Walther lg55 disintegrated seal

[aaron david]

Hello, new guy here. I have recently gotten back into airguns, and have set up a makeshift 10m range in my basement. And, after shooting a Slavia 631 I decided to step up and pick up a cheap (ha!) Walther. Well, I got one shot out of it, before it showed signs of piston seal failure. I have resealed a couple of guns, so I dug into it. Sure enough, seal failure.

No huge deal, especially at the cost I paid. But my question relates to the disintegrated seal, and how to clean the seal residue bits out best. Is there a preferred solvent? A tool that works best? Right now, I have gotten most of it out with a brass rod. But, this has left some remains impacted into the area where the cylinder walls meet the end of the tube. Also, I want to make sure that the transfer port is cleaned. I want to get this taken care of before I proceed any further.

Thanks in advance.

[Toxylon]

A standard procedure is to wash the receiver insides with a Motor Cleaner-type solvent, to take out any foreign bits and especially dissolve old grease, lube etc. Wiping with a clean, soft cloth, using a stick to follow.

[aaron david]

Motor cleaner? Like a degreaser from Autozone? Or a dedicated electric motor cleaner? I don't want to damage any blueing.

[Motorhead]

From @ 8+ years ago .... http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=51167.msg485800#msg485800

[oldair]

To remove the packed-in seal remnants, you may need a tool to dig the stuff out.  I made one from a suitable dowel, slotted lengthwise just deep enough to hold a piece of thin aluminum as a cutting blade to reach into the corner.

Don R.

[Mrblonde40]

I use a dowel or shotgun cleaning rod, usually with a 10 or 12 gauge bore mop.  I've used brake cleaner, acetone, rubbing alcohol or even white gas.  None have hurt the bluing, but I would stay away from the white gas as it's very agressive and will strip any oils in the steel.  All of these should be used cautiously being very flammable.  And you must make sure to clean these residues thoroughly before reassembly.

[HectorMedina]

Hello, new guy here. I have recently gotten back into airguns, and have set up a makeshift 10m range in my basement. And, after shooting a Slavia 631 I decided to step up and pick up a cheap (ha!) Walther. Well, I got one shot out of it, before it showed signs of piston seal failure. I have resealed a couple of guns, so I dug into it. Sure enough, seal failure.

No huge deal, especially at the cost I paid. But my question relates to the disintegrated seal, and how to clean the seal residue bits out best. Is there a preferred solvent? A tool that works best? Right now, I have gotten most of it out with a brass rod. But, this has left some remains impacted into the area where the cylinder walls meet the end of the tube. Also, I want to make sure that the transfer port is cleaned. I want to get this taken care of before I proceed any further.

Thanks in advance.

Congrats on returning to airguns!

LG 55's are great guns, but yes, the early "nylon" seals did not fare well with age.

Perhaps you can find useful reading these two articles:

https://www.ctcustomairguns.com/hectors-airgun-blog/eine-grossartige-dame

https://www.ctcustomairguns.com/hectors-airgun-blog/noch-zwei-weitere-grossartige-damen

As you can see, I use acetone, and for two reasons:

One it gets all the crud out by removing the "gums" that are holding the crud in.
Two it prepares the gun for full lubrication with Teflon based greases.

I also change the piston sealing system completely, as there is a lot to be said for easy maintenance.

Hope the articles help you. Keep well and shoot straight!






HM

[aaron david]

Thank you so much. I had read both your and Motorheads articles but missed the one on LGV's. Interestingly, my rifle has an LGV spring and piston it seems, so I am in the middle of sorting that out. I do like your idea of taking an older LG and making a full guide for it. And thanks for letting me know about the acetone, that is exactly what I was looking for.

[HectorMedina]

Thank you so much. I had read both your and Motorheads articles but missed the one on LGV's. Interestingly, my rifle has an LGV spring and piston it seems, so I am in the middle of sorting that out. I do like your idea of taking an older LG and making a full guide for it. And thanks for letting me know about the acetone, that is exactly what I was looking for.

Glad you found the articles interesting and useful.




HM