removing copper plating from 302 stainless steel

[redlegs]

I have some copper plated type 302 spring steel that I need to remove the copper from.
I believe that 10% ammonia will work. Can anybody confirm? Any other ideas?
Thanks for the help.

 

[TomDOT]

Ammonia should certainly clean the copper, but you may also etch the stainless, or at least disrupt your passivation. The stainless guys probably know a lot more.

Instead of just ammonia, I would look at using one of the many firearm bore cleaners - they should have inhibitors to limit the effect on your stainless.