Brake Cleaner on my Gun

[Aaryq]

Howdy Folks,
I've heard people talking about brake cleaner on their guns. I heard some gunstore scuttlebutt from a kind gentleman the other day about how Brake Cleaner will strip the bluing on my gun but I've heard you guys talk about using brake cleaner on your guns. I have some that I used to assist with getting the Cosmoline off of some mags that I ordered and there's plenty left. Should I use it?

 

[VHinch]

You know the "Gun Scrubber" cleaner that Wal Mart carries? Compare it's ingredients to brake and carb cleaner. They're the same thing, just packaged differently and at a lower price. Keep the brake cleaner away from plastic, as it will eat it, but it's safe for bluing. Just remember that it is a degreaser, so it will remove any lube on the weapon as well.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

What VHinch said +1.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Brake cleaner; Gun Scrubber, etc...

Aaryq--You also want to keep brake cleaner OR Gun Scrubber, completely away from any wood finishes. Some, they will not affect. Some, they will. You don't want the beautiful stock on yr rifle for a "test case!"

As a degreaser they are [Tony the Tiger voice] GRRRRRR-eat![/Tony the Tiger voice]

Something else these products are not good for: You! As a degreaser, these products will remove all the oils from yr skin, and dry and crack it. So don't get it on yrself when using. And hand cream is a good idea afterwards.

Breathing the fumes of these sprays is likewise not good for you. Best way to use is outdoors; second best is in a well-ventilated area, vented to the outside. However, using outdoors in really cold weather could lead to frostbite; another good reason not to spray yrself.

But metals and AFAIK any metal finish except ordinary paint, they are fine on.

And a big +1 on gotta re-oil after using.

 

[DJAteOhAte]

I use non-chlorinated brake cleaner to clean my guns all the time.

 

[Aaryq]

What about industrial grade alcohol? It dries things out as well...would that work?

 

[bogie]

Just use brake cleaner, outside.

Some of the best gunsmiths I know use it. I tend to imitate success.

 

[TexasRifleman]

I have an all blued Delta Elite that I shoot in IPSC matches. This gun has had literally tens of thousands of rounds through it.

I have used brake cleaner on this thing since the mid 1980's lol.

The only wearing of the blue is from my Ernie Hill leather. (that shows my age huh?)

 

[brickeyee]

Gun Scrubber originally was formulated with 1,1,1-trichloroethane.
The Montreal Protocol eliminated it as a cause of ozone depletion.
The OSHA limit is 350 ppm.

Trichloroethylene was used as a substitute; despite it being more hazardous for exposure with a limit of only 100 ppm).

Chlorinated solvents are well known to have affects on aluminum (if you try and use 1,1,1 as a cutting fluid for aluminum the chips can actually ‘burn’).

There are non-chlorinated brake cleaners available, many use ether or alcohol.

None of these chemicals attack bluing on steel firearms.

Use any of them outside.

 

[Homerboy]

Remignton makes a degreaser that is better for you. When I see a product that says "This causes cancer", I tend to avoid it. The Remington degreaser is labeled as being non-carcinogenic, and it degreases just as well. I still wouldn't spray it on my pancakes, and I still use it outdoors, though.

 

[WayneConrad]

I still wouldn't spray it on my pancakes

 

[MD_Willington]

Just watch your finish on paint over phos... the paint tend to disappear, like on the Arsenal rifles... On a Saiga it makes a lovely purplish color... Yep I sprayed it on my Saiga.. LOL

 

[mljdeckard]

On a cosmo-covered SKS, no problem. Get two cans. On a rifle with a REAL finish, which might be worth REAL money, EEEK.

 

[just carl]

I use brake cleaners, engine degreasers, WD-40, Circuit board cleaners, rubbing Alcohol and just about anything else to clean my guns. Been doing that for about 40 or 50 years now. I take the handles off and just use whatever is handy. I've never used a wire type brush yet. Lately when not using a gun for a while I blast the insides with spray grease. Almost all the items I use are from the auto section at Walmart.

 

[Lupinus]

Better is throttle body specific cleaner, it isn't as harsh on plastic as brake or carb cleaner. Hoppes makes a cun scrubber that (IIRC, been awhile) doesn't have a ridicules high price.

Considering carb/brake/throttle body cleaners kill wasps and hornets better then wasp and hornet sprays I try to limit my exposer to the stuff.