Ckeaning a Niclel Finish Revolver

Hard Ball · November 22, 2007, 06:40 PM

I have aquired a Niclel finished S&W revolver which is about 65 years old. It is in excellent shaoe but the nickel finish has turned dull. Anyone know a way to clean it and brighten the finish without damaging it?

Dfariswheel · November 23, 2007, 12:24 AM

Many people recommend a mild metal polish like Flitz, or Brasso.

Rub GENTLY with a soft cloth and the polish. Don't over do it, all metal polishes are abrasive to some degree or other and CAN thin the finish if used too often or too aggressively.

Bill DeShivs · November 23, 2007, 01:21 AM

DON'T use Brasso! It's too abrasive, and gunks up any crevice it gets in.
Flitz or Simichrome on a soft cloth will shine it. There is also a product called Nevr-Dull that will work. Lead Away cloths will work, ut be very gentle! Once it gets shiny, stop polishing. A Dfariswheel says, you can cut right through the plating.
With any of these, spray the gun out thoroughly with brake parts cleaner & dry thoroughly, then WD 40 & dry thoroughly, then lubricate.

Hard Ball · November 23, 2007, 09:21 AM

Thanks for the information..

brickeyee · November 23, 2007, 04:31 PM

Be very careful with anything that can clean/attack brass on a nickel plated gun.
Copper has been used as an undercoat for electroplating with nickel.
If there are ANY defects in the nickel plating and a chemical that can attack copper is used, it can lead to further damage and even peeling of the nickel plate.

James K · November 23, 2007, 08:01 PM

Brickeyee is right; the culprit is ammonia. Avoid using ANYTHING containing ammonia (like Hoppes No.9) on a nickel plated gun.

Jim

November 22, 2007, 06:40 PM	#1
Hard Ball Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 1999 Location: California Posts: 3,925	Ckeaning a Niclel Finish Revolver I have aquired a Niclel finished S&W revolver which is about 65 years old. It is in excellent shaoe but the nickel finish has turned dull. Anyone know a way to clean it and brighten the finish without damaging it? __________________ "I swear to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemeis domestic or foreign WHOMSOEVER."

November 23, 2007, 01:21 AM	#3
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,987	DON'T use Brasso! It's too abrasive, and gunks up any crevice it gets in. Flitz or Simichrome on a soft cloth will shine it. There is also a product called Nevr-Dull that will work. Lead Away cloths will work, ut be very gentle! Once it gets shiny, stop polishing. A Dfariswheel says, you can cut right through the plating. With any of these, spray the gun out thoroughly with brake parts cleaner & dry thoroughly, then WD 40 & dry thoroughly, then lubricate. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

November 23, 2007, 09:21 AM	#4
Hard Ball Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 1999 Location: California Posts: 3,925	Thanks for the information.. __________________ "I swear to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemeis domestic or foreign WHOMSOEVER."

November 23, 2007, 12:24 AM	#2
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	Many people recommend a mild metal polish like Flitz, or Brasso. Rub GENTLY with a soft cloth and the polish. Don't over do it, all metal polishes are abrasive to some degree or other and CAN thin the finish if used too often or too aggressively.

November 23, 2007, 04:31 PM	#5
brickeyee Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Posts: 3,351	Be very careful with anything that can clean/attack brass on a nickel plated gun. Copper has been used as an undercoat for electroplating with nickel. If there are ANY defects in the nickel plating and a chemical that can attack copper is used, it can lead to further damage and even peeling of the nickel plate.

November 23, 2007, 08:01 PM	#6
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Brickeyee is right; the culprit is ammonia. Avoid using ANYTHING containing ammonia (like Hoppes No.9) on a nickel plated gun. Jim