I have an abused( not by me) early 70's model 12. Steel cyl. and bbl, and an aluminum alloy frame. Lots of crud everywhere. I do not have a parts cleaner, or sonic cleaner. I want to get a quart of something, and immerse the gun for a week or 2, and then use air and brushes for final cleaning.

What do I want to immerse it in, WD40?

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

I have used Kroil, and it has been very successful.

Have you removed all the wood and what is the size of the pieces you have left? I'm not sure how a quart of anything will be enough to submerge the pieces if that is what you have in mind. Stoddard solvent would be good. Lacquer thinner works well but is highly flammable. Do you have any access to a solvent tank of a friend or business? Out in the country you could find a container efficiently shaped and soak it in gasoline but that probably breaks every safety rule in the book. Probably not a good idea to smoke using this method!!! Any other ignition source could be a disaster. You could try aerosol carburetor spray which doesn't allow you to submerge it but will get an awful lot off. It is also highly flammable. Don't catch yourself on fire.

Kroil is the ticket. The model 12 frame is aluminum anodized and believe anything like lacquer thiner will cause you major finish grief. Be sure you completely dissambly first.

I would likely hose it down and work it out with Kroil, then give it a good soak in Marvel Mystery Oil or a good ATF.

I have not removed the wood yet, but I will. Maybe it takes 2 quarts, not sure. The obvious remaining large part is a 2" K frame revolver body. The cylinder is 6 shot 38sp. There is rust on the trigger, hammer, cylinder, one of the charge holes, and God only knows what the internals look like BUT, it locks solidly, feels great single and double action, and has no push off or head shake.

I need something that will loosen rust, and dissolve crud over time. it can be a slow process. Maybe I will have it immersed for 2 months. I bought it as a winter cleanup project. The gun unfortunately is no more than a truck or tackle box gun

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

I'm going to nominate my reply above for "dumb post of the day". I was thinking this was a Winchester model 12 shotgun which certainly is much larger than what you are talking about in the S&W line. I didn't read carefully enough. What was said about lacquer thinner damaging finish is probably right. Sorry for my confusion of the issue. Kroil would be a good suggestion.

Model 12.. bread loaf pan, set gun in, cover with less than quart, I bet 'ya..

I'll second a soak in Kano Kroil. After you finish the soak strain the kroil in cheese cloth or a coffee filter and back into the can.

I admit, I was a bit confused, but yes the magnas are off

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

If it's worth doing it's worth doing right:

Believe me, this gun needs more than this

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

From what you are implying, it should be completely disassembled, scrubbed, cleaned, de-leaded with a Lewis Lead Remover, lightly and properly lubed, reassembled and checked out by competent GS or equivalent for functioning. From what you are describing a "bath" itself will not do the trick. Get yourself a Lewis Lead Remover if you do not have one. Dental Picks will also help as well as a stiff toothbrush and Aluminum finish friendly solvent.

I dont think submerging the whole gun is going to do what you want for it. It really needs to be completely dissasembled or at the very least, the side cover needs to come off. I soak my gun parts in mineral spirits. If there is rust, I use Kroil. Id never soak a blued gun in Kroil for a long period of time though. For small parts that are rusty, I soak them in Evaporust but be aware that Evaporust will remove the bluing. For general filth, you shouldnt need more than mineral spirits and Hoppes #9. Pictures would help.

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Cliff