How Not To Clean A Gun

[Dr.Zubrato]

I actually kinda like the worn look better, call me crazy.
So many 1911's are safe queens, looks like that ones been loved so much you used the hell out of it.

Jesus, guys. Can we lay off each other for lending a sympathetic ear?
Not even the most pro gun of us talks about guns 24/7.
I didnt know turntables costed so much, and I thought it was interesting for broadening our diversity as gun owners.

 

[Potatohead]

^+1

 

[MistWolf]

...Not even the most pro gun of us talks about guns 24/7...

I suppose...I do spend about 8 hours of each day sleeping

 

[Reloadron]

On the bright side all fixed. I was out of town for a week down south for a sort of unexpected funeral and while gone my grips came in so when I got back today I put them on. While not identical to the grips I screwed up the gun looks good again.

Yeah, amazing what come cleaners will do to certain plastics or materials.

Ron

 

[Sol]

The exact reason I cringe everytime I hear/read somebody recommending brake and parts cleaner from the autoparts store to clean guns.

The tools I use and abuse, get covered in oil, gas and all sorts if other junk.

I spray them with brake cleaner and it eats the plastic right off of them.

Not condemning brake cleaner or other solvents for use in limited gun applications, like gas tubes and other uncoated metals.

 

[Reloadron]

While not the same design as the originals the grips I replaced with will have to do for now.



They do look better than the melted ones.

Ron

 

[Jaymo]

Carb cleaner, followed by brake cleaner is better for gas tubes than just brake cleaner.
Carb cleaner removes the carbon buildup better.
Brake cleaner removes the carb cleaner residue.

I use brake cleaner on stainless or blued guns, after completely stripping, when I want to remove all residues, so I can apply the oil/grease of my choice and have it stay in place better than when applied over powder solvent residue.

I know a guy who uses carb cleaner, exclusively, to clean his AR15-furniture and all.
He swears by it. I've never tried it. Carb and brake cleaners can damage many plastics. Polycarbonate and brake cleaner are not compatible.
Ever seen polycarbonate spiderweb and crumble like a stale cookie?
I have. Got some on an SB connector I was cleaning, years ago.
Only made that mistake once. Good thing it was a full maintenance customer. It didn't cost them anything.

 

[MistWolf]

While not the same design...They do look better than the melted ones.

Ron

I wholeheartedly agree!

 

[george burns]

You don't need anything that harsh to clean guns with in the first place. I just sold a gun today that I had for 20 years, and never used anything caustic on it, the gun looked brand new. If you just spray some clp and a toothbrush or cue tip, that's really all you need. Unless you are in Iraq. I have guns older than most people and they come clean with elbow grease and constant care.

 

[Arizona_Mike]

Powder Blast is essentially scented brake cleaner (Acetone, Toluene, and citrus oil). Just organic solvents, nothing caustic (or acidic for that matter). You need to be careful with plastic, wood, and even some finishes but it works great!

Mike

 

[Duff_McGruff]

I've experienced similar results with my camo dipped Beretta duck gun. Was spraying it down the barrel and some managed to leak through the gas ports and run down the underside on the outside of the barrel. The camo coating wrinkled up and flaked off in a few spots. Luckily I realized what was happening right away and got it stopped and most of the damage is covered when the forend is installed. Oh well - at least its just an ugly duck gun. It has and will see worse out in the mud and muck.

 

[mdThanatos]

I love that powder blast but yea, I made the mistake once of using it before taking off some grips. Only affected a corner on the inside but I was feeling quite special after that. Also over torqued a couple of bolts on a motorcycle crankcase cover before. Now that one I was shocked that they snapped in two pieces and felt quite proud of myself with my caveman strength, hated working on that bike anyway.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Guess I been lucky since all I have used is CLP and Hopps until I ran across Eds Red on the web 5 or so years ago.