tank.
A glass container of around two or three gallons capacity is needed to hold the chemicals. The acid to
use is one gallon of commercial sulfuric acid with one quart of distilled water. The acid is always poured
into the tank first, and the water added slowly. A sheet of plumbers lead or weight, of surface area to
equal or greater than that of the gun parts, is used as the cathode, and are connected to the minus
battery post or cable on a battery charger. The anode is the metal to be deplated, and the gun parts are
wired tightly to the anode, connected to the plus battery post. They are usually hung on the copper wires
that are wound about them well enough to make good contact, and these wires connected to the anode.
Stripping time is usually from five to ten minutes.
Sulfuric acid is hygroscopic, and that means that it absorbs water from the atmosphere and your
solution will actually increase in quantity. A deep tank, will give a considerable increase in volume, but
as the solution is weakened by the extra water taken in, more sulfuric acid must be added. This solution
will deplate most plated items including nickel, chrome, and cadmium.
RAPID METAL REMOVAL
A need for rapid metal removal or where there are no contours and a flat surface is to be maintained.
Conversely, the softer types of polishing wheels are used where there are irregularities in the surface
and the fast removal of metal is not the prime requisite.
To remove pits, scratches and scale, and put a high finish on the surface of a barrel, receiver, part, or
tool, various wheels must be used. For practical purposes the main wheels that the gunsmith needs are:
2 canvas wheels 8" dia. X I" wide
2 " " 8" dia. X 1/2" wide
2 " " 6" dia. X 1/2" wide
1 felt wheel 6" dia. X I " wide
2 cloth buffs (sewed) 10" dia. X 3/8" wide or 1/2" wide
2 " 10" dia. X 2" wide
2 (Loose muslin) 10" dia. X 2" wide