[AIKIJUTSU]

I have a pistol that is stainless steel, with some external parts (safety levers, trigger, hammer, slide stop/release, etc) plated with gold. As I have been led to believe, gold is pretty much inert, but I don't know if it is safe with solvents that dissolve copper. Does anyone know of any special considerations that apply for cleaning the gold plating? Is any ol' solvent OK?
Thanks.

 

[paperplatetargets]

I think I'd stay away from copper solvent. Depending on the purity of the gold, it probably has copper in it along with some other metals as well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colored_gold

 

[AIKIJUTSU]

Thanks! I expect that means that Hoppe's #9 should not be used, then.

 

[BillDeShivs]

Gold plating does not contain copper. It's usually pure gold. Solvents won't hurt it.
Gold plating is extremely soft and it wears easily. Never use any kind of polish on it-even the ones that claim to be non-abrasive.

 

[AIKIJUTSU]

Thanks, folks, I appreciate the input. I'm considering just cleaning the barrel, guide rod & spring assembly, and slide with something like Hoppe's, then carefully cleaning the frame (which contains the plated parts) with a rag soaked with more Hoppe's, being extremely careful to avoid getting any on the gold. Maybe Q-tips would help in keeping the solvent off the gold. It'll be kinda slow that way, and a clumsy stroke may get solvent on the gold, but I guess there's no easy solution.