Ckeaning a Niclel Finish Revolver

[Hard Ball]

I have aquired a Niclel finished S&W revolver which is about 65 years old. It is in excellent shaoe but the nickel finish has turned dull. Anyone know a way to clean it and brighten the finish without damaging it?

 

[Dfariswheel]

Many people recommend a mild metal polish like Flitz, or Brasso.

Rub GENTLY with a soft cloth and the polish. Don't over do it, all metal polishes are abrasive to some degree or other and CAN thin the finish if used too often or too aggressively.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

DON'T use Brasso! It's too abrasive, and gunks up any crevice it gets in.
Flitz or Simichrome on a soft cloth will shine it. There is also a product called Nevr-Dull that will work. Lead Away cloths will work, ut be very gentle! Once it gets shiny, stop polishing. A Dfariswheel says, you can cut right through the plating.
With any of these, spray the gun out thoroughly with brake parts cleaner & dry thoroughly, then WD 40 & dry thoroughly, then lubricate.

 

[Hard Ball]

Thanks for the information..

 

[brickeyee]

Be very careful with anything that can clean/attack brass on a nickel plated gun.
Copper has been used as an undercoat for electroplating with nickel.
If there are ANY defects in the nickel plating and a chemical that can attack copper is used, it can lead to further damage and even peeling of the nickel plate.

 

[James K]

Brickeyee is right; the culprit is ammonia. Avoid using ANYTHING containing ammonia (like Hoppes No.9) on a nickel plated gun.

Jim