Don't use Hoppes No.9 Aerosol on blued parts

[jjjjeremy]

Or any aerosol for that matter. I just learned the hard way.

I was cleaning some grit that formed an outline where scope mounts used to be on my rifle, and decided to squirt a little No.9 on the grit and let it soak in. The cold No.9 coming out of the aerosol can discolored the receiver. It's not in a completely obvious place, and I'm probably the only one who will know it's there, but it's annoying that it happened.

This was my first experience with Hoppes in an aerosol can, and I won't be buying it again. It would be nice if No.9 came in a squirt bottle, or dropper.

 

[AK103K]

Never used the aerosol version. I do buy the big bottles of Hoppes and pour them into the big spray/squirt bottles you get at Lowes, Walmart, etc. Works great.

 

[bannockburn]

I've never used the aerosol Hoppes either; just right out the bottle has always worked fine for me. Thanks for the heads-up.

 

[welldoya]

That's nice to know. I bought a can of aerosol Breakfree Powder Blast a few weeks ago. I've noticed how cold it is coming out of the can.
Hmm. Come to think of it, the Breakfree CLP is in aerosol too. Why isn't it cold ?

 

[reuben mishler]

To be honest, I only thought Hoppes was to be used for cleaning the inside of the barrel. Does it say somewhere on the outside of the can that you can use it for the exterior of a firearm?

 

[jjjjeremy]

I read the can after it happened, and didn't say anything about only using on the bore. I've used it all over my metal parts to clean off crud, especially inside the bolt.

 

[reuben mishler]

Hmm...well sorry to hear that happened. For the exterior of my firearms I have enjoyed using Rem Oil. It comes in an aerosol can and maintains the exterior from rust and crud probably similar to what you are speaking about. Never had anything happen after using it.

Any idea on what you are going to turn to since you most likely won't be using Hoppes in an aerosol anymore?

 

[AK103K]

To be honest, I only thought Hoppes was to be used for cleaning the inside of the barrel.

It can be used outside the bore without problems. It is a "solvent" and you do get residue outside to bore on most guns.

I use it to initially clean more or less the whole gun, inside and out to remove as much residue as possible, then follow it with wet patches of Gun Scrubber, and then Eezox.

Unlike some other things, Ive never found it to be a problem on anything, metal, wood or plastic. It will remove some paints, and I use it for that purpose on some guns Ive painted, but other than that, its usually never a problem.

 

[atblis]

It probably just removed all the oil. Try oiling everything.

 

[jjjjeremy]

Any idea on what you are going to turn to since you most likely won't be using Hoppes in an aerosol anymore?

I'll still be using Hoppes, just spraying it onto a patch, cloth, or toothbrush first.

It probably just removed all the oil. Try oiling everything.

Nope. It's definitely the bluing. There's a rainbow-like ring around the spot where I sprayed, and its lighter there.

 

[griff383]

If you do a search for "transfer pipette" you'll get a ton of sources for basically a disposable eye dropper. I just bought a box and now have enough to last a lifetime, nice thing is they arent too expensive either.

They are really nice for putting a couple drops directly on a patch. I dont have to worry about anything going where its not meant to.

 

[gdesloge]

Are there any additives in the aerosol version?

What rifle was this that discolored? Specifically, what type of metal was affected? And is it actually a blued fininsh?

Thanks,

gd

 

[jjjjeremy]

I don't see anything different in the aerosol version than the standard bottled version.

The receiver right next to the scope mount holes was discolored. The metal is steel. From what I know, it's a blued finish. I don't think it could be anything else.

 

[JColdIron]

I bought a can of aerosol Breakfree Powder Blast a few weeks ago. I've noticed how cold it is coming out of the can.
Hmm. Come to think of it, the Breakfree CLP is in aerosol too. Why isn't it cold ?

Probably what they chose as a propellant. Might be what they use in those "canned air" sprays for electronics. Those can freeze if you spray too much too fast.

 

[atblis]

Nope. It's definitely the bluing. There's a rainbow-like ring around the spot where I sprayed, and its lighter there.

Have you tried wiping the whole thing down with a protectant/lubricant?

 

[gdesloge]

Molecules cool as they are released from compression, and that is how an air conditioner operates. That is also why clouds form, because rising air cools as it is put under less atmospheric pressure.

The photo does show a discoloration, and I wonder if the cause is related to the cooling. This is interesting.

gd

 

[jjjjeremy]

Have you tried wiping the whole thing down with a protectant/lubricant?

Yep, I'm a compulsive oiler / wiper.

The photo does show a discoloration, and I wonder if the cause is related to the cooling. This is interesting.

I'm guessing that it's cooling, because around the discoloration is a rainbow-like ring, which looks just like the discoloration that happens when you harden something with a torch. I think the metal got really cold, and the oil/solvent mixture acted like a quenching oil.

Will this area be more susceptible to rust now?

 

[gdesloge]

It might be instructive for someone with an aerosol can to spray and cool a bit of bluing on a gun whose appearance isn't so important. I'd like to know the results.

I have heard that it is not recommended to spray anything directly on a gun (onto a rag first and then wipe the gun), and I always assumed that the reason was to protect the wood parts from overspray.

gd

 

[jjjjeremy]

After I install a sight that's coming in the mail, I'll try a keyboard cleaner on one of the plug screws i'll be taking out, compare it to the still-blued screw, and then try the hoppes on the other screw.

 

[jjjjeremy]

Here are a few better pictures:

Hoppes (Bushnell) is now in contact with me. I'm pretty pissed off about this. They just marred a 75 year old gun!

 

[Larry E]

Hoppe's #9 is as good a rust preventative on the exterior metal as it is on the bore, but I've never used any of the spray stuff. Hoppe's #9 on some 0000 steel wool will remove rust spots and protect the metal underneath.

I frequently use spray degreasers to remove gunk from the insides of rifles and handguns, everything from brake cleaner to gun specific degreasers and have never had any discoloration or other problems with it.