Bore Cleaner Warning

[Fishbed77]

destroyed the finish on the receiver".
What? That is never acceptable in my book. I have a Ruger 10/22 and this is not good to hear. I have used some bore cleaners on receivers and frames to remove carbon build-up in the past. I'd be disappointed if the finish was damaged.

If it's a painted-on finish, bore cleaner will damage it, no matter the firearm. Even Saiga rifles and CZ pistols (which have a crazy-tough baked/painted finish) will have their finish damaged by bore cleaner/carb cleaner/brake cleaner.

The stuff can melt polymer as well. My brother had some damage the polymer grips of his Buck Mark pistol. Myself, I only use it to remove cosmoline from mil-surp firearms, and then only after removing all the wood.

For normal cleaning, Hoppes No. 9 and CLP will always do the job.

 

[Robert101]

You know I'm just realizing the I group Hoppes #9 into the "bore cleaner" category. So, will Hoppes #9 also damage the finish on a Ruger 10/22 receiver. I hope I'm not intruding upon the OP's thread as I believe this to be just a clarification on it.

 

[Fishbed77]

So, will Hoppes #9 also damage the finish on a Ruger 10/22 receiver

Not in my experience.

 

[socalbeachbum]

I'll volunteer to test my already damaged Ruger paint job with Hoppes #9, but I do not believe it is damaging unless you leave it sit on there a long time.

I only use Hoppes in the bore and in the bolt/receiver area to cut powder residue. I never wipe down the exterior with Hoppes. I use CLP or Tri-Flow or plain ol' gun oil on the exterior surfaces.

 

[socalbeachbum]

well, bad news. Hoppes #9 softened and left marks behind in the previously unblemished areas on my new Ruger 10/22 receiver.

I did not let the Hoppes sit long, just wiped down the tested area then wiped it away, and it marred the finish.

I have powdercoated pieces on my FJ Cruiser and the powercoat gets easily blemished, and I think powdercoat is rather porous and prone to chemical attack

 

[dvdcrr]

Look for cleaners which will remove plastic shotgun wad fouling and keep such products away from synthetic stocks, and finishes.

Watch out for powderblast and gun scrubber which are ok on bare metal
Clp seems pretty safe along with hoppes and outers

 

[claiborne]

Very rarely do I use brake/carb cleaner to clean blued steel; only when the firearm is very grungy. Otherwise the only aerosole spray I use on my guns is Rem oil.

 

[taliv]

sounds like you've got a good excuse to paint it yourself. do something interesting.

 

[tcj]

+1 on the Ballistol...I use it on all of my firearms and so far it has not damaged any finish or stock.

May not be the strongest cleaner but it seems to be about the least damaging and isn't supposed to be hard on your skin, wood, etc.

 

[socalbeachbum]

good idea taliv, maybe a rattle can camo job