Why can't they improve the "stench" to make it even better? My friend's wife gave me a "what for" last night - lol

[chief38]

About 2 years ago I bought 2 cans and 1 spray bottle of Ballistol after hearing so many great things about it and about its non toxic formula. That said, the very first time I opened the can I KNEW it would only be a one shot use and in my shop for less than 1 day - lol. While using it my wife walked into my garage workshop and immediately asked, "what the heck is that stench"? I told her I was trying a new gun cleaner/solvent and that 's what it smells like. We both looked at each other and two seconds later I called one of my shooting buddies down the street and told him to come over and I'll give him 3 containers of Ballistol. He came over in a few minutes and was very appreciative. Apparently he had not used it until a few days ago.

Fast forward to last night's community bowling night. My friend's wife came over to me at the bowling alley and said, "what the heck is in that gun stuff you gave my husband"? It stinks!! I laughed my butt off and said, "that's exactly why I gave it away" - . She told me when he's out and about she's going to discretely ditch it in the trash - I told her I don't blame her and completely understand!

I really don't get how so many here use that stuff!! Yes, I know it has a great reputation for safety, works well and is useful on many different materials, but man oh man, ..... how does one tolerate the stench? I am shocked that they have not figured out a way to calm the smell down or eliminate it all together. Maybe it's just part of why it works well - who knows. While it's fantastic to come across a product that works well and is safe, to me smells, scents and odors resonate big time as well. That is my follow up Ballistol story!

 

[SWFan27]

My wife will say that the garage smells like someone pooped in it. Nope, just Ballistol. It smells like victory; I will tell her in my best Robert Duvall impression.

 

[goldenboy]

Nothing like Hoppes #9…dab behind the ear and good to go…chicks dig it!!

 

[got2hav1]

I won't use it for this very reason. Smells awful...like somebody's dirty socks.

 

[scattershot]

Holy cow! It’s not that bad. Tell those women to get a grip.

 

[USBP SW]

Holy cow! It’s not that bad. Tell those women to get a grip.

It's supposed to work well on grips, also on leather and apparently on about everything firearm related.

 

[mckenney99]

Stagnant cesspool/swamp water with licorice thrown in. Just thinking about it causes me to gag and I've dealt with more than my share of long dead animals that don't have the same affect on me.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I never heard anyone say that about Ballistol. I use it at home and I always bring a can to the range for a quick lube on each gun before I shoot it.

 

[Repeater]

Can't say that I'm a fan of the smell either...but the stuff really cleans! I always wipe off ALL residue, though.
one tome I soaked a dirty 1911 because it was so dirty and forgot to wipe it clean. Fast forward about a month...
I couldn't even rack the slide until I soaked it again! Then I wiped it all off and gave it a spray of Shooter's Lube,
my now preferred cleaner.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I quit with the first can.................It makes me sneeze and cough.

 

[Bald1]

Wow . I’ve never used it. But now I gotta try it. Thanks alot

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

Nothing like Hoppes #9…dab behind the ear and good to go…chicks dig it!!

All the girls crazy for a sharp-dressed man!

 

[ladder13]

Never tried it, thanks for the err review.

 

[Frailer]

My beautiful, brilliant wife has a nose like a bloodhound, and she has informed me in no uncertain terms that the aroma of Ballistol is highly offensive.

I thought it was just her, but apparently it’s a gender thing.

 

[CH4]

Nothing like Hoppes #9…dab behind the ear and good to go…chicks dig it!!

Chicks in Alabama

 

[jbtrucker]

I bought a can few years ago and agree smells like dirty socks . Got it away from my apartment and used it for lube on the truck. Despite the smell it is a good product

 

[kraynky]

I guess we are all different by design. While I love the old Hoppes #9 for sure (grew up with it), I don't notice Ballisol being offensive. I've had it in the living room cleaning guns several time's and never had the wife complain about it either.

Maybe it's one of those things that gets in people's heads and takes on a mind of it's on ???? Who knows?

I do know that the smell of used differential lube will gag a buzzard!

 

[Onomea]

I think it has that "wet dog" aroma. Not the greatest smell, perhaps, but doesn't bother me that much either.

 

[daveboy]

Maybe something is wrong with me, but the smell of Ballistol doesn't bother me at all.