Will soaking a nickel gun in Kroil hurt the finish? Both of these revolvers are gummed up, extractors difficult to pish and spin, but nothing appears bent. They both need a good cleaning. Some surface rust on the pre-18 sideplate and frame, going to attack that with bronze wool and Rem Oil. I also would like to bring some shine back to the nickel.

What I would personally do is to completely disassemble both revolvers (put all parts in separate bowls) and pour in some Remoil. Let the parts soak for several hours and then use a stiff nylon toothbrush to remove gunk, rust, and debris from both the parts and the guns. If there is still rust present, then I would use 0000 steel wool within a bath of the Remoil and gently go over the rust that remains. I would be especially careful on the nickel plated one as it will tend to show the fine scratches left behind from he steel wool. Use VERY LITTLE pressure with the steel wool and you will get good results.

To answer your original question regarding the Kroil, I do not personally know since I have never used that product. There are people here on this site that rave about it, and I have read product performance tests that show it does NOT work well at all, so you will have to wait until other members who have used Kroil, chime in.

Chief38

This is what I do. I take the side plate off and remove all the guts and the cylinder and yoke. Then I spray the gun all over with gun wash, or powder blast. I also then spray the individual parts. This will strip most of the gunk off. It also removes any oil or lubrication. I then use a nylon brush and some solvent and clean up areas that need it. I then use q-tips and re lubricate the parts and put it all back together. I have used Kroil but not on nickel. Just my 2 shekels.

Ammonia is what attacks the copper under-layer of nickel guns.
There's no ammonia in Kroil.
Although I have no nickel revolvers, If I had one, I would not hesitate to use Kroil on it.

__________________
-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

I have never taken a five screw S&W apart. I did take an older Taurus apart, and seem to recall the assembly at the front of the trigger housing was a real PITA to get back together. Any videos available that show this process? Thanks.

Kroil removes Sharpie marker from blued firearms.

I use a trick taught to me by a friend. Automatic Transmission Fluid. Put it in a small container, sit down, watch TV, rub that rust with a NICKEL. Has worked wonders in the past.


Ned

Jerry Miculek has a 2 videos that show how this is done.

I've had excellent results from use of Kroil for rust. Won't use anything else. Never harms blue finish. Allow Kroil to soak in well and only clean gently with bronze brush or bronze wool. Never harshly scrub surfaces. Kroil won't put metal back so don't scrub and scrape until bright metal shows or you've overdone it.