Is it safe to use simple green to clean the airweights?
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JohnK
US Veteran
Simple Green
I used to use it years ago. It (straight) is an awesome degreaser, but can be VERY hard on a lot of stuff.
I used it once, on Volvo boat outdrives, and it removed the multi-layer paint on them. Color this experience EXPENSIVE.
General gun cleaning does not require that harsh a cleaning, I'd go with something else.
Another negative, it will positively, absolutely strip ALL vestiges of lube/oil. If you do not carefully re-lube, you will have rust aplenty.
I used to use it years ago. It (straight) is an awesome degreaser, but can be VERY hard on a lot of stuff.
I used it once, on Volvo boat outdrives, and it removed the multi-layer paint on them. Color this experience EXPENSIVE.
General gun cleaning does not require that harsh a cleaning, I'd go with something else.
Another negative, it will positively, absolutely strip ALL vestiges of lube/oil. If you do not carefully re-lube, you will have rust aplenty.
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If using Simple Green is a matter of convenience or cost, I think you can find pretty decent gun-specific cleaner/lubricant for not much more money or time spent. Not that the Airweights' finish is all that delicate, but it needs a little more TLC than polymer, I think.
Its not a price thing, I just like the smell and I like that its not toxic. Hoppes makes me dizzy and I feel sick when I smell it. I'm kind of a wimp when it comes to chemicals. Maybe Im better off just useing a dry bore snake and wiping it down with rem oil?
As for the rust issue, I have used it to clean my black powder revolver for years and I dont have a speck of rust on it. I also rince the parts in super hot water and dry with a blow dryer before I rub down with bore butter everywhere. Now I would not do that with my smith but it has worked well on the black powder.
So far the only cleaning I've done on the 642 is wipe off the powder fouling with a micro fiber cloth. but I've only put 50 rounds through it so far.
alde
Member
I have been using Hoppes Elite because my wife is sesitive to harsh chemicals. It works really well and I use it on my 642 with very good results. It has no harsh smell and is easy on the hands.
kshock
Member
You can use BreakFree as a cleanr and a lubricant and the smell is not an issue.
alaskavett
US Veteran
NO!!! This stuff is corrosive! It is not to be used on aircraft (Aluminum)or anything with dissimilar metals as it will cause corrosion! Kyle
Give MPro7 a try. it is biodegradable and has little or no odor. Feels more like soap than gun cleaner, but it works pretty well.
Sportsterguy
Member
I agree. Don' use it on a weapon! We used it for a short time on our HH-60J models and corrosion was forming on the rivets and inside on the deck plates. Not good!
Old Hoppes is still the best for the money for cleaning. Militec-1 lube and conditioner is the best for treating that metal IMO.
jessegpresley
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Hoppe's and Breakfree stink and aren't good to breathe. I don't know why people still use that stuff. Wait, I do. Because it's easy to find and people have been using them for decades and don't want to try something new.
Ballistol is as old as dirt but is not harmful to breathe. I also use M Pro-7 which doesn't smell at all, and lately Weapon Shield.
Ballistol is as old as dirt but is not harmful to breathe. I also use M Pro-7 which doesn't smell at all, and lately Weapon Shield.
dwhite53
Member
I read somewhere that Hoppes No.9 is the first smell of freedom.
Burning JP-4 is the second.
All the Best,
D. White
Burning JP-4 is the second.
All the Best,
D. White
Mr Pokeyman
US Veteran
Our dept switched to Gunzilla about a year ago and I think it is great. I ordered some from their website for my own guns. There are apparently no chemicals in it, its made from plants.
Don't use it, It's a high PH cleaner major corrosive.
Joe
Joe
JNewell
Member
Most Simple Green formulations will damage aluminum if not totally and completely rinsed out. I would not use it on aluminum. This is a matter of years and years knowledge and warning in the services.
JNewell
Member
I have personally observed a SIG P226 frame that was had the ano partially stripped and the frame damaged from Simple Green. I will personally verify that.
jessegpresley
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Maybe you guys could buy the Hoppe's air freshener for the scent, and Gunzilla/Mpro-7/Weapon Shield/Ballistol for effectiveness
They say scent is strongly tied to memory, so I don't doubt the deep bonds some people have with Hoppe's. I've only been shootin' 5 years so I don't have the same memories.
That's my choice because it's safe on nickel. And if you spill it on the table, rub it around before you wipe it up. You're helping to clean the house!
Simple Green? Actually I prefer to clean all of my guns with a
good strong salt water mix. Really dissolves the powder
fouling. Since they are so clean afterwards I don't have to
bother with oiling them. Saves lots of money.
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