Brake Cleaner on Polymer Guns

kbm6893

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I use non-chlorinated brake cleaner on all my guns. Much cheaper than gunscrubber. But I see gunscrubber has a synthetic formula for polymer guns. Will hosing down a polymer frame with brake cleaner hurt it or do I have to pay triple for the gunscrubber?
 
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Just me, but as an armorer I've never used brake cleaner or Gun Scrubber, both because they are extremely flammable, and because there are just too many health hazards. It also strips the gun frame and metal parts of lubricant, and consequently makes the metal parts more succeptable to oxidation.

https://www.conncoll.edu/media/webs...cs/Brakleen_Brake_Parts_Cleaner_(Aerosol).pdf

I'm not sure about long term use of the product on the gun in terms of grip finishes, magazine followers/floorplates, sight inserts, and the polymer frame. Use on the metal parts is probably ok, with the exception of the reasons I cited above.
 
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You run the risk of turning black plastic parts grey. Most plastic is a petroleum product. What does brake clean do to petroleum?
 
i have seen it destroy certain plastics and wouldnt want to run the risk of damage over long term use. if you must, use it on the slide and barrel only.
 
Recently i tried gun scrubber on my guns. Surprised how well it worked to breakdown the power and metals residue left after shooting.... HOWEVER, WARNING.. unlike HOPPY-9 it does not make a good cologne....
 
I use Gunscrubber on my guns ONLY when absolutely necessary. USUALLY that is when I acquire a "new to me" gun that has not been cleaned properly before I got it. I'll use the Gunscrubber and after cleaning I'll immediately give all metal parts a good oiling as the GS removes all traces of oil and rust can start up quickly.

Other than that, I don't use GS on any regular basis as I always keep up with the leaning and oiling of my guns. They just never get that dirty. A single can of GS probably lasts me about 3 years or so - so the cost is a non issue.

I have never looked at Gunscrubber (or similar Brake Cleaner) as a weekly routine for cleaning, but just as a method of cleaning EXTREMELY DIRTY guns on a one shot basis.
 
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