Gun Scrubber, Engine Degreaser and Carb. Cleaner all the same?

[sthrnstrong]

I have never tried GumOut or anything else but bore cleaners. It maybe a dumb question but what are thoughts using GumOut or WD-40 to clean my SRH .454 with the grey matte finish? It gets pretty good carbon rings when firing 45 colts. Will these other cleaners be safe on the matte finish?

 

[jimmyraythomason]

WD-40 will do a very good job cleaning and wont harm the matte finish. I've never used Gumout except as a gasoline treatment to clean injectors.

 

[GRIZ22]

Sorry, but I've got to call BS on Brake Cleaners & Guns.

Sure I've done it, but outside and had to have one Glock re-Tenifered (sp) due to the extreme chemicals leaving a dull finish.



I'm not sure of what brake cleaner you used but CRC in the red can is the same as Gunscrubber (tetrachloroethylene 127-14-?). I went to a seminar sponsored by Glock and they recommended Gunscrubber. You didn't damage the tenifer which is harder than an industrial diamond. Tenifer is silver and is covered by a blackening which will wear and will be made dull by Gunscrubber due to the fact it removes ALL lubricant. Wipe the slide down with Breakfree and the blackening will look like new.

 

[ScottC]

I clean my weapons at the range and use, believe it or not, rubbing alcohol. Years ago, I started using Sentry Solutions and they recommended alcohol cause it evaporates and leaves no residue after cleaning. If you wait a while, I could see that it could be bad. I had a buddy of mine that had a Recon 45 and Gun Scrubber took the lettering right off of the slide of the gun!

 

[ScottC]

WD-40 is flammable. Just don't forget to get it all off your weapon. Personally I wouldn't use it but to each his own.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

WD-40 is flammable. Just don't forget to get it all off your weapon. Personally I wouldn't use it but to each his own.

Have you ever seen a gun or anything else ignite because it had WD-40 on it?

 

[JNewell]

I use brake cleaner a lot because it's cheap, but I have also found that GunScrubber does a much, much better job on gas-operated shotgun pistons and related parts. It cuts the crud a lot more effectively.

 

[JNewell]

I wouldn't use WD-40 on the inside of a gun unless I flushed it all out, but I have been using it on the outside of guns for more than 40 years and have never had even distant early warning of a problem with wiping down exterior surfaces using a cloth with WD-40 on it.

 

[Chas.]

WD-40 is flammable. Just don't forget to get it all off your weapon. Personally I wouldn't use it but to each his own.

WD-40 used to use propane as a propellant and yes, it was flamable. It's my understanding, although I haven't tried it, that the propellant was changed to a non-flammable.

 

[geigersd]

I would use brake cleaner vs. carb cleaner due to the effect on plastic parts, if I had a gun that contained plastic

My method is more traditional though. A bottle of Hoppes #9 and a toothbrush. It's like taking a shower with your sweetheart, lovingly cleaning all the parts by hand.....

 

[ScottC]

WD-40

I just looked at a can today. The first warning of many is 'Contents are flammable'. I have heard of people using Simply Green to clean weapons but it takes everything off and is almost as expensive as most traditional cleaners.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

The first warning of many is 'Contents are flammable'.

Yes it is and so is Birchwood Casey's Gun Scrubber,from the MSDS,<2. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
EMERGENCY OVERVIEW: Warning! Flammable. May be harmful if swallowed. Keep away from sparks and open flames. Containers involved in fire may explode. Irritating to eyes, skin, upper respiratory tract.>

Simply Green to clean weapons but it takes everything off

If by "everything" you mean all lubrication,yes it does just like every other degreaser.

 

[ScottC]

Hoppes #9 and a toothbrush

Nothing wrong with that, just make such it's not your toothbrush, otherwise that

shower with your sweetheart

probably won't be happening.

On a serious note though, I use a brush much like you're talking about but mine is made for it by Kleen Bore. The main advantage is that it has a smaller single row of bristles on the other side to get into those pesky rails on my Glock 22 then finish it off with a Q-tip.

 

[JNewell]

I just looked at a can today. The first warning of many is 'Contents are flammable'. I have heard of people using Simply Green to clean weapons but it takes everything off and is almost as expensive as most traditional cleaners.

The formulation may have changed, or there may be versions for which this isn't true, but the original Simple Green was evil stuff for aluminum and should never be used to clean components like aluminum frames, receivers or trigger guards.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

but the original Simple Green was evil stuff for aluminum

I used Simple Green from the mid 1980s until I retired in 2009 to clean aluminum and copper refrigeration coils and A/C condensors and evaporators. Never harmed them or belts or hoses or electrical components. It is a very good cleaner for such things. I don't use it on firearms because it costs more than brakekleen. I do use it on my truck's aluminum wheels though.

 

[JNewell]

The US Army and Air Force have issued repeated prohibitions over the years against using Simple Green on aircraft. Here's a sample link: https://www.logsa.army.mil/psmag/archives/PS2000/573/573-35.pdf It says, in part:

It is highly corrosive on aircraft aluminum. It also makes high-strength aircraft alloys brittle. If your unit is using SIMPLE GREEN as an aircraft wash, STOP!

I have personally seen a SIG P226 frame damaged by Simple Green.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I'll be sure not to use it on any aircraft but will continue to use it on my wheels and A/C condensors.

 

[JNewell]

It gets better Check this link: http://www.simplegreen.com/solutions_faqs.php?search_query=aluminum

I would not use it to clean a gun without a very thorough rinse, and I would strongly urge not soaking aluminum parts in it, as mentioned. It can damage or remove the anodizing on aluminum if left in a strong SG solution, which will also remove the hard surface coating that protects against wear.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Or how about this one instead <http://www.simplegreen.com/pdfs/08A_msds_pwc_multi-purpose.pdf>

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I don't use it on guns either but not because it is harmful to the gun. There are dozens of Simple Green cleaning products for specific applications. Use a general purpose or multi-purpose (properly diluted per instructions) by SG with confidence. Use it or don't,it's up to you.

 

[One-Time]

Non/Un-chlorinated Brake Cleaner works great, just make sure you relube appropriately as it of course de lubes the rifle/gun

 

[Drail]

We seem to have some real chemical junkies here. I have cleaned hundreds of firearms for at least 25 years with nothing but a bottle of non aerosol Breakfree CLP and an M 16 brush. You guys are overthinking this. You don't need all that aerosol stuff.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

You don't need all that aerosol stuff.

I personally use brakekleen or odorless mineral spirits for cleaning. I will also use hot soapy water. I have also used a LOT of different cleaner/degreasers for many different jobs over the last 40 years. With few exceptions they have all been safe and effective. I do avoid cleaners containing lye or alkaline or any acids.

 

[ScottC]

Like I said before, the only thing I have ever used is straight rubbing alcohol. Yes it is flammable but I let my weapon cool down, if it ever gets hot. I then leave the parts disassembled until they dry. I then finish off with Sentry Solutions. I started using it when I was in Desert Storm and will use it till I die or the plant that makes it falls down!

I have a Glock that has over 70,000 rounds through it and have never had to replace anything. I have replaced the springs twice but only cause it is a carry weapon.

I could actually just blow the gun out after shooting and not worry about any fouling or powder. However, you never know when the next time that you will actually need a weapon, so I clean mine every time.

There are plenty ways to get to the LZ, I just like mine!

 

[jimmyraythomason]

There are plenty ways to get to the LZ, I just like mine!

And that's just how it SHOULD be.