CLP

[444 Magnum]

I've used CLP for years. I ran out last week so I was looking to replenish. I didn't want another aerosol can because I don't finish them before the propellant runs out.

The prices were shocking. A 0.68 ounce bottle was roughly $10 at wallyworld.

Then I found this on Amazon Resale for $77. That's $0.66/ounce. It was 33% off and unopened.

I never thought about buying an entire gallon but I suppose it'll last me the rest of my life if I don't have any accidents.

I have smaller bottles I can pour it into for application.

I don't know if I'm a sucker for a deal or just a sucker.

 

[DWalt]

Low viscosity synthetic motor oil is essentially the same as CLP.

 

[444 Magnum]

Low viscosity synthetic motor oil is essentially the same as CLP.

I've aware of the basic similarities, but I would think the additives in each are more specialized for their intended purposes.

I've used CLP for nearly 40 years with no issues. It doesn't set up or stiffen the action like some other popular products.

 

[Matt_X]

Egzactly.
In fact we recently went on sidetrack discussing this on another thread.
Even if they started with the same base stock and viscosity grade, the additive package for a Mil-spec CLP (such as Break Free) needs to meet different requirements than a motor oil.

If one was interested enough, for about $30 one can send a sample of CLP for analysis in the same manner as a virgin or used engine oil.

Summary of CLP Requirements

from here MIL-PRF-63460 F CLEANER LUBRICANT PRESERVATIVE WEAPONS

Automotive and diesel engine oils usually meet current ILSAC API and SAE specs. (Although if you are into 1960s vehicles, hot rodding or racing there's some preference for a anti-wear package that meets one of the older requirements. Ford also specs there own version of that requirement for some of their diesels.)
Many, including myself, think that Richard Widman's paper on Oil for flat tappet engines is a one of the best overviews of automotive oils (for those of us who aren't tribologists)
Pdf on his website here Classic Car oil

Out of curiousity, lets see if we can compare the viscosity requirements of CLP to SAE motor oil grades.

CLP with solvent at 40 *C should be a minimum of 14 cSt.
Well, even a 0W grade is above 14 cSt at 40 degrees so I would say all 0W- oils and higher exceed the minimum.

CLP when the solvent evaporates should have a viscosity of 5000 cSt or thinner at -40*. While thats not directly comparable to any automotive spec, we can use a calculator to learn viscosity at -40 is for a typical 0W-20. That turns out to be 16,500 centiStoke.

So it seems that from subfreezing temperatures to well over 100*F engine oils are generally higher viscosity (thicker) than CLP.

 

[444 Magnum]

^^^ Wow!

....

 

[Nick B]

From what I’ve gathered Radco now makes the military’s CLP. Amazon sells it . Radcolube.

 

[djohns6]

No shortage of Chemical Engineers and Tribologists on gun forums ..

 

[GnarlsR2]

Holy guacamole!!

I could not use that much gun oil in 10 life times!

I have a 1 ounce bottle of Clenzoil I've used for 21 months. Today it is a tad over 1/2 full. I clean my firearms after every use. I hit the range about once a month with typically 3 firearms.

I paid $9.77 for 1 ounce bottle of Clenzoil. That seems absurd.

A $10 1 quart bottle of Mobil 1 full synthetic 0-20W would last me 128 years, and I'll bet my firearms will NEVER know the difference.

 

[Plinkasaurusrex]

I've been using Clenzoil for a long time. I thinkyou payed too much.Clenzoil 01 Field & Range Rust Prevent - Knife Country, USA

 

[DWalt]

Holy guacamole!!

I could not use that much gun oil in 10 life times!

I have a 1 ounce bottle of Clenzoil I've used for 21 months. Today it is a tad over 1/2 full. I clean my firearms after every use. I hit the range about once a month with typically 3 firearms.

I paid $9.77 for 1 ounce bottle of Clenzoil. That seems absurd.

A $10 1 quart bottle of Mobil 1 full synthetic 0-20W would last me 128 years, and I'll bet my firearms will NEVER know the difference.

I have a one pound can of Johnson’s Paste Wax which I have used on my guns since the late 1980s. Probably 90% of it is still in the can. A little wax goes a long way. As I have said previously, plain 3-in-1 household oil, or similar, is an excellent bore cleaner. A quart of Mobil 1 0-20W will probably be a lifetime+ supply of CLP substitute for most shooters.

 

[glenwolde]

My interest in viscosity does not extend beyond pancake batter.

 

[ACORN]

I just use Ballistol.

 

[Krogen]

Thanks, Matt_X. I know nearly nothing about lubricants except that I want my gun to function and not wear excessively or rust. I appreciate it when someone goes technical and offers solid information to the forum. I generally learn something from those posts. So often, responses are filled with uninformed anecdotes. People spout off with uniformed notions that can lead others into the weeds. I value posts from a position of knowledge.

 

[cololab]

I've used CLP for years and have nothing disparaging to say about it. That's not an assertion there are no other, or possibly better, products out there, it's just worked for my purposes.

 

[rays44]

Everything is expensive. My small bottle of CLP is several years old and I still have most of it. I clean my guns after every shooting (I know, too often), and this small bottle still lasts forever. Many folks use WAY more lubricant that is needed.

 

[mauser9]

Appreciate all the comments myself. Been using CLP for quite a while for lubricant. Heard there are better products for lead removal from bores like Hoppes perhaps so still using that for powder lead removal after shooting Trap with my 1100. Like Rem-Oil myself also.

 

[Fishinfool]

I have used Break Free CLP for about as long as it has been out, and am satisfied. Not really the best product at any one thing, it does all jobs well.

I think your shooting friends will be showing up at your house shortly with little bottles in their hands....

Larry

 

[old tanker]

...
I could not use that much gun oil in 10 life times...

I had that thought when I was getting to retire from the Army in 1988. The building I was assigned to was also being closed out. I saved a gallon of CLP, a gallon of LSA and 2 gallons of RBC from the dumpster.

All that is left is about half a gallon of LSA. Some things like to run a little wet.

 

[444 Magnum]

Holy guacamole!! I could not use that much gun oil in 10 life times!

Let's just say I have more than a few firearms.

I think your shooting friends will be showing up at your house shortly with little bottles in their hands....

I just got off the phone with a buddy I shoot with and told him to bring his bottle over.

Yes, it's a lot. This should be a lifetime supply for me and my sons. The way things are going, a half pint is going to cost this much in a few years.

 

[AJ]

I have got a little bit of most, CLP, different gun oils, Balistoil etc.... I have used some military grade "Instrument Oil" to see how it works and it seems to do OK. Have two quarts of it in the mil-spec green cans. I do use Mobil 1 0-20 in our car, so if needed, I have some of it too.