I've got a couple of older revolvers, Smiths of course, that have a some very tiny rust spots on the barrels that I would like to remove without damaging the bluing. In reading several posts one of the preferred methods seems to be bronze wool and Blue Wonder. Having never used bronze wool before is there a certain grit I should use or does it come in more than one grit like steel wool?
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Bronze wool
- Thread starter Housepuss
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Bronze and Copper wool are not rated the same as Steel Wool. Steel wool is rated 0, 00, 000, and 0000 where the 0000 is the finest one. Bronze and Copper Wool are rated course, medium and fine. How they relate to one another is a bit mysterious to me, but i would just buy the finest one which in Bronze is rated Fine.
BOMBTEC
US Veteran
Bronze Wool?
Try "Big 45 FRONTIER Metal Cleaner". At Big 45 Frontier Metal Cleaner works grate on surface rust. Won't harm blued surfaces.
Try "Big 45 FRONTIER Metal Cleaner". At Big 45 Frontier Metal Cleaner works grate on surface rust. Won't harm blued surfaces.
I buy fine bronze wool at Ace Hardware. Inexpensive and it works for me. YMMV...
I have been keeping Bronze, Copper and Brass wool in my workroom for decades now, but I have been amazed at how well the Big 45 Frontier Metal Cleaner has worked since I first learned about it a few years ago.
My vote is to get your hands on the Big 45 Frontier Metal Cleaner
My vote is to get your hands on the Big 45 Frontier Metal Cleaner
I used ‘fine’ bronze wool with Birchwood Casey ‘barricade’. Which is a very light oil with corrosion inhibitors.
Besides using bronze wool or the like a good soak in a light oil like transmission fluid mixed with kerosene will help loosen the rust and make it easier to remove. Some of it may well just wipe off after a 24 hour or longer soak.
TygerTyger
Member
Kroil and bronze wool is definately the way to go if you are saving the blueing. If not, then a rust remover will work ever better than kroil.
hardcase60
Member
As the result of having recently purchased a nicely
pitted 2", S&W, Model 10-5, last night I was doing research on this very subject. Here is what I found: Homax Customer Care
April 19, 2016
Bronze Wool cannot get as fine as Steel Wool because bronze cannot be cut as thin as steel. Fine Bronze Wool is the finest cut of bronze possible and is equal to about #00 Steel Wool.
Note: Homax is one producer of Bronze Wool found in the big box home improvement stores. hardcase60
