How Not To Clean A Gun

Status
Not open for further replies.
Reloadron

Reloadron

Contributing Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2012
Messages
9,378
Location
Cleveland, Ohio USA
Every now and then I like to give the guns I shoot more a complete and through cleaning. I always take the time to remove the grips on my 1911 guns. For reasons I don't understand I omitted that step on this gun and sprayed the gun down washing it out with Break Free Powder Blast. Ever read the small print on a can of Break Free Powder Blast? I have but discounted what it says, the part about...

IMPORTANT: This product is a powerful solvent. DO NOT APPLY TO RUBBER OR PLASTIC GRIPS OR PARTS (yes in bold and capitalized print.

Here are a few before and after shots of the gun I cleaned.

Colt%20Govt%20Series%2080.png

After I managed to spray solvent on the nice coated wood grips:

Grips%201.png

Grips%202.png

I still can't believe I did that, knowing damn well what would happen. My realization of what I had just done was followed by one of those gut sinking feelings as I looked at what I did.

New grips are on order and I'll finish stripping the old grips, maybe a new tung oil finish. Still can't believe I was that stupid. I figured I would share this so those of you who use any strong solvents to wash out a gun can see what might happen. While this obviously has no effect on the guns ability to shoot it sure turned it ugly real quick. :)

Ron
 
Awwww man!! Beautiful gun...hate to see that..

Sorry bout your gun, but It is a little reassuring (dont know if that's the word Im looking for) to see that even the pros around here make mistakes too:)
 
I attribute it to a simple case of cranial rectal inversion or simply having one's head up one's butt. Not like I never cleaned a gun before. :)

Ron
 
I managed to take most all the factory rubbery coating off a 10/22 receiver the same way... it looks better in OD green anyways...
 
Not with guns..but

We all have had those "what was I thinking moments"

Mine came with a $800 turntable cartridge that I waited for 6 weeks to get from Japan. I mounted it and one of the wires (they have 4 where they connect to the tonearm) came loose as they are thin like a hair. so what did I do ?

Instead of removing the pin connector and soldering the wire back on (so the connector could slide on the cart)...I did it while still ATTACHED to the $800 cartridge.

Long story short, heat travels and toasted the delicate insides...$800 down the tubes and NO possible way to fix. Toast. The moral ? Always wear pants when soldering and think twice, clean once :D

Dang you blue wire !!!!

391744_542339649114835_1434093301_n.jpg
 
Many solvents are bad for wood finishes. Gotta agree with you assessment. (a simple case of cranial rectal inversion) It happens.

one of those gut sinking feelings as I looked at what I did.
Click to expand...
I know that one well. :eek:
 
Ron ...Not sure you had to reorder

If I am correct, all you removed was the varnish/poly type finish. The wood should be fine. If you completely remove the varnish, you can recoat the grips quiet easily...

Just a thought...

EDIT : Sorry ...just looked again. They are NOT wood are they ? Crikey...That sucks...
 
ohbythebay said:
If I am correct, all you removed was the varnish/poly type finish. The wood should be fine. If you completely remove the varnish, you can recoat the grips quiet easily...

Just a thought...

EDIT : Sorry ...just looked again. They are NOT wood are they ? Crikey...That sucks...
Click to expand...

On the bright side I should have some original Colt grips here tomorrow. On the not so bright side they aren't the same design. Oh well. As I wander gun shows aimlessly I'll just keep an eye out for a set like the ones I managed to destroy. Hey, actually I only need a left side grip, the right side didn't get any cleaner on it. :)

Originally I assumed wood but now that you mention it I don't think so. Well, it will have wood real soon. :)

Ron
 
Powerful solvents are not the only hazard to a gun's finish. Vinegar removes bluing. Mayonnaise contains vinegar. One drip from a sandwich...voice of experience here.

I feel your pain.

One of the best pieces of advice I have ever been given is, "If you think you might laugh about it someday, you may as well go ahead and laugh about it now."

Hope it helps.
 
Last edited:
Anyone else shed a sympathy tear? Just me? Okay...

I don't have much wood furniture on my firearms but I made sure that my cleaner works across finishes and material. My preferred cleaner actually cleans and polishes wood, so that is a win.
 
Ron, I feel for you but...............

Gut wrenching is when you are a Sophomore and total a pick-up and have to call Dad and tell him. That my friend is a kick below the belt.

In all seriousness, the pistol is a beauty and will be even more with a new bra! JMHO
 
Still can't believe I was that stupid.
Click to expand...
You shoot a colt....enough said.

it is sad you messed up the finish, but most wood is very forgiving. use denatured to clean the wood of solvents and refinish with tung oil and the use a poly to seal it and you should be good to go.
 
one of those gut sinking feelings as I looked at what I did.
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear that. I too know the feeling well. I have a habit of using too much torque on bolts and forget just how strong I can be (with the right leverage). Destroyed a PA scope base the other day by searing the bolt. Oh well.... was thinking about the QD mounts, that just made the decision easy (even if I wasnt stoked about spending $75 on it).
 
I over torqued the action screw that goes thru the trigger guard. The head of the screw pulled thru the plastic trigger guard and left the back of the action loose. The rifle was a Marlin X7 heavy barrel in .22-250. It's not one of my more expensive rifles but I don't enjoy the idea of sending Numrich $30 for my stupidity. Oh well, it's an easy fix.:eek:
 
I was cleaning my Sig P238 last night with Birchwood Casey Gun Scrubber, that says its synthetic safe on the can, sprayed some on my white dot sights, and the paint melted and washed out :cuss:

Seems like all these gun cleaning products have the cleaning strength of molten lava or just distilled water. Nothing in between.
 
Last edited:
You shoot a colt....enough said.
Click to expand...

Wow..........

Sorry to see this, Ron :(

You can make them whole again. How do you feel about oil rubbed grips ? If they must be laquer shiny, thats also a fix, albeit less easy.

oil rubbed grips
Click to expand...

I know this sounds like an oxymoron of the foulest .... but oil/rosin rubbed wood is actually quite grippy.
 
Last edited:
I was cleaning my Sig P238 last night with Birchwood Casey Gun Scrubber, that says its synthetic safe on the can, sprayed some on my white dot sights, and the paint melted and washed out
Click to expand...

Easy fix- the night sights are great in the day , too. Sig makes fantastic tritium sights. sounds like you're being forced into an awesome upgrade.

"Honey, I brokeded my gun parts, and I needz new'ns...." Out comes the credit card !

Easy cheesy :D

Well, thats how it happens at my house, anyway.
 
ohbythebay said:
We all have had those "what was I thinking moments"

Mine came with a $800 turntable cartridge that I waited for 6 weeks to get from Japan. I mounted it and one of the wires (they have 4 where they connect to the tonearm) came loose as they are thin like a hair. so what did I do ?

Instead of removing the pin connector and soldering the wire back on (so the connector could slide on the cart)...I did it while still ATTACHED to the $800 cartridge.

Long story short, heat travels and toasted the delicate insides...$800 down the tubes and NO possible way to fix. Toast. The moral ? Always wear pants when soldering and think twice, clean once :D

Dang you blue wire !!!!

391744_542339649114835_1434093301_n.jpg
Click to expand...
Don't get what a 800.00 dollar audio cartridge has to do with guns? Didn't know there was one or someone would pay that much for one. Should have bought a gun. It would be still worth something. JMHO:rolleyes:
 
Im quite an over torquer myself, I figure if tight is good, then tighter must be great..tighten it til you hear something crack is my motto :banghead:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

L
  • Locked
Cleaning question
Replies
11
Views
799
dpote
dpote
H
  • Locked
Gloves to wear for gun cleaning.
2
Replies
47
Views
5K
Sam1911
S
stchman
  • Locked
Good substitute for Break Free Powder Blast.
Replies
6
Views
1K
DHJenkins
D
F
  • Locked
Gun cleaning chemicals
Replies
6
Views
323
Robert
Robert
M
  • Locked
Cleaning solvent
Replies
12
Views
1K
Dr.Rob
Dr.Rob
Back
Top