remove bluing.

The fouling on the cylinder face is usually just hard, carbon fouling and if removed will be redeposited next time you use the weapon. Considered leaving it on.

If it is actually lead, I would take a small, stiff brass brush to it or pick it off with the point of a brass jag. This still might scratch the blued surface.

 

[texagun]

Stick with the brass brush and some solvent.
Lead-Away cloths WILL remove the bluing.

 

[Publius1688]

Cylinder face fouling just means you actually shoot your revolver, as opposed to just look at it.
Take a brass brush to it with your favorite solvent, and leave it be.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Ditto on the Lead Away cloths removing bluing. BTDT. :banghead:

As long as there isn't so much lead buildup that it interferes with cylinder rotation, don't worry about it. You'll just put excessive wear on the cylinder face trying to get it spotless.

 

[Buzzard]

Buy a Lewis Lead Remover from Missouri Bullet Co. Get extra brass patches and use those to gently scrub the lead away. No harm to the bluing, guaranteed lead removal.

Every revolver sold should come with one as standard equipment.

 

[PAPACHUCK]

I've used the Lead-Away for years with great results, but most of my revolvers are stainless or nickle and it's never affected the finish. Sorry about recommending it for a blued gun.