Removing Cylinder Burn Rings from Stainless Colt Python w/ Birchwood Casey Lead Removing Cloth

[@colinj5291]

To get the burn rings around the center, I wrap a small piece of the lead away cloth around a tooth pick. May be a little overkill but I like my revolvers looking new.

[@ColterBrog]

Certainly not a bad idea when you want that like-new shine. I don’t routinely worry with the burn rings, but it is nice occasionally to shine it up like new.

[@markbroughton6811]

Thanks for the tip. I also use the brownells barrel compound.

[@ColterBrog]

How do you like their barrel compound? I haven’t tried it.

[@JustonG1880]

Man this was such a huge help!! I Inherited a 67 SS Colt Python with burn rings and carbon build up!! Now this revolver of mine is looking like it should!! Thank you.

[@ColterBrog]

Glad it helped. One of those little tricks that belongs in any gunsmithing tool box.

[@SiliconDrifter]

Midway use to sell this yellow abrasive impregnated cloth. Never seen it again. Took the carbon rings off easy.

[@ColterBrog]

I remember those. Don’t recall seeing them in… a long time. Probably ten years ago.

[@SiliconDrifter]

​@ColterBrog ya, it's been a long time. I still have one that I keep zip locked. I cut pieces off it when I need to clean tuff carbon off.

[@josephliptak]

Those Pythons are some good looking revolvers.

[@ColterBrog]

I love what Colt did on them both with aesthetics, and the design/build. It’s a beautiful revolver but they built it in such a way it can actually be serviced without using black magic from woodland elves in the back room of the Colt factory, and they managed to do it at a price point that, while definitely still being a luxury revolver, isn’t completely out of reach of willing buyers. It’s a reintroduction done right.

[@tombutler7408]

Mother’s Mag and Aluminum Polish works great

[@ColterBrog]

Do they not affect the finish of the metal? The thing I like about the lead wipes is that they don’t polish. If you have a high polish, then polishing is fine. Brushed finish, or a bead blast polish like the Colt can be altered by some polishes.

[@bustabass9025]

And after arthritic fingers have buffed and polished the front of the Python to a mirror like finish, six more rounds of 158 grain CPWNFPGC lead bullets fully stoked with H110, and the rings are right back again. It's like trying to keep the bugs off the windshield of an eighteen wheeler, traveling through Georgia at night in the middle of August. (Splat!)

[@ColterBrog]

Absolutely true- waste of time, but some people like it shiny.

[@bustabass9025]

@@ColterBrog Evidently, they don't shoot them a lot. They prolly spend more time laying in a safe than pointed down range.

[@jeffw1246]

I use the green scotch pads and Turtle Wax chrome polish and rust remover. Just a little on pad and light rubbing just about 2 minutes tops, sometimes one minute will do. I don't take cylinder off gun. I do first spray gun with Pro Shot one step cleaner and brush first, wipe off and hit cylinder face with the Turtle and green pad.

[@ColterBrog]

I’d be concerned the scotch pads might be more abrasive than necessary, but I haven’t tried it so if it’s working for you it must not be too bad. I’m inclined to think the polish is probably doing most of the work. Just light pressure I assume? I love Pro Shot stuff and should use more of their products. Everything I’ve tried has been at least average and done of it is pretty good stuff. I like their cleaning kits.

[@rburrows7786]

Mothers mag and aluminum polish works great. And it polishes the gun to a spit shine

[@ColterBrog]

I have used Flitz before on some revolvers that had scratches with good success. The only issue is really needing to go over the entire surface to get it to all match.

[@rburrows7786]

@@ColterBrog I have some Flitz being delivered today. Gonna try it for first time and see. I like Mother’s as it doesn’t scratch and drys to a powder. Do it twice and it’s like a mirror

[@vancedyer755]

Save the teardown and just use flitz, smear it around on the front of the cylinder with a Q-tip and wipe it off, your done in just 10 minutes or less. Your cylinder will be clean and shiney.

[@ColterBrog]

Flitz will change the finish appearance of the base metal. Particularly on revolvers with a brushed stainless finish, it will make it glossy.

[@boostimalaka1]

@@ColterBrog Do not use Flitz on new Smith and Wesson blued revolvers. The Flitz will help remove burn rings on stainless steel. Renaissance Wax and Flitz do help prevent rust and will bead up water if the firearm is exposed to rain.

[@frankbutta9344]

I’ve found that on the cloth ingredients remain on the cylinder face, and a brass brush will work it into the gas check area. 👍👍👍👍

[@ColterBrog]

Good tip. Thanks!

[@greenharvestproductions6743]

Thank you for the upload on this particular problem with revolvers being a collector of robbers and I had had many problems cleaning these cylinders. Also different parts of the gun. Nice called Python by the way. As a professional gunsmith I have been working with many revolvers for over the years with powder burns and there's a lot of solutions out there like anything else. Be careful with the body of the gun and do not use sandpaper. Some people have heard that you sandpaper not a good idea. Better is to buff it out using the proper solutions. If you have gun space experience, we know how to remove the cylinder even better. Thank you for the video. Sincerely yours, gunny USMC

[@ColterBrog]

Thank you for the comment and kind words. I appreciate it.

[@yankeecornbread8464]

I wonder if, although they are unsightly, the burn ring deposits on the front of the cylinder are actually helpful because they might make for a smaller cylinder gap?

[@ColterBrog]

Not in any amount sufficient to matter. The gas blowing through there is peaking in pressure at tens of thousands of PSI. You’ll never get enough build up to accomplish anything, and what is removed here is more of a stain that it is a substance. It’s purely a cosmetic concern. I definitely don’t clean the front face of my cylinder regularly because it just doesn’t matter. Likewise I don’t avoid cleaning it because that also doesn’t matter. There’s nothing to be gained either way, it’s just whatever makes you happy.

[@clementglinski3924]

McGuirers aluminum rim polish works very well.

[@ColterBrog]

I have heard that. Also some folks use pink erasers.

[@steven3379]

That was a very light burn ring, did you fire all 6 rounds...?

[@ColterBrog]

The stainless they use on the Python tends to not show much burn. That said, this was at a pretty low round count since it had been cleaned previously and was for the sake of demonstration. It works well on more severe burn rings, also.

[@CreasyEQ]

Just did this the other day with my Taurus. The gunsmith, and inspector's shot my piece and didnt 🪥 it ⁉️ After I complained about it. I disconnect the cylinder arm from the gun. Actually, this was fun to do. I could 👀 myself doing this just for fun.

[@ColterBrog]

Yeah, it’s kind of satisfying seeing it shiny again. In general, though, I would not consider this to be “cleaning”, but rather a cosmetic refurbishment. It has more in common with rebluing something than cleaning for any practical mechanical purpose.

[@The2701666]

ok iam going to buy this. iam wondering if it can be used to clean this chambers of the cylinder, and can it be used to clean the barrel bore of semi auto pistols....in fact why not clean the whole gun with it

[@ColterBrog]

This will cause damage to many finishes which aren’t stainless steel. I have used patches of this to remove lead from stainless steel revolver chambers before. It really isn’t necessary for general cleaning, and in some cases would be harmful. It’s a specialized product.

[@The2701666]

@@ColterBrog thanx for the response, i will use it on revolver only

[@ColterBrog]

@@The2701666 Specifically stainless steel. It can definitely remove bluing. Pretty powerful stuff.

[@markabston5182]

Great video. Keep it up.

[@ColterBrog]

Thanks! I’m trying to do videos at least weekly while maintaining quality of content.

[@grahamohea2424]

I really appreciate the tip! Just ordered some online... I've got a couple of snubbies that would really benefit from this treatment

[@ColterBrog]

Disassembling the cylinder, while not totally necessary, makes this work much easier. Takes a little elbow grease but yields a great result with no change to the finish of the steel. Just be sure to only use it on stainless steel.

[@MikeJack]

I have always used Birchwood Casey Lead Removing Cloth for mine Stainless cylinder, but after 18 shots Burn Rings is back again 😖. I like your canal 👍

[@ColterBrog]

Yeah, definitely only temporary. I don’t clean off the burn rings every time, but sometimes it’s nice to polish it up and make it look pretty again.

[@MikeJack]

@@ColterBrog I do the same

[@jasonatwood8199]

One thing I do is put a drop of CLP on the lead remover cloth. For me, it seems to remove the carbon quicker.

[@ColterBrog]

Interesting tip. I’ll definitely have to try it.

[@polvoramexico]

can be used in a matte metallic finish?

[@ColterBrog]

I have had good success on polished stainless and brushed stainless. Matte stainless steel shouldn’t be an issue- although if it is not stainless steel I don’t know. I would be hesitant to use it on an aluminum alloy without consulting the manufacturer.

[@polvoramexico]

@@ColterBrog Thank you

[@codeguy112]

Use aluminum mag wheel polish comes right off easy peasy

[@ColterBrog]

This would probably work fine on the Python with its high polish finish. In more matte or brushed stainless finishes some of the polishing compounds make the brushed finish take on a shinier appearance, especially after repeated use. So, yes, but it’s application dependent.

[@josephtutolo3304]

I can't agree more with the product you recommend. I've been using it for 20 years. But why did you take the cylinder off. Just crazy.

[@ColterBrog]

A few reasons, one of which is just to make the filming easier so the audience can get the best view. Second, is that I can really put some elbow grease into it without risking any torque to the crane or extractor rod. Just allows me to be more aggressive in the cleaning without worrying about damage. Third, it gives me a little better access to the area around the gas ring so I can really get the small spaces clean, too. It’s mainly just for convenience and isn’t necessary. It’s simple to do and just made life easier.

[@winstonchurchill3597]

Damn looks nice.

[@ColterBrog]

Doesn’t last long, but it shines it up nice.

[@winstonchurchill3597]

@@ColterBrog Once every so often I guess.

[@prebaned]

Pointless if you going to shoot it again soon. Regular cleaning is all you need. However if you shoot cast lead I find the cheaper and less effort way is to buy a case of Scotch Brite White pads and uses Hoppes #9. It will last a life time and leave no scratches and you can use it safely else where lead and carbon build up is. Pads work OK too, but give the Scotch brite a try. It works so much better and faster.😁

[@ColterBrog]

The point was to make the video on how it’s done. I almost never do it just for my own sake, but the burn rings bother some people.

[@johnd7116]

Bent my crane screw when trying to get it loose😭

[@ColterBrog]

What screwdriver were you using?

[@johnd7116]

@@ColterBrog the wrong size like an idiot

[@ColterBrog]

@@johnd7116 I wonder if Colt will sell a replacement? I haven’t tried it with them- some companies are really sticklers about selling parts. SIG was pretty good, not sure about anymore. S&W side plate screws are one thing I really wish were widely available and I’m always surprised they aren’t- whether factory or aftermarket. There are SOOO many old revolvers which are cosmetically fine except for someone at some time in the past deforming a screw head. It’s a shame. I can often do a decent job of rehabilitating them and hitting them with a cold blue, but it isn’t perfect.

[@lawdog490]

Only problem w a revolver… 6 holes to clean instead of one…

[@ColterBrog]

That, and most people are unwilling to disassemble them, and most manufacturers discourage disassembling them. Revolvers are fairly well sealed up from most dirt so it’s typically not a problem for range guns or nightstand guns, but when it comes to carried revolvers in humid climates with sweat… it can become a problem when the internals don’t receive preventative care.