Cleaning of a Carbine

NVNutcase · Jul 13, 2014

I'm in need of some information on the cleaning of a Maynard Carbine. It was found in some Cedar-Pine Duff. Pretty good rust all over it, but it would be nice to clean it enough to see the Serial number. Thanks for any info !

Tejaas · Jul 13, 2014

This is a textbook example of a recovery that warrants a round of electrolysis.

Keep eyes on it like hawk for good measure, and with patience and persistence you'll be able to eventually slide that cartridge right out and possibly have another angle of approach for information/dating purposes.

Don't run current directly thru the cartidge however... it -will- disentegrate!

When it's all said and done, seal it for preservation!

~Tejaas~

Tejaas · Sep 8, 2014

Dude.... I've tried to be patient!

Update, por favor!

~Tejaas~

NVNutcase · Sep 9, 2014

Sorry 'bout that, Tejaas ! The only cleaning I have attempted so far was to soak the Tang in some White Vinegar and it turned out like this.

Tejaas · Sep 9, 2014

NVNutcase said:
Sorry 'bout that, Tejaas ! The only cleaning I have attempted so far was to soak the Tang in some White Vinegar and it turned out like this.

Night and day difference!
Looks great!

Do you plan to soak the remaining length of the carbine?

~Tejaas~

NVNutcase · Sep 9, 2014

That is the plan right now, in fact, if I can round up a suitable container, I'll get it going today.

Tejaas · Oct 23, 2014

Any updates, Mr. NVNutcase?
I keep pestering ya about it, but this is my favorite TNET item ever listed, haha.

~Tejaas~

NHBandit · Oct 23, 2014

Molasses. For rifle length items a plastic window box from the garden shop or one of the plastic tubs for soaking rolls of wallpaper works good. A couple gallons of water mixed with a jar of molasses. Soak for 2-3 days and the rust will brush off with 000 steel wool. Here are some antique railroad lanterns that were soaked in a 5 gallon bucket of molasses & water. They were completely covered with surface rust when I started.