Will rubbing alcohol hurt bright blue or nickel?

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Stopsign32v

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I'm wanting to clean a revolvers exterior of oil before Renaissance waxing it. Will rubbing alcohol with a soft rag do ok or will it hurt the finish?
 
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I've used common rubbing alcohol with no problems. Also works good is non carbonated brake parts cleaner spray from the auto parts store. Always try a sample on a small out of the way place like under the stocks.
 
I've had great luck on just about all kinds of metal surfaces using rubbing alcohol and a tooth brush. Plus you don't have to worry about getting it on your skin or breathing the fumes.
 
arjay said:
I've had better luck with acetone than rubbing alcohol
Click to expand...
Acetone is what electronic repair men use to clean fittings of grease that need to be soldered. It works as well as anything I now of to remove grease and I've used it for years to clean the surface of firearms.
Jim
 
Brake cleaner contains acetone. It works very well. Just be careful about using it near finished wooden or plastic/rubber parts.

It (or any aerosol) works great for blowing the gunk out of hard to reach places, like the middle of the cylinder or semi-autos. Its great for cleaning revolver internals without doing a full disassembly, just pop the sideplate and spray down!

Remember to oil/grease thoroughly afterwards, as brake cleaner is a degreaser, and will live your firearm completely dry.
 
I have a choice between 99%, 70%, and 50% isopropyl alcohol

What would be the best?
 
It is the relationship between alcohol and water. I use 70% which is less expensive. One of its many uses is to remove oils.

I apply it using a large rifle patch, being as careful as possible not to allow the alcohol in to the internal parts of my firearms, and then remove any excess/dry it off with a clean soft cotton t-shirt.

Then the firearm is ready for Renaissance Wax.

I did receive a word of caution from Springfield Armory regarding the consideration that the alcohol will concurrently remove the oils from the metal which confirms my decision to use the "Brylcreme Method" with the alcohol - use as little as possible. There are other special coatings on modern firearms, i.e. Cerakote.

I recently bought one of the Springfield Armory 1911s (FBI HRT specifications) that has a special finish.
 
We used to clean computer storage disk platters and read write heads with 99% isopropyl.

Might be good with a little orange juice too.
 
quinn said:
I've used common rubbing alcohol with no problems. Also works good is non carbonated brake parts cleaner spray from the auto parts store. Always try a sample on a small out of the way place like under the stocks.
Click to expand...

I Think The Term IS .. NON-CHLORINATED ... NOT .. CARBONATED .. We ARE Talking Brake Parts Cleaner & Not Soda ..
Like Coke-A-Cola..

NOTE TO : 4barrel .. I Drink My Whiskey With Coke ... Cause I Don't Want to RUST MY PIPES .. LOL .. & I Would DEFINITELY USE 99% Rubbing Alcohol as it Dries UP & Dissipates WATER...

But That IS Just My Opinion .. & You Know What They Say About OPINIONS ... LOL ...

HAVE A GREAT DAY GENTLEMAN ... COWBOYUP57..
 
Rubbing alcohol & water dont mix. Whisky & water does.

Make mine branch water please....

Oh the rubbing alcohol works fine, and I have used lighter fluid to clean stainless and nickle also. Of course wipe dry, and the apply Rem-Oil..
 
silentflyer said:
Rubbing alcohol & water dont mix. Whisky & water does.

Make mine branch water please....

Oh the rubbing alcohol works fine, and I have used lighter fluid to clean stainless and nickle also. Of course wipe dry, and the apply Rem-Oil..
Click to expand...

Well AT Least You Will Have Some Whiskey IN That Ground Water..
To Kill The Bugs ... Must Be A J.R. Ewing Fan..
"MAKE MINE BOURBON & BRANCH DARLIN"

COWBOYUP57...
 
I have always used rubbing alcohol to clean my guns before I use the Renaissance Wax......what i use is the 99%......just because I acquired a 5 gallon bucket of it.......and yes, it is the percentage of alcohol to water......I have used it on all finishes, with no apparent issues.....it removes any and all oils...

Semper FI!
 
italiansport said:
Acetone is what electronic repair men use to clean fittings of grease that need to be soldered. It works as well as anything I now of to remove grease and I've used it for years to clean the surface of firearms.
Jim
Click to expand...

Acetone will melt most plastics, and wood finishes, be careful.
 
Alcohol attacks and absorbs water.

Isopropyl rubbing alcohols contain from 50% to 99% by volume of isopropyl alcohol, the remainder consisting of water. I would not recommend using it on blued steel.
 
TAC said:
Alcohol attacks and absorbs water.

Isopropyl rubbing alcohols contain from 50% to 99% by volume of isopropyl alcohol, the remainder consisting of water. I would not recommend using it on blued steel.
Click to expand...

So you wouldn't recommend 99% due to 1% of water content?
 
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