What type/brand brake cleaner is safe to clean firearms with ?
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Brake Cleaner
- Thread starter jimmyj
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Brake Cleaner is nasty stuff for your health! I would use it only as a last resort and IF you do choose to use it, the non chlorinated type is probably a bit safer. ONLY use it outdoors and spray down-wind. I would also wear gloves. I do use Brake Cleaner on rare occasion (as a last resort if nothing else works) but I do take the precautions I mentioned above.
I use the CRC brand which is available in most auto stores.
I use the CRC brand which is available in most auto stores.
Maybe it is just me but I much prefer using gun cleaning products for cleaning guns. I know many people say that nonclorinated brake cleaner is just the same thing as.........but it is just not in my comfort zone.
Trooper224
Member
Non-chlorinated brake cleaner is what you want. The whole "gun cleaners for cleaning guns" attitude is always amusing, since most gun cleaners are repurposed cleaning agents from other industries simply repackaged. Products like Gun Scrubber are just repackaged brake cleaner with a ten time price mark up. Yes, brake cleaner is a toxic chemical, but so are most of the cleaners used in the gun industry. I use it on stainless guns, but nothing with a finish. Chlorinated will damage plastics, non-chlorinated will not.
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kbm6893
SWCA Member
I use non chlorinated brake cleaner on slides and metal frames. Gets into the nooks and crannies and cleans everything out. Way cheaper than the same product with a “gun cleaner” label on it.
I never use it on plastic frames or parts. For that I use Shooters Choice Polymer Safe cleaner. Follow either one with compressed air and a light lube. Always wear gloves and eye protection and always spray outside.
I never use it on plastic frames or parts. For that I use Shooters Choice Polymer Safe cleaner. Follow either one with compressed air and a light lube. Always wear gloves and eye protection and always spray outside.
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kbm6893
SWCA Member
Compare the labels of Gun Scrubber and Non Chlorinated Brake Cleaner. Then compare the price tags.
I've used brake cleaner many times in the past to deep clean/degrease gun parts with no ill effect to the firearm or myself. Try to keep it off wood stocks because you do risk discoloration of the stock. But usually a light coat of gun oil will bring it back to life. Same thing with blued metal. But, if you want to do it right, get some of this.....Same rule apply
Just remember, it will degrease/de-oil everything so proper lubing will be required after use.
Just remember, it will degrease/de-oil everything so proper lubing will be required after use.
kbm6893
SWCA Member
The can of CRC Non Chlorinated Brake Cleaner I bought at Walmart says right on the can not to use on rubber, plastic, or painted surfaces.
kbm6893
SWCA Member
I've used brake cleaner many times in the past to deep clean/degrease gun parts with no ill effect to the firearm or myself. Try to keep it off wood stocks because you do risk discoloration of the stock. But usually a light coat of gun oil will bring it back to life. Same thing with blued metal. But, if you want to do it right, get some of this.....Same rule apply
Just remember, it will degrease/de-oil everything so proper lubing will be required after use.
Read the warning on the can. Says not safe for plastics. They used to have a polymer safe version but I don’t see that anymore. I buy the Shooter’s Choice from Amazon.
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stang1911
Member
Non chlorinated brake parts cleaner Autozone brand is the best I've used for the money.
Trooper224
Member
I've used brake cleaner many times in the past to deep clean/degrease gun parts with no ill effect to the firearm or myself. Try to keep it off wood stocks because you do risk discoloration of the stock. But usually a light coat of gun oil will bring it back to life. Same thing with blued metal. But, if you want to do it right, get some of this.....Same rule apply
Just remember, it will degrease/de-oil everything so proper lubing will be required after use.
That's repackaged brake cleaner.
Non-chlorinated is the way I go. I don't ingest it in any way. Last time I read it, I think it was acetone, toluene, methanol and some things I didn't recognize or recall.
Use common sense, only hit metal parts with it and you should be fine.
ETA: I looked at the MSDS for Gun Scrubber and it doesn't list any of the 3 things above. Isopropyl Alcohol, Pentanes and other stuff I'm clueless about. I left my chemistry degree in my other pants. I'll stick with brake parts cleaner.
Use common sense, only hit metal parts with it and you should be fine.
ETA: I looked at the MSDS for Gun Scrubber and it doesn't list any of the 3 things above. Isopropyl Alcohol, Pentanes and other stuff I'm clueless about. I left my chemistry degree in my other pants. I'll stick with brake parts cleaner.
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Ummm, not really.....
Same here. I also like to use laundry detergent in the washing machine and not look for a safe to use car soap instead.
I've been using it for years and only use it outside over my burn barrel. Works great.
I tried brake cleaner before but it seems like I use too much a can goes in no time for me plus depending on your shop and be ventilation the fumes linger forever. I probably use too much I always have when working on cars seems like I need a case of the stuff and will only have a can or too.
And whatever you do, ALWAYS point it away from your face if you ever use the coffee straw and it pops out!! Years ago I made that mistake and I got some in my eye and WOW it lit me up, I ran into the kitchen and bad back and all was bend over backwards under the kitchen sink trying to flush that devil juice from my eyeball!! It makes OC spray look like milk
On guns I'm an acetone fan, I buy it by the gallon at Lowe's or wherever and it last me several months depending on how many I do but I always have it on standby. I use a towel, will use some of the blue shop paper towels for heavy carbon or gunk until I get whatever clean enough to use a towel to finish up.
It evaporates quickly too, not too fast but it doesn't linger or leave any film that you have to go back over with.
Much like brake cleaner it doesn't like any type of finish so keep it away from grips obviously and it doesn't like plastic as it will dissolve it over time but it's not as bad as some think. I have used it for bad tar on wheels on cars and even paint occasionally.
Try some acetone if you've never used it before and see if you don't like it better.
And whatever you do, ALWAYS point it away from your face if you ever use the coffee straw and it pops out!! Years ago I made that mistake and I got some in my eye and WOW it lit me up, I ran into the kitchen and bad back and all was bend over backwards under the kitchen sink trying to flush that devil juice from my eyeball!! It makes OC spray look like milk
On guns I'm an acetone fan, I buy it by the gallon at Lowe's or wherever and it last me several months depending on how many I do but I always have it on standby. I use a towel, will use some of the blue shop paper towels for heavy carbon or gunk until I get whatever clean enough to use a towel to finish up.
It evaporates quickly too, not too fast but it doesn't linger or leave any film that you have to go back over with.
Much like brake cleaner it doesn't like any type of finish so keep it away from grips obviously and it doesn't like plastic as it will dissolve it over time but it's not as bad as some think. I have used it for bad tar on wheels on cars and even paint occasionally.
Try some acetone if you've never used it before and see if you don't like it better.
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gwpercle
Member
" Safe to clean firearms" spans and includes a whole lot of firearms and firearm finishes ... I have a couple S&W Airlight & Airweight revolvers that have some poor clear coat finish on them ... harsh cleaners took that clear finish off , after the gun was left in flood waters for two weeks , a soaking in some Ed's Red Bore Cleaner took some patches of the clear finish off !
What you use depends on what the gun is made of ...
blue or stainless steel , brake cleaner would be ok ...it's harsh like Acetone .
Use your head and look at your gun ...spray / painted on finish , don't use the harsh stuff .
Do what Aretha says to do ... You gotta Think !
Gary
What you use depends on what the gun is made of ...
blue or stainless steel , brake cleaner would be ok ...it's harsh like Acetone .
Use your head and look at your gun ...spray / painted on finish , don't use the harsh stuff .
Do what Aretha says to do ... You gotta Think !
Gary
