Polishing Rags and Gun Rugs

Been acquiring Smith revolvers, and I'm finding that the cheap Amazon bulk microfiber cloths I've been using are fine for my modern production automatic stuff, but are not good enough for these high polish blued guns and especially the nickel guns.

Had to flitz a nickel revolver to get some minor freckling out, and it's all but impossible to remove every trace of a swirl mark. My uncle has already harped on me enough about using surgically clean and dust free rags, and I keep my microfibers in an air tight container when not in use. He thought I should try some sort of ultra soft rag.

What do you guys use for rags, specifically for polishing nickel and other high gloss finishes?
What are you guys using for gun rugs as well? Ive had some super cheap rugs that have left swirl marks from a gun bouncing around in them.

I use old, 100% cotton undershirts.

I just inherited(?) some guns that were stored in those old vinyl gun rugs/bags. Yep, they had the predictably surface rust. It was a shame, but they cleaned up pretty good.

I also use old t-shirts that are nice and soft from wear and washing and keep an oil impregnated one hanging inside the door of my gun safe to wipe down any firearm I handle before putting it back in the safe.
My handguns sit in a Snap Safe handgun rack inside old wool socks cut to length which allows air to circulate around them.
All my firearms are shooters and though I handle them carefully over time they accumulate signs of holster and other wear.

FraggerCrue said:

I use old, 100% cotton undershirts.

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I use my wife beaters when they are no longer white.

I use old t-shirts too. Keep a silicone gun cloth in my safe that has been used for years so it has been impregnated by the Barricade oil I use on my guns. Everything gets wiped off after handling before I put them in the silicone gun socks I store them in. Been doing it this way for years and have never had an issue, even when I lived in Maine with very humid summers.

For nickel go to a music store that sells/rents band instruments like horns or trombone.

Nice instruments are nickel and they should have a polishing cloth for those.

I have been using that on my nickel 19 and works great.

I used to have a source for cotton diapers which worked well (after they got back from the laundry)...Nowadays I like my old worn out white socks......Ben

For cleaning of guns I use a fresh Costco yellow microfiber towel to put underneath the handgun as I am cleaning it. It catches any stray solvent spitting out or bronze bristles that may come off, it protects the gun's Bluing, Nickel or other finish, absorbs oils and solvents, can be used to wipe off heavy crud from the larger parts of the handgun and since I buy them in bulk cases directly from their warehouse, they cost me .38 cents each and I feel no guilt just tossing them after 1 - 2 uses.

For a range rag I use 100% white cotton flannel cut into 18" x 18" pieces. I use my favorite CLP, saturate the rag and store it inside a heavy duty zip lock bag. I routinely use one to wipe down a gun immediately after shooting it while it's still warm, That takes off much of the crud, unburned powder, soot and carbon before it has a chance to really stick on. I have clean oiled ones that I only use to do a quick wipe down of a freshly cleaned gun just prior to it being stored again. I buy the 100%white cotton flannel off a roll in a fabric store - about 5' x 20' at a time - that lasts me for many years and I even give a few 18" x 18" squares to my friends and shooting bud's. The reason I do not use microfiber rags for this purpose is that it collects, stores and attracts dirt and debris way to easily which in turn can scratch a gun easily!

PS: I use white flannel so I can easily see how much dirt and debris is on he rag and can easily know when it's time to replace with a new one. Darker colors contain dyes and are also less telling as to contamination degree. For cleaning the actual bore, barrels and cylinders I use Brownell's 100% cotton flannel patches. I buy them in bulk of 1,000 patches per bag and they are not to expensive.

Old t-shirts, they gradually absorb the hoppes 9 and Ballistol. Been using them for ages.

Valmet said:

Old t-shirts, they gradually absorb the hoppes 9 and Ballistol. Been using them for ages.

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Yes - old tee shirts will work well, except for one thing....... many of us (including myself) shoot quite a bit in competitions, matches, for fun, EDC practice etc. and my collection of tee shirts would never stand a chance of keeping up with the demand of how many rags and patches I go through.

chief38 said:

Yes - old tee shirts will work well, except for one thing....... many of us (including myself) shoot quite a bit in competitions, matches, for fun, EDC practice etc. and my collection of tee shirts would never stand a chance of keeping up with the demand of how many rags and patches I go through.

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You prob shoot more than I do but you’d be amazed at my stash of t-shirts

Micro Fiber is a synthetic material . I have a handful of well worn 100% cotton baby diapers . Wash and dry them and DO NOT use a dryer sheet or fabric softener . You won't find anything softer or more absorbent .

Linen kitchen towels. The linen is stiffer and more abrasive (not enough to scratch) than cotton and it holds just the right amount of 3in1 oil.

I second the baby diapers. Haven't had any in years though, so I use the store bought microfiber cloths.

100% cotton cloth diapers are still sold at Target.

As some are stating - diapers. Flannel shirt material also works well for me. I tend to use them till they wear holes in them.

Right now (and for the past few years) I've used a piece of material cut from an old pair of sweat pants. It is "wearing" thin though.

Warren Sear said:

100% cotton cloth diapers are still sold at Target.

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Target and I have opposing views concerning concealed carry......Ben

Target stores in my area have no problem with concealed carry, and they also figured out that men do not belong in the women's bathroom. I am fine with spending my money there.

djohns6 said:

Micro Fiber is a synthetic material . I have a handful of well worn 100% cotton baby diapers . Wash and dry them and DO NOT use a dryer sheet or fabric softener . You won't find anything softer or more absorbent .

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I buy the yellow microfiber Kirkland rags at Costco by the case when on sale directly from their warehouse - so yes I use a lot, but not really much for guns. I use them a a base to clean my pistols on rather than directly on the workbench's surface, however the one terrible trait microfiber has is that it picks up all kinds of dirt, debris, bristles, crud etc. that is why I like 100% cotton flannel for my gun cleaning and wipe downs.

As far as Cotton cloths, rags, etc. yes they are excellent however I personally choose not to wash them in the same machines that our clothing goes into. If one has a separate washing machine for rags with chemicals and oils on them, I could see that being a viable option. That said, between the cost of a dedicated washing machine, the water, laundry soap, dryer time and the expense to run & maintain them, I have a hard time justifying that. Oh - don't forget the space dedicated machines would take up.

I use my rags and microfiber progressively for dirtier purposes until they are shot. Example..... If I use them to clean glass and mirrors (with an alcohol based cleaner that evaporates) I will let them dry and use them again for something dirtier. If I use a few microfiber cloths to dry my car while detailing it, then yes I let them dry and reuse for another purpose - but never again to dry water off the paint or glass. Maybe on the wheels, black trim, in the shop, around the patio, etc. In other words I will not pull a brand new one out to use for an oil change unless I don't have a used one available.

My clean gun "wipe down" cotton flannel rags get used for a long while as they are not used on dirty guns - until I eventually replace them. Then they are still quite serviceable for use as a range rags to wipe down dirty guns before re-casing them at the range. I find a quick wipe down when he gun is still warm greatly reduces the effort t clean them hours later. When done as range rags, they get tossed.

When I do wear out a cotton tee shirt I will save it for use as a rag, but I buy fairly descent quality tee shirts and don't wear them out that fast. The worn T's wold never keep up with the demand - lol.

Lightly coat any soft cotton cloth with any gun oil; even the snake oil treatments may work. Gun rugs are fine for taking a gun to the range. I don't store guns in them but maybe it works okay. I've never seen a need for wax or polish on any gun.

Make it a simple process or a ritualistic procedure, but I've found the simple way works very well.