Dear Mark, 

I checked with someone on your question - not a conservator, but someone who is a firearm collector.  Here is his response:  

Try a little bit of Hoppe's #9 or Break Free.  Spray it on, 
let it sit for a half hour or so, then wipe off.  If that doesn't do it, try 
Browning Gun Oil and a popsicle stick.  No joke, the stick is softer than the 
metal and won't damage it...  There is also another kind of oil, which I 
can't think of right now.  I'll do some research and see if I can find the 
article on that stuff.  It supposedly lifts off everything, including rust, 
without damaging the metal or finish. 


I'll let you know if he finds the name of the other oil.

Deborah Winton, Registrar
IARC, SAR
Santa Fe, NM


>>> Mark Steed <[log in to unmask]> 02/21/02 08:55AM >>>
--World War One German Maxim MG08
machinegun.  It is complete in all respects including the "sled"
mount.  The weapon has been in storage for a long time and has
never been properly cleaned. Somewhere in its history some cretin
was spray painting and did not protect the gun. It is now covered
with white(of all colors) overspray. Much of the original blued
military finish and black paint is still present. I have tried a
few solvents in an attempt to remove the thousands of little white
dots. These that I have tried are damaging to the black enamel or
lacquer beneath.  Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly
appreciated.  This thing is really driving me crazy.  Mark Steed-
Arkansas State University Museum, Jonesboro.

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