Acid Etching - care of...

[mowerman]

Just a bit of reassurance needed chaps please.
I've just taken delivery of a very nice BSA Standard 'T' in original untouched condition.
The blueing is good overall, normally I'd just give it a rub down with 0000 wire wool and oil BUT the etching is SO good and clear I'm afraid of doing it some damage if I do.
Of all the later BSA's I have this has by far the best and clearest etching, all the others have very faint almost indecernable remains so I've not been too bothered.
Anyway what are your suggestions and/or experiences?
Cheers, Paul.

[Sam99]

Hello ,

My advise for what its worth , leave well alone !!
Oil ? I use Parker Hale express gun oil on all my stuff.

ATB ,

Sam

[slug-gun]

Rubbing across the etching lightly with OOOO grade wire wool and WD40 won't harm it at all, and in fact is likely to bring it up a bit by removing any surface corrosion/dirt/dried oil/finger marks etc.
I have known people use toothpaste on etching to try and make it whiter, making use of the slight grittiness that toothpaste has.
Don't think it made much difference, but neither apparently did it do any harm!
Etching is more durable than you might think, otherwise it wouldn't still be there after 70 odd years!

[Sam99]

Hello slug-gun ,

interesting info. there , thanks very much.

Sam

[mowerman]

Thank you Slug-gun, I'll give it a go, carefully mind you!
Cheers, Paul.