Chassepot in the White

[rescuerandy2]

Good Afternoon. Have a Chassepot that I would like to bring back to the white. No pits, no rust, just 146 years of use. What is the best way to clean the metal to white? Thanks, Randy.

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[WarPig1976]

It's usually frowned upon to remove the patina. Asking this here is like going on an animal rights forum and asking the best way to choke out a calf with your bare hands,,,you know, to get the best veal....

If you must,,rubbing compound from the auto parts store should do the job...

[browningautorifle]

Steel wire brush on a grinder motor.

[rescuerandy2]

Agreed. The patina a weapon accrues is part of its history and I have never removed it to date. In the case of my Chassepot, I should have stated that it was salvaged sporter. When I restock the weapon, the barre band locations moved back to their original positions on the barrel leaving areas of "white." To remedy this, I decided to go all white and bring the weapon close to "as issued." Thanks, Randy

[WarPig1976]

Steel wire brush on a grinder motor.

Right to the big hammer....

There's a bunch of stuff Randy. Chrome wheel polish, tooth paste, Flitz is a good metal polish but pricey.

[browningautorifle]

Glass beader...

[Patrick Chadwick]

"What is the best way to clean the metal to white?"

"Steel wire brush on a grinder motor."

I presume you meant that sarcastically Jim?
It's also the best way to round off all corners and totally eliminate any markings!

"Glass beader..."

Now that sounds better. Glass beading - done carefully! - will clean up in corners that cannot be reached by brushing, and followed by a metal polish will produce a beautifully clean surface. I had it done once by a gunsmith (not an auto-repair workshop!) and the result was beautiful. I would not do it on any gun with the slightest historical value, being now older (unavoidably) and wiser (hopefully).

[rescuerandy2]

No real value other than possibly having "been there." Dated 1868 might allow for the possibility of the F-P War. Other than that, is was a parts/sporterized weapon that is just getting the chance to make smoke again. Randy

[browningautorifle]

I presume you meant that sarcastically Jim?

Of course. I can't imagine anyone doing any of that. It would be like the man with the nearly mint Harper's ferry musket that he thought he'd just "Knock the rust off"... But, it ain't my gun so...

[vintage hunter]

I can't imagine anyone doing any of that

Oh but it happens. You should've seen the original Colt Lightening rifle I spotted at a gun show several years ago. Some doof had ''cleaned it up'' with a Dremel, but he used a grinding rock instead of a wire wheel.