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Old 07-01-2020, 05:09 PM
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Default Cleaning clothes

What is a good cleaning cloth to shine up my revolvers and how often should these clothes be used?

Thank you,

Doug
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Old 07-01-2020, 05:39 PM
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Old cotton underwear works well as do old diapers[those before disposable came in to being - you have to be an 'ole fart to understand].
Use dry or add spray silicone to wipe down.
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Old 07-01-2020, 05:41 PM
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Old cotton underwear works well as do old diapers[those before disposable came in to being - you have to be an 'ole fart to understand].
Use dry or add spray silicone to wipe down.
Not the padded ones, but the single ply are awesome...My oldest is 43 and I still have a couple of his around.
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Old 07-01-2020, 05:43 PM
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AHA
You meant cleaning cloths!
I like using old flannel shirts, the diaper suggestion was spot on as well.
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Old 07-01-2020, 05:58 PM
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I presume you are wiping down to protect the metal. Kelloggs professional products Sandusky, Ohio. Pure silicone #110 or 105. If you find it not marked with a number, it is #110. I called the company. Next get a 8" sq piece of REAL lambswool 1/2" pile or so, treat it with the silicone, rub it into the wool. Wipe gun down. Retreat lambswool every so often.

Why lambswool? Because the treated wool fibers get into crevices a cloth will not go like screw slots.

Been using this product and method since 1968. Never a freckle or spot of rust
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Old 07-01-2020, 06:18 PM
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I just put a couple of drops of gun oil on a patch, wipe the gun down, then wipe off with a dry rag.
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Old 07-01-2020, 07:11 PM
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I only use 100% Cotton Flannel cloth lightly sprinkled with my favorite gun oil. I buy the flannel from a fabric store by the yard.
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Old 07-01-2020, 07:12 PM
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cotton t-shirts... lil rem-oil
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Old 07-01-2020, 07:26 PM
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I use old t shirts or shop cloths for cleanup, microfiber/Rem oil or silicone cloth to wipe down.
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Old 07-01-2020, 07:33 PM
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I like those yellow flannel dusting cloths with the red hemmed edges. WM used to have them. Spray a little Ballistol on it and you’re GTG.
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Old 07-01-2020, 09:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Narragansett View Post
I presume you are wiping down to protect the metal. Kelloggs professional products Sandusky, Ohio. Pure silicone #110 or 105. If you find it not marked with a number, it is #110. I called the company. Next get a 8" sq piece of REAL lambswool 1/2" pile or so, treat it with the silicone, rub it into the wool. Wipe gun down. Retreat lambswool every so often.

Why lambswool? Because the treated wool fibers get into crevices a cloth will not go like screw slots.

Been using this product and method since 1968. Never a freckle or spot of rust
Brownells has "Rusty's rags sheepskin cleaning cloth" #100-004-995, it is a strip of fleece on sheepskin, about 8" x 4". Just add silicone.
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Old 07-02-2020, 12:02 AM
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I guess I wasn't clear.

I have no interest in cotton shirts, diapers, sanitary pads or things along those lines.

I was asking about products like "sunshine Polishing cloths"

Lastly, can products like these be used as much as you like or should you use them on once in a while basis.

Thanks

Doug
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Old 07-02-2020, 12:59 AM
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1. Once and awhile basis. Anything that "polishes" will eventually polish thru the bluing.

Some prefer polishing compound on a soft cloth, like Semichrome, Flitz, Mothers Mag Wheel polish, etc. But again, not every cleaning or too often.

2. For pre-cleaning, I use a soft oily rag first to get powder fouling and fingerprint salts off. Then wipe dry with plain cloth and put gun away.

3. Or for longer storage periods between shooting, add a layer of silicone with a silicone cloth and put gun away. You can use silicone cloths after a shooting session for quick clean up. But they'll get dirty very quickly, then your just rubbing crud on the bluing.

4. After the above, and before taking photos, wipe down with a thin piece of suede. It will take off every smudge of oil, fingerprint or whatever like it just came off the factory final soft buffing wheel.

5. For many gun owners, the final step is Renaissance Wax for a gun that's never shot, long term storage, or before a photo session. This will prevent fingerprints when handled (with clean hands). Also soft cotton gloves is the only way to handle new guns, like new guns, highly collectible models, or all guns. I have two pair in my safe: one pr for me and one pr for whoever I'm showing off my guns to.
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Old 07-02-2020, 07:51 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 505Gibbs View Post
Old cotton underwear works well as do old diapers[those before disposable came in to being - you have to be an 'ole fart to understand].
Use dry or add spray silicone to wipe down.
silicone is known to contaminate + harm wood finishes - wax is better + will cause no problems -
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Old 07-02-2020, 08:03 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dougaz View Post
I guess I wasn't clear.

I have no interest in cotton shirts, diapers, sanitary pads or things along those lines.

I was asking about products like "sunshine Polishing cloths"

Lastly, can products like these be used as much as you like or should you use them on once in a while basis.

Thanks

Doug

Why the need to BUY a special Sunshine Cloth? Guns are not jewelry,


If those cloths contain and type of polish or chemical, then you need to be careful on blued guns. Stainless not so much,


A microfiber cloth with some oil or Flitz (once and a while) works well.
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Old 07-02-2020, 08:33 AM
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I know it's not what most want to hear, but I've been wiping my guns with my undershirts for 70 years. If they are dirty, first I clean them with Hoppes#9 (yup still) and THEN I wipe them with my undershirt. They've held up very well...... certainly much better than me.
I used to be anal till I just got tired of it........... :-))))
IMHO of course,
J.
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Old 07-02-2020, 09:24 AM
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Now that you know what to use let me tell you what you never should use. Never use synthetics or acetates which are unfortunately the most common of textiles. Many of the gun cleaning and surface treatment products have a solvent or vehicle that breaks down or dissolves these fabrics. Often it’s very minor at first and not noticeable but you can prove it by wiping a acetate cloth wetted in your bore solvent of choice across some glass. You will see the telltale film.

Rick
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Old 07-02-2020, 11:01 AM
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this was issued to me in 1989, SW 686.

back then, it was scuffed and had a dull not taken care of finish. Its dated 1981, so it had seen duty use well before me.

On my 4 days off between 1989 and 1993 I would sit in front of the tube and polish it with an old t-shirt, Flitz and some dry fire.

I bought it in 93 for $127 when we transitioned to Glocks. The grips were rough too and so I did my own BC refinish.

I parked this piece in 93 and maybe here and there wiped it down and clean out any dry lube, and in 2019 I took this pic. Still looks like when I put it away in 93.

it took alot of buffing to get it like this. I was not looking for a mirror shine, but it needed some cleaning up.



here is another piece that I bought from the Police Academy when they were traded in roughly 2009. It was the same series of revolvers from my agency, it appears some were transferred to the academy post 93. I use it as a competition piece and it has upteen billion cycles. I have never polished it but want to, just to lazy these days. I took it down to bead blast all the edges to reduce glare as I still use this well worn piece for comp. Just a comparison of what my actual duty weapon looked like when it was issued to me. This one is likely a tad worse.

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Old 07-02-2020, 12:40 PM
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Only the best for me. RIG Gun Grease. Easy to apply, protects stored guns forever!! Actually leaves a shine after that application.
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Old 07-02-2020, 12:53 PM
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Quote:
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silicone is known to contaminate + harm wood finishes - wax is better + will cause no problems -
The key here is PURE silicone. If it has certain additives, I agree. I have been using Kelloggs Professional Products since 1968, and never harmed a wood finish. If it is full of petroleum distillates and God only knows what else, I would agree
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Old 07-02-2020, 01:47 PM
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pure silicone contaminates wood finishes , metal , + painted surfaces - check the published chemical reports on it - ask any auto painter or wood refinishers about the ill effects of silicone -
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Old 07-02-2020, 01:50 PM
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The key here is PURE silicone. If it has certain additives, I agree. I have been using Kelloggs Professional Products since 1968, and never harmed a wood finish. If it is full of petroleum distillates and God only knows what else, I would agree
have you ever tried to refinish any wood that has been treated with pure silicone ? -
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Old 07-02-2020, 01:54 PM
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I have always used old cotton T-shirts tooth brushes to clean my guns since day one. Works great.
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Old 07-02-2020, 02:19 PM
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In specific response to the OP, I use a Hoppe’s silicone cloth (6 or 7 bucks last time I checked). I’ve only had about three of them over the course of nearly fifty years. They come in a ziplock type bag and stay in the safe. It’s the last thing to touch every firearm before it goes back in. So, as for how often, it’s every time the gun is handled.
Good shootin’,
Doug
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Old 07-02-2020, 02:33 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by robvious View Post
cotton t-shirts... lil rem-oil
The cotton T shirts are my go to . especially ones with markings I do not like. They are great.
Jim
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