Nickel Finnish and Hoppes #9

[HCD]

Hope this is the place for this. I saw in another posting that (it said) you should not use Hoppes on nickel guns because it will harm the finnish, I just got a beautifull mod. 19 and the last thing I want to do is harm it. Is this the case? I've used #9 for over 40 years and dont have a clue what else to use. Anybody want to venture an opinion. Thanks for your time.
HCD

 

[kennyb]

use a solvent that does not contain ammonia...

 

[rollback88]

Just plain Rem Oil will do the trick for normal clean and maintenance.

--jcd

 

[WOB]

The caution applies to those guns finished in electroplated( bright ) nickel. The reason is that those guns are plated with copper first to give the nickel a compatible base to attach to since bare steel is not the best. The copper underplate is polished to a mirror finish before the nickel is put on.

Since Hoppes attacks copper, it could work its way under the nickel any place where the copper plate is exposed such as a hole or slot, etc.

Theoretically, any solvent that chemically attacks copper is likely to be a problem. Possible alterntatives would be JB bore paste or Kroil.

WOB

 

[Rule3]

The "destructions" on #9 say to not "soak" a Nickel gun in the solvent. If the gun has no nicks or scratches a quick clean and removal would probably not do any damage.

But why risk it, use some Break Free CLP, Rem Oil. One of the best non toxic and can be used on anything is Ballistol , Basically mineral oil with some other goodies.

Ballistol Sportsman's Gun Oil 16 oz Liquid - MidwayUSA

 

[P&R Fan]

Wait a minute, you mean Hoppes #9 is used for something other than after-shave lotion? Nobody told me!

 

[jframefreak]

Wait a minute, you mean Hoppes #9 is used for something other than after-shave lotion? Nobody told me!

I thought I was the only one.

 

[wamalo]

Hoppe's #9 will do a fine job cleaning a nickel gun and will not harm the finish PROVIDED you clean the gun over a reasonable time period (say 15-30 minutes), and do not soak the gun for an extended period in the Hoppe's #9 solution.

 

[dfariswheel]

I once had a customer who owned almost all bright nickel pistols.
He cleaned them with Hoppe's #9 for over 40 years with no harm.

He was sensible about it. He cleaned the guns and wiped the solvent off.
Just don't let it soak and you don't have any worries.
You're more likely to have problems caused by improper cleaning than solvent damage to bright nickel.

 

[Smithboomer]

+1 for BreakFree. BreakFree will clean any Model 19. Hoppe's #9 is great but there is no need for it when other products are available.

I like to use those yellow "lead-away" cloths on my nickel guns. They won't harm the finish and they do a good job on the cylinder face. And nothing shines a nickel gun like Flitz.

 

[HCD]

If this were any other gun I wouldn't give it a second thought. I have always thought (no offence meant) that bright shiny guns were for fancy ladies and those that are involved with same. But this gun came to me by way of a friend that had to replace money spent on a new Purdy birder. And the price was more than I could pass up. Virtually unfired with a set of custom stag grips. I've got some grips coming from S&W and I plan on shooting it a little and am going to carry it for a while. So it will be shot and it is the only silver, chrome, or nickel gun I have ever owned. I've got a few brushed stainless but they are indestructible and get used almost daily never have to worry about how to clean'em. This is a new area for me. So thanks to those that have put me on the path.
HCD

 

[buckeyeshooter1]

Well sounds like you are beginning to aquire 'taste' in your gun finishes I like the others use rem oil or preferably breakfree. There is no reason to risk damage to the finish with hoppes # 9.

 

[n4zov]

I once had a customer who owned almost all bright nickel pistols.
He cleaned them with Hoppe's #9 for over 40 years with no harm.

He was sensible about it. He cleaned the guns and wiped the solvent off.
Just don't let it soak and you don't have any worries.
You're more likely to have problems caused by improper cleaning than solvent damage to bright nickel.

+1 My old reliable (and much shot) nickel M-57 has been cleaned exclusively with #9 and there is no damage whatsoever.

 

[tbury]

+1 My old reliable (and much shot) nickel M-57 has been cleaned exclusively with #9 and there is no damage whatsoever.

It has been said on this forum before, that when asked S&W stated that they have never used a copper plating base under their nickel finish. So Hoppe's used according to the instructions on the bottle should not cause problems on "factory" finish guns. Since most ammonia based solvents cause the copper fouling to turn blue on the patches run through the barrel, I would not worry about using Hoppe's on a nickel gun unless I was seeing blue on the cloths used to wipe down the finish. YMMV

 

[7tenz]

Wait a minute, you mean Hoppes #9 is used for something other than after-shave lotion? Nobody told me!

Have you been using Aqua Velvet for cleaning your guns?

Seriously, it's good info. I have two p&r 29s nickle and always had this concern. I don't have the owners manual any more, but I think it mentioned to wipe off excess solvent on nickle guns.

 

[SPDGG]

IMHO:

MPro7
http://www.mpro7.com/MPro7-Gun-Cleaning-Products.html

 

[hobby-gunsmith]

Hoppes #9 is great but there are numerous solvents on the market. I have been using Mpro7 for years on all of the guns including the pre s&w guns. The military have been using it for years and most Law enforcement agencies use it. You can purchase it on Brownell's or Midway, cheaper than dirt for starters. The Company's web site has plenty of info on the use and reviews from users. Try it and i know you will be sold.
Nick

 

[chief38]

I too have been cleaning nickel guns with Hoppes for over 35 years with no problems. Up until I joined this Forum, I never knew that Hoppes was supposedly bad for nickel. I would agree with some of the other members that say it's OK to use, but just don't soak the gun in it. I also agree with Rollback88 that you can use Remoil for cleaning as well as lubrication, and it will do a great job! I use Remoil on steel guns too, they just did not have it when I first started shooting.

chief38

 

[brokenprism]

I was bummed when Hoppe's changed their formula a few years back. It smells almost the same, but not quite like the stuff that used to transport me to a better time whenever I opened the bottle.

Another good product (everybody has one, huh?) is EezOx. Leaves a dry film of protectant after it's wiped down.