Also, I found out that certain brands of insect repellant, when left on your hands in warm weather, will melt the finish on wood.
A warning to those that use "brake-clean" to clean your guns.
- Thread starter Hearsedriver
- Start date
Brake & Parts cleaner is also great for shotguns, dissolving that plastic wad build up in the choke area or choke tubes.
Ok to you guys that love to use brake clean. Please note how many brake mechanics are 6 feet under from using the stuff. Also know that any part cleaned with it and then later welded on you will probably die within minutes of breathing the fumes. We were trained on this at work due to the large numbers of deaths in industries.
Nemo288
Member
It's all about HOW you use it.
I was an electronics maintenance and repair engineer for 35 years.
Used TCE and other chloro/fluorocarbons to clean circuit boards and joints after soldering them.
Sometimes brake cleaner when nothing else was available.
I always at least had a fan blowing away from me and a big vent fan going to evacuate the room.
Also used the least amount possible to do the job.
I am now pushing 70 with no known health effects from breathing this stuff.
Somewhat different from a large garage with poor ventilation and many guys spraying full cans of this all day long.
After using a patch or 2 to degrease a revolver cylinder I flush the patches so they don't evaporate in the wastebasket.
One can of brake cleaner has lasted me at least 5 years.
Risk management involves thinking about what you are doing before you do it.
I learned that early on after electrocuting myself working on TV sets when I was a "tween".
I was an electronics maintenance and repair engineer for 35 years.
Used TCE and other chloro/fluorocarbons to clean circuit boards and joints after soldering them.
Sometimes brake cleaner when nothing else was available.
I always at least had a fan blowing away from me and a big vent fan going to evacuate the room.
Also used the least amount possible to do the job.
I am now pushing 70 with no known health effects from breathing this stuff.
Somewhat different from a large garage with poor ventilation and many guys spraying full cans of this all day long.
After using a patch or 2 to degrease a revolver cylinder I flush the patches so they don't evaporate in the wastebasket.
One can of brake cleaner has lasted me at least 5 years.
Risk management involves thinking about what you are doing before you do it.
I learned that early on after electrocuting myself working on TV sets when I was a "tween".
gwpercle
Member
Use Acetone....much better for you than that deadly brake cleaner .
Do what Nemo288 say's ...it's how you use these cleaners , none of them are harmless .
Do what Nemo288 say's ...it's how you use these cleaners , none of them are harmless .
Last edited:
Nemo288
Member
Thanks for reminding me.
I need to get a new can of that.
Found that it was the only thing that would dissolve Tempilaq residue after annealing some brass.
After torching the cases the melted Tempilaq turns into a kind of baked paint upon cooling.
I need to get a new can of that.
Found that it was the only thing that would dissolve Tempilaq residue after annealing some brass.
After torching the cases the melted Tempilaq turns into a kind of baked paint upon cooling.
DWalt
Member
For many years I have used spray carb cleaner for thorough gun cleaning (the cheapest the auto parts store has). It is also a fairly powerful solvent, and by using the thin red plastic tube in the nozzle, it will blast every bit of gunk out of crevices and tight corners. It evaporates quickly and does nothing to bluing, but I always remove any finished wood from the area. I do such cleaning jobs outside in my driveway.
DWalt
Member
I think the topic leans more toward cleaning gun mechanisms than bores.
Targets Guy
US Veteran
I use brake cleaner and have had no problems. I try not to spray the wooden grips. Once I remove the cylinder I let it sit in the brake cleaner until I get to cleaning the chambers. So far so good. I like the $2.97 a can a great deal. Napa had it on sale all month and I stocked up good.
Things that brake cleaner can ruin:
1. Some wood finishes
2. Clear plastic magazines like 10/22 banana mags (found this one out the hard way)
3. Some older plastics made in the pre-polymer era
4. Some rubber components
5. The glue that holds on Talon grips (another one I found out the hard way)
6. brain cells (make sure to always use it in a well-ventilated area)
And honorable mention: If you cut yourself and put on a Band-Aid prior to your cleaning session, not only will it take the Band-Aid off but it will hurt like Hell in a hot summer when it gets into the wound. Yet something else I learned the hard way.
1. Some wood finishes
2. Clear plastic magazines like 10/22 banana mags (found this one out the hard way)
3. Some older plastics made in the pre-polymer era
4. Some rubber components
5. The glue that holds on Talon grips (another one I found out the hard way)
6. brain cells (make sure to always use it in a well-ventilated area)
And honorable mention: If you cut yourself and put on a Band-Aid prior to your cleaning session, not only will it take the Band-Aid off but it will hurt like Hell in a hot summer when it gets into the wound. Yet something else I learned the hard way.
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This is exactly why I have decided NOT to use chemicals and products on guns that are not designed for the purpose at hand. While there are many products that will work fine even though not exactly intended for use on firearms - one forgetful move or one slip - a part, accessory or accoutrement is ruined.
That is also WHY I have continued using the Rig #2 Oil I always go-on about. While there may be better individual Lubes, Solvents and Protectors, I have never found a better "all-in-one" product that will NOT harms any metal, plating, wood, plastic, Polymer, leather, or any material found on a firearm. There's a LOT to be said about that!
I ALWAYS clean my guns properly after a Range session and because of that procedure they never get to the point where I need a super duty solvent on them.
When a situation arises and I get a new to me gun that needs a bit more attention I will use something stronger but always make sure the product being used won't harm the materials it is going to come in contact with or if necessary - I'll remove or disassemble that specific susceptible part. I did learn the hard way a long time ago and have made sure never to repeat that ....
That is also WHY I have continued using the Rig #2 Oil I always go-on about. While there may be better individual Lubes, Solvents and Protectors, I have never found a better "all-in-one" product that will NOT harms any metal, plating, wood, plastic, Polymer, leather, or any material found on a firearm. There's a LOT to be said about that!
I ALWAYS clean my guns properly after a Range session and because of that procedure they never get to the point where I need a super duty solvent on them.
When a situation arises and I get a new to me gun that needs a bit more attention I will use something stronger but always make sure the product being used won't harm the materials it is going to come in contact with or if necessary - I'll remove or disassemble that specific susceptible part. I did learn the hard way a long time ago and have made sure never to repeat that ....
Triggernosis
Member
The spar urethane is a great finish. I do have a question for you though - why didn't you strip the rest of the finish off the grips with the brake cleaner?
Jeff423
US Veteran
Not all plastics. I've had acetone in an 8oz Nalgene dropper bottle for 7+years on my bench. The bottle is polyethylene.Acetone will also melt any plastic it comes in contact with.
Help Identify Gun Solvent
Hoping someone can help identify. In the early 1970's, I used a foam gun/lube in a spray can that had the pleasant vanilla smell to it. Anyone remember this gun cleaner and can you help me ID?
Hoping someone can help identify. In the early 1970's, I used a foam gun/lube in a spray can that had the pleasant vanilla smell to it. Anyone remember this gun cleaner and can you help me ID?
The_Truth
Member
With so many fine gun cleaning products on the market I guess I just don't understand the need to even use brake cleaner
Probably G96. Used to be nearly impossible to find around here, but it my local Cabela's recently started to carry it. Until recently Colt used it on their new guns before shipping. I wipe down guns with it before putting away in storage.
oneounceload
Member
Because most gun cleaners are merely over-priced re packaged cleaners designed for a different industry; and in many cases, things like brake cleaner, ATF, even WD-40 can be great solvents/cleaners
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