Cleaning dirty engraving

[bruce a lyons]

Any suggestions on cleaning dirty engraving without hurting the case color? Thanks in advance.

[edgarspencer]

Disassembled, soak the receiver and other engraved bits in mineral spirits for a half day, or so. Then, a good blowing off with a fine tipped air nozzle. Toothbrush helps without scratching.
If the gun is assembled, or at least has its stock attached, cotton balls soaked in spirits, held it place for a bit, then toothbrush.

[Travis Sims]

Ultrasonic

[Dean Romig]

Disassembled, soak the receiver and other engraved bits in mineral spirits for a half day, or so. Then, a good blowing off with a fine tipped air nozzle. Toothbrush helps without scratching.
If the gun is assembled, or at least has its stock attached, cotton balls soaked in spirits, held it place for a bit, then toothbrush.


But DON’T get the mineral spirits on the wood finish!





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[Jay Gardner]

This may sound like a dumb question but why do you want to clean it? The dirt/grime actually gives it definition and makes the detail show up. Personally I would probably leave it alone, but there just me.

[Brian Dudley]

But DON’T get the mineral spirits on the wood finish!





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Mineral spirits generally will not damage wood finishes. It is very mild. Denatured alcohol and acetone are what you have to be careful around.

[Brian Dudley]

This may sound like a dumb question but why do you want to clean it? The dirt/grime actually gives it definition and makes the detail show up. Personally I would probably leave it alone, but there just me.

That may be true in the case of mild build-up in the engraving. But any significant amount certainly does not help the appearance of engraving. I have cleaned many guns that looked like complete crap before hand and after looked like a different gun entirely.
It is a form of maintenance when done properly.

[Scott Gentry]

What I did to a DHE

[Jay Gardner]

Wow, that’s very impressive.

[edgarspencer]

This may sound like a dumb question but why do you want to clean it? The dirt/grime actually gives it definition and makes the detail show up. Personally I would probably leave it alone, but there just me.

Protects those awful case colors from showing too

[Jay Gardner]

Protects those awful case colors from showing too

Unfortunately the case colors on all of my old Parker’s were long gone. That being said I’m now curious what may be hidden.

What’s the prescription and instructions for using Ballistol to clean a receiver? Looks like a good use for an electric tooth brush.