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Naval jelly and old guns

BlckhrnBlckhrn Member Posts: 5,136
edited January 2007 in Ask the Experts
I picked up a mostly complete barrelled 12 ga double action that I'd like to shoot. Cleaning up the rust browned barrels with steel wool looks to be a long job, and some deeper stains look like they won't come out at all. I don't think there is any significant collector's value here but the gun should shoot fine. Still I don't want to greatly detract from what value it does have.

Has anyone here ever used a product like naval jelly for thi purpose?
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Comments

  • brier-49brier-49 Member Posts: 7,103 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    From using navel jelly many years ago I remember it took off thr rust right down to bare metal.I dont think it would leave much of the blue/brown.
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  • Tailgunner1954Tailgunner1954 Member Posts: 7,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    As long as you remember that the bluing and browning ARE rust......
    As long as the existing finish is smooth, I'd leave it alone and call it patina.
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  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hello are you SURE the darker stains are not A sign that these are damascus barrel and if they are I would be careful with the statement the gun should shoot fine . I would have the barrels checked and if they are damascus only shoot with black powder and then ONLY with a good gunsmiths blessing.
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  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    I've used it. It leaves the metal a light gray color; rather nice itself if well oiled, but otherwise will need a final buffing or very light sanding to get down to shiny metal for rebluing.
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  • BlckhrnBlckhrn Member Posts: 5,136
    edited November -1
    No bluing, no browning, bright finish under the forearm. Yes Damascus, of course black powder, no gunsmith needed.

    Naval Jelly?
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  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sorry I should have read your profile first . Did not intend to imply you did not know enough to judge if safe to shoot .I must have been brain dead with your picture of powder horn . I hunt with a Landcaster style FLINTER and collect old lawn tractors. email me with your email address and I will send you a picture you might like.
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  • RamtinxxlRamtinxxl Member Posts: 9,480
    edited November -1
    If you mix earwax with navel lint, do you get naval jelly?
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  • awindsawinds Member Posts: 1,139 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    No. You mix navel lint with toe jam to get naval jelly![:o)][:)]
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  • rhmc24rhmc24 Member Posts: 1,984 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    On steel as you describe I often use the SIDE of a fairly soft wire brush wheel. It will remove the loose rust and burnish the surface without scratching.

    Been there! Done that!
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  • rmillrmill Member Posts: 595 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Blkhrn, use a carding brush or wheel from Brownells... It'll turn the rust into 'browning' or 'blueing' and leave as much of the original finish as possible. I've used naval jelly on non-dam guns and it is basically just a from of jellified acid (can't remember the name of it, like an electrolyte or some such name) and it'll remove ALL the finish and I would suspect would penetrate and weaken the damascus... Better throw a think on it before you do it!
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  • redman.com1redman.com1 Member Posts: 718 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    no, dont use navel jelly on firearms! there are too many alternitives.
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