[flmason]

Just curious are folks using Windex doing it with blued guns or just stainless steel.

SS seems intuitive enough as plenty of folks use Windex on stainless kitchen surfaces... but it doesn't mess up blued (usually black really) or color case hardened type finishes?

The ammonia doesn't promote rust or etch the surface of the metal?

[Das Jaeger]

I use Balistrol , top notch stuff for BP guns . Been a round for eons , for a reason .

Das Jaeger :)

[flmason]

Hmmm... I used to used Palmolive or other dish detergent and hot water, but not at the range.

The Windex idea seems convenient, but would hate to end up with a gun "in the white" because I was lazy, LOL!

[Ginormous]

The theory with glass cleaners is the ammonia content, being slightly alkaline, helps to neutralize the acids that form when black powder residue is exposed to moisture. I used Windex to get my guns squeaky clean once for a photo session. No harm was done to the bluing whatsoever. Once I was through photographing them, I reapplied Ballistol inside and out as Das Jaeger recommends. Ballistol is really good stuff.

[Das Jaeger]

Try the Aerisol ballistrol too, shoot her on your patches on a board with patches stuck on board with pins from the wifes sewing kit , hee he he , spray on , let dry , excellent pre-lubed pathces in the dry but lubed , especialy if your lookin for THIN .
Squeeky clean shootin I tell ya , slippery as snott .
Would make great wonder wads too with stock felts ? I grease over so not for me , but for you Cass guys , it may be just the ticket :)

Das Jaeger

[sltm1]

Just as a "Range Report", I've used Windex on both blued and stainless c&b gun's for over 10 years, and can safely report it doesn't harm either finish. Then again, I rinse after using, dry and lube thoroughly before reassembly. By the way, doesn't react to browned metal either.

[Snaggletooth]

Ive used windex for years but I always get the original formula. I havent noticed any fading of bluing. I use it on Rugies, Piettas, ASM others. Its handy, efficient but I always follow up with a hot soapy bath and a hot rinse.

[BCRider]

I windexed out the barrels for the lunch break at my CAS day because when I looked down the bore the oil and black snot was hanging in there like snot in a kid's nose. The Windex shot the stuff out lickety split. I didn't think about the blueing since it had been recomended as a quick field clean in a couple of threads I had seen. And the active ingredient in Windex evaporates VERY quickly in any case.... still... it's nice to see sltm1's report on the long term use of it.

[nalioth]

Here we go again. . .

Windex is used at a hot range because the bottle is convenient to carry in your range bag. The "mystery substance" that does the work is called "dihydogen monoxide (http://www.dhmo.org/)", and it makes up 99.9% of the content of windex.

There are no other "mystery chemicals" that 'magically' clean your gun to be found in windex. It's just the fact that it comes in a convenient-to-carry spray bottle that has it show up in range bags.

[BHP FAN]

Even handier is the bottle from a five hr. energy drink.Wash it out really well and fill with windex.It'll fit in a possibles bag,and you can soak a patch with it,and do a ''quick clean'' right there at the range.Sure makes it easier when you get home.I shoot old milsurp rifles a lot too,and the same thing is true there,too.Those corrosive primers mean you need to clean with Windex or hot water before you go through your regular routine.

[black_powder_Rob]

nalioth did you actulaly read that web site? They claim that DM can be found to cause hurricanes and tropical storms, give me a break. for what it is worth i think i will continue to carry a bottle of Windex to the range with me. (when i get home though my irons allways get a hot soapy bath.)

[Ginormous]

Here we go again. . .

Windex is used at a hot range because the bottle is convenient to carry in your range bag. The "mystery substance" that does the work is called "dihydogen monoxide (http://www.dhmo.org/)", and it makes up 99.9% of the content of windex.

*Sigh*

Nevertheless, Windex has a pH between 10.5 to 11.0 (http://www.scjohnson.com/msds_us_ca/PDFs/350000004274_Windex_Original_Glass_Cleaner.PDF), which puts it well into the alkaline range, making it an ideal candidate for a quick flush. It's doubtful you would take the equally convenient and much more common soda water and spritz your blued guns with it. The dissolved CO2 forms carbolic acid, and over time would no doubt have an impact on your revolver's finish. Well maybe you would, since soda water is "99.9%" H2O.

[maulme]

I've always heard the Windex to use is Windex with VINEGAR, which I've used for several years to pre-clean at the range. I still use hot water and soap at home. The blueing has been unaffected on my two lyman GP rifles, and my two Uberti pistols.

Or you can always clean like the British did in battle: pee down the barrel; the uric acid supposedly dissolves black powder residue. Just don't do it in front of the rangemaster.

But like nalioth said above, it's the dyhydrogen monoxide that's doing most of the work. But be careful of that stuff -- it's killed millions.

[Ginormous]

Vinegar is an excellent soak to remove bluing. Ouch.

[Shultzhaus]

For the range, I use Butch's Bore-Shine for black powder. Only need a little to soak a patch. I know, it's $6 a bottle, but I'm on the 3rd season with the same bottle. Does fine until I get home for the real clean up. As always Ballistol for lube.

[billnpatti]

I have used Windex on my muzzleloading rifles and it works quite well with no bad side effects. However, it can be a bit expensive for cleaning rifles. I have found that the cheap Wal Mart brand windshield washer fluid is just as good and a whole lot cheaper. These cleaners are just that, cleaners. They are not intended, nor do they work at all, as rust preventors. Once you have used them to clean your gun, you still need to go over it with a light coat of oil. Ballistol has been mentioned and I concur. Ballistol is an outstanding choice as a gun oil. Do whatever you need to do to get some and use it. You won't be sorry.

[flmason]

dihydrogen monoxide... LOL! H2O... :D

I'm was more worried about the ammonia.