If you decide to use the peroxide/vinegar lead removal method, here are some things you will find useful:
With use of proper precautions Vinegar/peroxide (mixed 50/50) can be used to remove lead from the bore.
With some salt or Clorox mixed in (not to be used in firearm bores) the mixture is often used to etch steel reproduction items to match original finishes. This mixture will ‘frost’ a clean piece of metal in 30 minutes or less to provide a finish that equals 120 years of rust and wear. While the same mix sans the salt or Clorox when used as a lead remover is not as corrosive, you still must use extreme caution if you intend to use a vinegar/peroxide mix to remove lead from the bore of your firearm.
Be careful about mixing hydrogen peroxide and vinegar, it produces per-acetic acid. Per-acetic acid, while commonly used as a sanitizer on food processing equipment, is very corrosive to some metals. It is definitely not safe to use on brass or copper alloys, and will damage both carbon and galvanized steel. When it breaks down it will leave an acetic acid residue on metal surfaces. When we use this mix to remove leading from the bore of a firearm, in dissolving the lead deposits, it produces lead acetate () which is extremely poisonous (). Hydrogen peroxide raises the lead valence from zero to plus two, so that a minus one from the acidic acid ion initiates a rapid lead ‘rusting’ process, making grey colored lead acetate which is not sticky and therefore bubbles out. It cannot be stressed strongly enough that this grey liquid is pure () poison, so do this well away from areas where food is (or will be) grown, prepared or stored and wear rubber gloves. The mixture can however be used to remove excessive lead buildup from the bore of your firearm, if you are careful. The first thing to do is to remove as much of the lead buildup as possible using (approximately) a 30” strand taken from a ‘chore boy/girl’ pot scrubber (just use a magnet to be sure the material really is copper and not just coated) wrapped round a worn out bore brush. Prior to pouring the mixture into the barrel, the barrel must be dry (no oil or other lube). To begin, clean the barrel with Ed’s red or a similar cleaner of your choice and then use rubbing alcohol on a bore mop or rag to remove any residual oil. The vinegar/peroxide mixture can be applied using a clean bore mop or it can be poured in to almost fill the bore as long as the chamber is tightly plugged. The mixture must not be allowed to come into contact with the exterior finish of the firearm, therefore, if you are pouring it in, do not fill the bore to the top as the stuff foams up and it will run over if it is too full. As noted above, this mixture has the potential to damage the bore so allow a two minute maximum soak for the 50/50 vinegar/peroxide mix to work and then wash out the barrel with tap water. Do not use distilled or deionized water. Under some circumstances using distilled water will create lead () bi-acetate or () tri-acetate, either of which are deadly () poisons, so make sure the water you use is somewhat tainted. To be sure, add a quarter teaspoon of salt per quart of water. You may have to repeat the process a number of times depending on the amount of leading present. Run the chore boy through again and if the barrel is lead free, rinse with really hot tap water. Use a hair dryer or other heat source to be sure the barrel is moisture free and then use a water displacing oil such as WD 40.
