Cleaning Brass Barrels and brass hardware

[Rickk]

I finally decided to make by brass mini-mortars all nice and shiny again.   I saw a tip in the black powder gun section about a household cleaner calllled "KABOOM shower, tub and tile cleaner". It comes in a spray bottle. They make another variation of this stuff that says for something else... it is the "shower, tub and tile cleaner" that they specifically refered to.

Anyway, I found the stuff in the cleaning stuff section of the local supermarket. It really works... just spray it on, wait three minutes, rub off with a damp paper towel, and then rinse with water. I had to repeat the process about three times to remove almost a years worth of discoloration due to BP induced tarnishing.


changing subjects just a bit...

I also found that coating the bore with "Ballistol", letting it sit overnight and wiping it down with a paper towel really removes BP residue that had resisted cleaning with just soap and water. I'm starting to love this Ballistol stuff... I seem to be using it on everything gun related all of a sudden (including stocks and holsters). Another plus is that it has a funny, but non-offensive odor. If you have ever been evicted from the house for using Hoppes number 9  or something like it, you know what I mean about offensive odors.

Rick

[EL Caz 66]

Rickk,

I have to agree with you on the the Ballistol muti-purpose sport'sman oil It's a great product. I believe the wife has Kaboom somewhere in the house will give it a try. Thanks for the tip..

[jeeper1]

Thanks for the heads up on the Kaboom. I've had some since last year and if I had known about using it I would not have wasted my money on brasso a couple of weeks ago.

[Tropico]

Does the Kaboom just clean or will it dull the finish? or will it leave the finish exactly the way it was ?  I really like Never-Dull ..,perhaps I will try Kaboom in my bores and stick to never dull outside..., Never-Dull makes my Brass and Bronze look mirror shiny.

[Rickk]

It will look mirror shiny Tropico, just like it looked when it was new. It does not dull the brass. I believe it is a mild acid among other things, so it is going to do the same thing as if you drop a dull penny into Coca-cola. Just that for some reason it works in 3 minutes whereas Coke takes all night. There are no strong warnings about skin contact on the container, so we are not talking battery acid or anything like that though. I touched the stuff with no noticeable affect to my hands.

Jeeper, as I recall, Brasso is an abrasive. That means you have to actually work to make it do it's thing. Kaboom requires very little effort to make it work.

[Double D]

Rick,

In June 1966, I traveled to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego where I had the good fortune to meet Drill Instructor Sgt. Callahan. Drill Instructor Sgt. Callahan took orders only from God and the Commandant of the Marine Corps...Drill Instructor Sgt. Callahan introduced me to virtues of Brasso and how it was good and good to make all things brite....Brasso can not be abrasive, Drill Instructor Sgt. Callahan did not say it was so it can not be so...

[accuratemike]

Not that I have ever used Kaboom but, I'm still a Nevr-Dull guy from way back. Only because I have the monster "Money Saving"  2lb can. It is from the 40's. A friend was cleaning out his garage and gave it to me. I can only assume that it has been passed down through the generations. I've had it nearly 30yrs. It still works. I'll bet "fresh" stuff may work even better. 60 years old and it still makes a little cream (  ) ,pretty amazing if you think about it. All that rubbing keeps you in shape too. (  again) The spray-on stuff sounds too easy, must be witchcraft. MIKE

[Rickk]

El Cazador, when you find out where your wife hid it on you and try it, let me know your opinion of it.

I know you have quite a few of them there brass thingies to keep clean 

[EL Caz 66]

Will do Rickk!!! actually it's funny you mention that I have a carriage coming soon for a .69 cal. brass barrel. once I get her in I'll post some photo's for all to enjoy.. Later Ed