brake cleaner?

[wishin]

Neither.

 

[nerfsrule2]

After 45 years as a Master Marine and Industrial Diesel Mechanic I have determined that "brake cleaner" is for cleaning brake parts and gun cleaning products are for cleaning guns.

Thank you for this post... DS

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I don't think the brake cleaner knows the difference between gun metal and brake parts. I use it freely and re-lube as needed.

 

[allenwrench]

Neither. But they make good self defense sprays in a pinch.

 

[GRIZ22]

I use actual gun cleaning products on my guns.

CRC in the red can (chlorinated?) is the same stuff as Gunscrubber.

It will eat plastic, except Glocks. Went to a Glock seminar where they recommended Gunscrubber.

 

[jwsturr]

None. Some brake cleaners contain acetone. I wouldn't use any of them on any guns. I would only use gun cleaners if I was you.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Hmmm I wonder how we managed to clean and maintain our guns before "gun specific" cleaners and lube? Awful lot of older guns out there that never saw a "gun specific" product.

 

[solvability]

Keep both out of your eyes - dangerous stuff.

I do use it to degrease parts - particularly old parts - not for routine use.

 

[atblis]

Guns are stupid machines, not much different than cars. Brake cleaner works just fine. Yeah, keep it away from plastics, wood, paint, etc.

I mean really, if you have a chunk of metal that you want to blast all the oil, grease, grime, and grit off of it, brake cleaner works great.

None. Some brake cleaners contain acetone. I wouldn't use any of them on any guns. I would only use gun cleaners if I was you.

Acetone. Really? You think that's scary stuff?

 

[jwsturr]

"Yeah, keep it away from plastics, wood, paint, etc."

Hmmm what are guns made of...

 

[jimmyraythomason]

^^^uh....steel?

 

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

Guys, it's not a big deal.

Either the stuff works, or it doesn't.

The big difference between brake cleaner (non-chlorinated) and action cleaners is the brake cleaners have acetone or another ketone and alcohols (methanol, etc). These will suck some water out of the air if you don't use other good stuff afterword. Also, the stuff that ends in 'tone' is more likely to strip off a finish (nail polish remover has these).
So, you gotta be careful during and after use. Works for me, though.

I wasn't aware that a novel was supplied with each can.

 

[jwsturr]

Right tool for the job...

Brake cleaner=brakes

Gun Cleaner=guns

There are different formulas of brake cleaners. You use brake cleaner I'll stick with gun cleaners. What's the advantage of using brake cleaners?

 

[EddieNFL]

What's the advantage of using brake cleaners?

Only difference is price and the label on the can.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Brake cleaner is MUCH cheaper than gunscrubber. It does the same job and it can be found at autoparts stores as well as the big box stores.

 

[jwsturr]

Tetra Gun Action Blaster Gun Cleaner-Degreaser 12 oz Aerosol
$5.99 at Midway

CRC / 14 oz. Brakleen Non-Chlorinated brake parts cleaner
$3.79 at Autozone.

If I had a $2000 competition AR-15 or a $5000 Beretta trap gun, "if" I had one, I don't think I would use something that may or may not hurt plastic or wood. You're not saving that much money.

 

[warnerwh]

I use DOT 4 for my truck and motorcycle. Brake cleaner may be cheap but gun cleaners aren't exactly expensive.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Why would you pay the difference when they are essentially the same thing.

 

[dagger dog]

I'm a 30 yr plus auto mechanic, and have about 1/2 of my brain cells left, the rest have been eroded by 30 + years of breathing chlorinated brake cleaners.

There is a big difference in evaporation time between the two listed ,the non taking longer and also not stripping the oils and grease as fast as the chlor types, also the non chlorinated can be toulene which produces as harmful vapors as the other.

It depends on the type of plastic, either type solvent can damage some plastics, but most plastics used in modern firearms are designed not to be affected by either type of solvent.

In my opinion the chlorinated types disolve and remove oil and grease faster, the lubricant being dispersed and carried off in the liquid solvent and the pressure created by the aerosol ,(compressed air?).

 

[jwsturr]

It's not the same thing. Go to your local auto parts place and check out the brake cleaners. Each brand has a different formula. If anybody here wants to save money, there are other ways to do it. Like not buying another gun, not going to range, etc... $1.20 is not going to break me. All I'm saying is I'm not going to use brake cleaner on anything else but brakes. And nobody would convice me otherwise. If anybody here wants to use it, go right ahead.

 

[THE DARK KNIGHT]

I clean my 2 Saiga rifles and a 1911 with Brake Cleaner exclusively, and lube with Break Free CLP. All these fancy cleaners are just a ripoff IMO. Metal is metal for the most part. Haven't had a problem yet. And the plastic on the one rifle is fine.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

The only thing better than brake cleaner for degreasing guns is hot soapy water. I use both and also use WD-40 to a great extent. The results are always good. It doesn't have to say "GUN" in the name of the product for it to be good.

 

[jwsturr]

Evian spring water=$6.40 per gallon plus cost of soap...

Jimmy I'll agree to disagree...

 

[jimmyraythomason]

jwsturr,good enough.

 

[Cranky CJ]

This is like an oil thread on a motorcycle forum.....