Citric acid for cleaning a Lyman #55

[Walter Laich]

Got a used #55 of an auction site.

Was wondering if I could use citric acid to clean the brass parts of the powder measure?

thanks
walt

[Irish71]

I just used Isopropyl alcohol to clean up all the parts and then used a dry lube to get it moving smoothly, worked like a charm. Brass parts are far from shiny though

FWIW, mine's from the 1960's

[mold maker]

The citric acid wont hurt anything brass. It will be clean and not tarnish for a long time. Just don't tumble polish them. That would round off the sharp edges leaving a bad fit.

[Walter Laich]

Thanks--getting ready to tear it apart and wanted to have my ducks in order before I get into it


w

[geargnasher]

It's not cartridge brass, you could use stronger cleaner if necessary, but the citric acid solution will passivate the brass and leave it satin yellow that will last a long time without tarnishing.

Gear

[Kevin Rohrer]

I use citric acid to clean rust off steel. It takes 2-days of soaking, but works well.

[GOPHER SLAYER]

Kevin Rohrer, if you want to remove rust from steel, use muriatic acid. A gallon is less than four dollars and it will do the job in 3 to 5 minutes. The acid they make now does not hurt to breath like the acid made previously. Do not leave the steel in the acid too long or it will turn black. I have been using this method for decades. It will turn brass almost white in a hurry.

[MtGun44]

Citric acid is FAR less dangerous to you and to the parts than muriatic acid.

Bill

[r1kk1]

I've seen muratic acid used to clean toilets.

Take care

r1kk1

[frnkeore]

Be forwarned, I used Muratic acid to clean a Lyman mold once. It took the rust off but, it also took the corners off the mold cavity (rounded them) so, beware of it's ability to take the edges at a higher rate than the rest of the metal.

Frank