colt cobra nickel

[danmat]

I just picked a nice nickel colt cobra looks to be about 1975 model.
I have never been to wild about nickel but I could not pass this one up.
Looks test fired only, not a mark on it.
My question is what to avoid cleaning wise to not hurt the finish?

[marlin39a]

I've heard Hoppes attacks nickel if allowed to remain on the surface. Other than that, enjoy that beauty.

[GOPHER SLAYER]

Hoppe's bore cleaner is devastating to a nickel finish. The stuff was formulated to dissolve copper and that is what is under the nickel. A man I worked with ruined a beautiful nickel finish S&W model 10 by leaving it wrapped in a rag soaked with Hoppe.

[Outpost75]

Safest cleaner to use on a nickel Colt is Kano Kroil.

[Dan Cash]

Any copper solvent bore cleaner will remove the nickel from any firearm. I personally use Ed's Red but other solvent/cleaners like Kroil would be my recommendation. Get used to the discoloration on the cylinder face; it does not hurt anything and efforts to remove it are harmful to the nickel.

[danmat]

Thanks for the help guys.

[Shawlerbrook]

The old Cobras are cool. I have a blues one from the early 60’s.

[Tatume]

Ammonia is what you must avoid. Good nickel plating goes over a thin layer of copper. Ammonia attacks the copper, and the nickel will then peel.

[danmat]

ok looks like I'm good to go about all I use is Kroil or CLP

[Petrol & Powder]

Safest cleaner to use on a nickel Colt is Kano Kroil.

/\ Ditto /\

And as others have said, stay away from any of the ammonia based cleaners such as Hoppes #9.

[FergusonTO35]

I would think that kerosene would be an effective bore cleaner and safe for just about any finish.