[johnny wong]

What particular type of solvent can be used on pistol with out damaging the finish and/or internal parts?:confused: :confused:

[mete]

Solvents like trichlorethylene, methylethylketone, acetone won't damage finish (bluing ) but may damage plastic (grips or frames like Glock) Anything with acid will remove bluing. Abrasives will also damage finish.

[Mike Irwin]

If acetone is no good someone should have told me 20 years ago when I started using it as a heavy duty cleaner...

[Ledbetter]

Acetone is bad. So are mineral spirits (Stoddard's solvent), but it's cheaper. An excellent soak is mineral spirits (Stoddard's solvent) and Kroil penetrating oil. I'm pretty sure it would eat a Glock whole and spit out the bones.:neener:

TIP: Use nitrile mechanics' gloves when using this stuff.

[dfariswheel]

Acetone or ordinary lacquer thinner is a good, but very flammable, gun solvent.
I usually reserve it for cleaning small parts, or parts that are grease-impacted.

For general gun cleaning I use cheap Walmart paint thinner. This is a good general solvent, but not nearly as risky around paint, stock finishes, and plastics. Also much less flammable.