What is your process for cleaning older guns?

[RussellD]

I just picked up an older model 10 snub nose. It is in excellent shape with some small speckles of where rust has started in areas under the grips and a few very small places.

What process do you use to clean your older guns? I was thinking of a good wipe down/soak in weapon shield for 24 hours and then a detail cleaning with flitz on the rust spots followed up with wax.

Please share your methods, secrets, etc.

 

[Armen]

Cleaning

I disassemble as completely as possible and put the parts in an ultrasonic cleaner. Rinse well, dry with hot air, and put on some Break-Free. Then I do the usual barrel and cylinder cleaning with Hoppe's and a bronze brush. It may take a few goes to get baked on stuff off.
Careful with the metal polish (Mother's, Fltz, etc) on a blued gun-it may take off the blueing. Try a gun wax specifically listed for blued finishes.
I've managed to get out minor pits with gun wax. If you used the silicon impregnated cleaning cloths-be careful-the ones for stainless guns may remove blueing.
Good luck!
PS I use Dawn dishwashing liquid in my ultrasonic. Sounds odd, but it works.