Old lead bullets

[TheIndifferent1]

A friend of mine has an assortment off oddball and obsolete caliber rounds. many of them are unjacketed round nose lead bullets, but they have turned white and powdery on the surface. I'm assuming this is a reaction with the air - what can be done to clean or prevent them from degrading further?

Thanks

 

[mooncoon]

The white is lead oxide unless I am mistaken. You can go over them lightly with fine steel wool and maybe a light coat of wax to shield them from the air in the future. It usually takes a long time and some dampness to get the white oxide. No doubt there will be those who say that you should leave the bullets as they are; matter of personal preference I think

cheers mooncoon

 

[kodiak1]

Wonder how the polisher would clean them?
Ken.

 

[Longwalker]

lead oxide is extremely toxic, much more so than elemental lead. Watch how you "clean" them. Wash your hands and work surface after. I just oil old collector bullets once in a while if they aren't for shooting, keeps lead from oxidizing just as it keeps iron from rusting.