Proper Dug Pistol Cleaning Method

[raw-war-digger]

I'm trying to help a Friend preserve the remains of a .44 Colt pistol. What would be the best method of cleaning the Iron without removing the Patina from the Brass?
I know Electrolysis is out! Was wondering about the newly mentioned Molasses method and it's affects on Patina? Will Olive Oil remove the Patina over a long period of time? Would you clean the Iron with a wire brush, picks, dremel tool, etc. and pick the rust away??

Asking For Any Input From The Experts,
Thanks Guys For Your Assistance, Roger

[reirelics]

Hey Roger i don't know any way to clean it
with out damaging the patina on the brass
unless you use a small wire brush.
Raymond

[Daniel in AK]

Roger speaking from expierence I would not use the dremel as you would eventually get to deep with it and end up polishing the iron.

I preserve my iron relics by "picking all the loose rust",this rust holds moisture underneath it and tis is where your problem is.

Now depending on the strength of the iron,meaning if its not to brittle or soft also use a small ball pean hammer to tap at hard rust spots.usually these are round in nature,you'll pick up on the spots as you tap the item and they'll either pop right off or losen enough to where I use dental picks to get in the crack and pick these out.Dental picks ar the way to go.

Anyhow after doing this awhile put the item on a cookie sheet and put the oven on bake,slip this in there over night just before you go to bed or town,just put it in there for a few hours.

Doing this draws out and evaporates and moisture still in the iron.Keep repeating this until all that loose iron is gone and residual flaking ceases.

You might have to do this agian in the future if it flakes do to moisture in the home.

I did this on my Civil War Body Armor half took me a year off and on ( I procrastinated) :) and I dental picked it for months.After every dental pick I put it in the oven.And I never have put anything on it to preserve it.

Personally I dont like the shiny look on relics to preserve them,and to be totally honest with iron its all about getting the moisture out and when that is accomplished you dont need to coat it with anything.Good Luck.Daniel