I have had no problem with Chore Boy pads falling apart. I have one pad I have used for years, still works. Regarding a "solvent" for rust, about anything works with the pad - bore cleaner, light machine oil, kerosene, motor oil, etc. - whatever is handy. I have on occasion used brass bore brushes instead of Chore Boy pads for rust removal. Shotgun bore brushes work well, as do .45 brushes. Smaller brushes are harder to hang onto.