jetjky
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Hello. I like shooting the old break top SW 38s and have one that was replated with nickel. I have been told not to use hoppe's 9 around nickel. What would be good to use?
What cleaner for nickel plate gun
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rockquarry
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Hoppe's #9 works fine on nickel and will cause no harm for cleaning. I've been using it for S&W nickeled revolvers since 1973. Earlier this week, I cleaned a nickel Model 29-3 with Hoppe's after shooting cast bullets. I bought this gun new in 1983 and it continues to look new. After cleaning, I wiped it down with a soft cotton cloth lightly impregnated with Ballistol, but a very light coat of any oil will do.
I don't soak any guns regardless of finish in Hoppe's (or any other solution), so can't comment on that. Also, a break in the nickel surface or anywhere the nickel has peeled or flaked off may invite damage if a solvent is allowed to get under the plating, but that's speculation on my part as I haven't experienced such.
If anyone has actually seen nickel damaged by cleaning with Hoppe's #9, please comment and describe the circumstances as I'd like to know and I'm sure others would as well. I'm speaking only of fact, not hearsay or the teachings of Internet and YouTube maestros who like to pass on unsubstantiated information or that which is false.
You might consider calling the Hoppe's people for verification on all this; they might have some helpful comments.
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Hoppe also makes an "Elite" product line which I have been using for years. It was also recommended by S&W Customer Service and my gunsmith. It contains no ammonia and will not harm the nickel finish. It's available from Amazon, too.
It comes in a pump bottle, which I have found works best for me. The pump pressure is excellent for cleaning the face of the cylinder.
Cheers!
Bill
It comes in a pump bottle, which I have found works best for me. The pump pressure is excellent for cleaning the face of the cylinder.
Cheers!
Bill
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My take is that Hoppes attacks COPPER, not nickel. Some guns that are Nickel have been plated first with copper to help the integrity of the Nickel plating job. As I understand, Smith & Wesson never used copper to pre-plate their Nickel plated guns.
I've used Hoppes on Nickeled S&W guns many times with no ill affects, but I do know that at least some Colt Revolvers have copper underneath their Nickel plating and would shy away from using Hoppes on them.
If you are still nervous and want to not worry at all, use something like G96 CLP, Breakfree CLP, Ballistol - (if you can deal with the "smelly feet" odor). If you keep up with cleaning and the gun isn't really filthy, those will work just fine.
I've used Hoppes on Nickeled S&W guns many times with no ill affects, but I do know that at least some Colt Revolvers have copper underneath their Nickel plating and would shy away from using Hoppes on them.
If you are still nervous and want to not worry at all, use something like G96 CLP, Breakfree CLP, Ballistol - (if you can deal with the "smelly feet" odor). If you keep up with cleaning and the gun isn't really filthy, those will work just fine.
Hoppes No. 9 is a poor copper solvent when compared to many other solvents. If this was a S&W factory nickel plating or replating, I would have no worries about copper under the nickel as S&W applied their nickel directly to the underlying steel or aluminum. If it is an aftermarket plating job, there could be a copper intermediate layer. If there is a copper intermediate layer, then either be really careful with Hoppes No. 9, do not let it sit and soak and remove all of it before oiling or waxing. Otherwise, this might be one of the few times where CLP is a good choice for cleaning.
Pisgah
Member
Clean and maintain your nickeled S&W guns just as you would a blued one. The old tale of Hoppe's #9 harming the plating is bunk, pure and simple. S&W never used the plating method often described as vulnerable.
I may be wrong but the old formula Hoppes # 9 contained nitrobenzine. Nitrobenzine can attack copper ( and possibly nickel) which allowed the other solvents to work better. I believe ( but not certain) that the old formula Hoppes was not recommended for nickel.
ol777gunnerz
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info
To clean, shine, & even out the finish, use Flitz cleaner. It really works, do not use on blued guns as it will damage the finish on them.
To clean, shine, & even out the finish, use Flitz cleaner. It really works, do not use on blued guns as it will damage the finish on them.
Thanks for your reply. Shooting led bullets out of the old break tops will require a bit of scrubbing but one trick I found was to use those "copper chore boy" cleaning pads for pots. I just wrap a few strands around the jag then run it through. Really takes that lead out.
As to the hoppes on a nickel gun, I was told that during the plating process, the gun is first plated with copper, then nickle. If the solvent gets below the nickel, it could attack the copper and cause it to flake off. I have also been told that the new nickel process used now will not do this. Not sure.
As to the hoppes on a nickel gun, I was told that during the plating process, the gun is first plated with copper, then nickle. If the solvent gets below the nickel, it could attack the copper and cause it to flake off. I have also been told that the new nickel process used now will not do this. Not sure.
rockquarry
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Again, a light rubdown with a soft cloth impreganted with a minimal amount of oil (any kind) is all that's necessary after cleaning nickel or any other gun surface. This may be unnerving for the obsessive cleaners, but it works well and your gun will look like new for a very long time. Bore surface needs only minimal lube as well.
As for Flitz...why?
gwpercle
Member
Hoppes " Elite Gun Cleaner " and "Elite Gun Oil " ...
both are on the pricey side but safe for nickle finishes , very good products and low odor ... my wife likes the no smell feature !
Gary
oddshooter
Member
i have a jeweler's 2 piece polishing cloth that has one piece with impregnated rouge and one piece for polishing the rouge off.
Seems to work quite well.
Seems to work quite well.
