Cleaning lead bullets?
I have accumulated an assortment of various old cartridges. I am thinking about a modest display for my own enjoyment. I don't mind the appearance of the tarnished brass, but, some of the lead is almost white in color. Any suggestions on cleaning, restoring, enhancing, etc. the lead, not neccessarily to make it appear new, just not so white? Thanks.
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I think in the past I've had good results with phosperic acid. Hardware stores sell it as Naval Jelly. The white is just corrosion and rubbing it with the acid removes it. I've also used Turtle Wax or amalguard (milspec soft film corrosion inhibitor) to preserve them.
What men call a hero...is merely a man who is seen doing what a brave man does as a matter of course.
A man who is in love with learning is a man who is never without a bride, for there is always more. L'Amour0 -
As a "purist" who's been collecting ammo "professionally" for thirty plus years, the question and this answer give me chills.
Please don't take offense, but, seriously, this is akin to a fellow saying he has some old Colts with spots of metal showing and asking the best way to cold blue them. It's normal for the lead to oxidize and while I don't know what rounds are involved, many of the pre-1900 types had a lubricant on the lead which turns white as the specimens age.
Please give me or some other collector an idea of the calibers involved before proceeding, especially if you should elect to do the acid route. It's unlikely the value is an issue to you, but if there should be some specimens of unusual rarity, an aggressive cleaning will greatly reduce this value. With really old and unusual specimens, dimensions are a key identification tool and aggresive cleaning methods can alter these slightly, making ID more problematic.
Further, if you are determined to do this (and I do understand how the appearance offends you), the best way to clean them is to start mild and work up. The bullet is in many ways the most fragile component of the cartridge because the lead will reflect almost everything done to it. Any sort of acid must be monitored most carefully and should only be used in the direst extremities. I've seen several specimens really mangled with even dilute solutions of vinegar.
An old toothbrush with alcohol or toothpaste will clean a lot of corrosion with minimal effect to the cartridge.
Rather than go into detail on methods, may I respectfully direct you to the International Ammunition Assoc. web site (http://www.cartridgecollectors.org/)? There are several links in a column on the left side; about 2/3 of the way down, there is one to a page on cleaning. While this focuses mainly on the brass, it should give you some ideas of how to proceed.
"There is nothing lower than the human race - except the French." (Mark Twain)0 -
sell the old white powdered bullets you have and with the money you make for them being in original condition, it will buy you a so so collection with money to spare; and, history will be preserved. dont ruin your bullets!
former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction.0 -
Take a deep breath, you two. I hear what you're saying..making the bullets bright and shiny is akin to stripping the paint off Shaker furniture, or sanding the stock on that Win 73. I'll leave them as is and do some research before I do anything at all with them. I really do appreciate the feedback! About once a month or so, I will buy a box lot at one of the auctions that will have some loose ammo in it, like the 38-55 stuff I was writing about a week ago. I can appreciate the passion about this old stuff! I'm looking forward to learning more. 0 -
Iconoclast, this one is smart and watches Antiques Roadshow! I think you have a convert here.
Woodshermit, you can trust Iconoclast, he is as close as we have to a genuine expert on ammo here, so close no one could tell he is not the real thing (don't want him getting the big head, do we?) You can learn a lot talking to Icon.
He Dog0 -
Breathing easier, hermit, thank you! [;)] If you put some paste wax (as suggested on the IAA site) on the bullet, it will arrest further oxidation and often will darken what is already there, making the appearance more appealing. Depends a lot on the specimen involved.
He Dog, thanks - I think.
"There is nothing lower than the human race - except the French." (Mark Twain)0 -
Thanks for the link. I've already learned a new technique for repairing boxes, useful for fishing, also. 0
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