Green Gunk / Verdigris from brass in leather...

[mordecai]

Guess what I found this year... Some D*mb*ss left his hunting ammo in the leather loops again and while a few cheap shells didn't mean much before, this time I left some rather expensive rifle ammo in the loops to crust over pretty good...

I understand this Green Gunk is called Verdigris. It's kinda waxy and I've read it can be removed with a vinegar solution.

Before I try this, is there some conventional wisdow about this I have already missed? Is there a better was to clean them up or salvage them? Is it a lost cause in that any tarnish is a side-affect of corrosion and the cases are perhaps beyond use?

 

[LAK]

Household ammonia and salt. Problem is keeping it out of primers and case necks; perhaps a paste of salt and ammonia - or a cotton cloth very damp with a solution of it might be more easily controlled. Wear gloves and do it outside - or open all the windows.

I have not tried this; try one or two first and see if it is practical for you.

Vinegar is supposed to work too.

For leather try this:

http://www.militaryhorse.org/studies/restoration/clean.asp

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[mordecai]

Thanks for the info - although I've heard ammonia makes brass weak??? That right??

 

[LAK]

That I don't know - I have not heard that before but it could never the less be true. Perhaps someone with a more scientific background might be able to answer that one. To be safe, perhaps the vinegar rag is the best route for now.

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