Clean guns with brake cleaner?

lil_bro · August 24, 2006, 04:05 AM

A friend of mine says he cleans his guns with break cleaner and that I should stop buy the more costly gun cleaners and use that.Can this be done without melting things(i.e the stock,blueing)

Thanks.
Michael.

Puppy · August 24, 2006, 05:28 AM

I use Brake Klean for some of my firearms, stainless steel & parkarized finished ones with rubber or plastic grips & stocks for the most part.

I dont use it on ones with firearms sporting a good blued finish or good wood grips or stocks though.

maas · August 24, 2006, 06:54 AM

keep it off the finish and your fine. i like to use q-tips with it. this way you get a very detailed job and no over spray.

zippyfusenet · August 24, 2006, 07:38 AM

There is a gun cleaning product called Break Free CLP, 'Cleaner * Lubricant * Preservative' (CLP)>. I've started using it on my stainless steel guns, and I like the results. I hear it eats up bluing and other finishes.

Then there's brake cleaner or brake shoe cleaner, that you buy in the automotive department. Powerful stuff - I hear it's good for stripping paint. A can I have (CRC Brakleen) claims it 'Degreases Instantly', so if you spray it on a firearm, expect it to eat all the lubricant. I hear you'd better wear a good pair of rubber gloves if you work with it, because it will take all the natural lubricant out of your skin and tear your hands up. I haven't tried yet.

Does anyone actually clean their firearms with brake shoe cleaner?

Te Anau · August 24, 2006, 03:46 PM

Using brake cleaner as a gun cleaner is foolish at best.If you need to degrease,use mineral spirits while wearing nitrile gloves.If you need to "cheap out" somewhere,buy a quart of 10W30 FULL SYNTHETIC motor oil as a lube.Brake cleaner has damaged many a gun over the years.

Number 6 · August 24, 2006, 04:37 PM

primarily to blow out trigger groups, particularly my shotgun and AR-15. Never had a problem, but then; I don't spray it on high-gloss urethane finishes or other plastic. Neither it nor Tri-Flon (CLP) has ever harmed any metal finish I've used it on.

Takes the old, contaminated lubricant out, along with powder flakes and residue, range dust, etc. Flashes out very quickly w/no film of its own.

Don't use it indoors and I would suggest eye protection.

maas · August 24, 2006, 05:16 PM

actually brake cleaner is paint friendly. although carb cleaner is not.

Ausserordeutlich · August 24, 2006, 05:46 PM

Be sure to get non-chlorinated brake cleaner.

Pointer · August 24, 2006, 06:05 PM

Automobile Brake cleaner is very strong...
How dirty is your weapon?

Brake cleaner will damage the clear coat and the paint on your car...
How dirty is your weapon?

One bottle of "officially approved" gun cleaning solvent and oil, like Break Free will last until you are very old and beyond caring...

How cheap are you??

If you are removing cosmoline from a military surplus weapon... :barf:
Brake fluid would help a lot...

How dirty is your weapon?

Bill DeShivs · August 24, 2006, 06:32 PM

Brake parts cleaner will not harm bluing or metal parts, unless the parts are painted. BPC will degrease, and remove lubrication. It will get gunk out of the most inaccessible areas. It works best if you use WD 40 to soften old grease and residue first. BPC will dry your skin, so wear gloves and SAFETY GLASSES!
BPC can remove wood finishes, paint, and can damage plastic parts. BPC will not remove copper and lead fouling. Make sure you re-oil the gun after using it.
Bill

lil_bro · August 25, 2006, 12:20 AM

Thanks all.

I was going to use brake parts cleaner on my Hi-Point carbine but since most all the parts are painted I think I'll stick with some break-free powder blast, much safer on stuff.

Thanks again.
Michael.

azurefly · August 25, 2006, 01:22 AM

Quote:

There is a gun cleaning product called Break Free CLP, 'Cleaner * Lubricant * Preservative' (CLP)>. I've started using it on my stainless steel guns, and I like the results. I hear it eats up bluing and other finishes.

I have never heard that BREAK FREE CLP is bad for any gun finish. I find it hard to believe, but I have no hard evidence either way.

I don't have the bottle in front of me (it's at home) but I don't remember seeing any warning to not use it on blued guns. I use it on knives and on GLOCKS, HKs, Walthers -- not blued guns.

Can anyone verify this claim about CLP?

-azurefly

buckster · August 25, 2006, 02:13 AM

I use Wipe Out after the range. It works great! I use tubing and a drinking straw to apply it from the receiver end so it comes out the crown.

Shorts · August 25, 2006, 09:00 AM

Hoppes 9 seems to work just fine. Gun thing for guns, car things for cars. Its a small price to pay. Plus I don't have to walk up and down stairs, in and out of the garage to grab thing off shelves. I go to the store anyway, what's $10?

Ausserordeutlich · August 25, 2006, 09:43 AM

Pointer: Believe it or not, brake cleaner and brake fluid aren't the same substance! Brake fluid will ruin auto paint; brake cleaner won't hurt auto paint. I don't use brake cleaner for cleaning my firearms because it's cheap; I use it because, for some applications, it's superior to clp, which is a compromise product for whatever job it's used.

Number 6 · August 25, 2006, 10:30 AM

Quote:

I don't use brake cleaner for cleaning my firearms because it's cheap; I use it because, for some applications, it's superior to clp, which is a compromise product for whatever job it's used.

My point precisely. When I need to blast out a mechanism such as a trigger group to strip out all the old lubricant and debris, without leaving a film, brake cleaner with the "straw" is the way to go.

I can then lubricate with the appropriate product, knowing that there is little, if anything, already there to contaminate it.

Electrical cleaner is a good substitute, but I find brake cleaner is cheaper and, more importantly, has a much more powerful spray.

**Mike Irwin** · August 25, 2006, 10:42 AM

I've been using brake cleaner on my guns for over 20 years and haven't dissolved a single one yet.

Nothing foolish about it. it's a product designed for removing oil, grease, and contaminants from metal surfaces.

What is a gun? A metal surface.

What does it have on it? Oil, grease, and contaminants.

The comment about stripping paint is interesting, but largely not germane unless you're trying to clean a British late WW II era rifle or handgun or a few of the lower-end guns on the market today.

Bluing, though isn't paint. It takes acid to remove bluing. I've only ever painted one of my guns, and it was a toss-away shotgun that I used for wet weather duck hunting.

rem33 · August 25, 2006, 12:12 PM

If CLP removes the bluing on firearms my guns wouldn't have much bluing left. They look just fine. I have been using Breakfree CPL on all the metal services for a few years now. I first remove and don't use CLP, right after touch up with Brownells Oxpho-Blue, let it dry good first.

Pointer · August 25, 2006, 12:59 PM

Quote:

My point precisely. When I need to blast out a mechanism such as a trigger group to strip out all the old lubricant and debris, without leaving a film, brake cleaner with the "straw" is the way to go.

It might be simpler this way and perhaps faster...

But I have always washed the metal parts in Dawn or Joy and rinsed with extremely hot water...
I blow it out with compressed air and lightly lube...

If I need to clear the copper fouling I do that first and then wash the gun out.

Brake Parts Cleaner sounds like a pretty good idea, but I KNOW my guns are clean and free of grit or other debris...

Quote:

I have never heard that BREAK FREE CLP is bad for any gun finish. I find it hard to believe, but I have no hard evidence either way.

How's this...?
I have used Break free on all my blued rifles for some years now...
I saturated an "oil rag" and keep it in a plastic freezer bag and I wipe down the guns after every "handling"... I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BLUING BEING DAMAGED.

MisterPX · August 25, 2006, 04:41 PM

I tend to use non chlor. BraKleen. No issues with finishes or plastics.

mfree · August 28, 2006, 03:10 PM

Brake cleaner:

WILL strip ALL oils, meaning you need to re-oil everywhere you hit.
Is not bad for the metal finish, is very bad for the stock finish (stripping oil, remember?)
Can and will eat plastic, not so bad about rubber. Cars have rubber brake lines and phenolic pistons, they figure on that; but there are no low-temp plastics in car brake systems like PE/PB/PU/nylon.

CLP and other products are composed partially of light oils to replace what it cuts. Using them removes an extra step (the re-oiling) that could make up for the difference in the cost.

And I still think WD-40 is anathema.

PressCheck · August 28, 2006, 04:18 PM

I've been cleaning my Glocks with Brake Cleaner for years...No Problems.

maas · August 28, 2006, 06:07 PM

mfree i look at it this way you change the oil in your car because its full of contaminates and its dirty. so why not for your guns. i strip all the oil off with brake cleaner and then re oil it with rem lube. the extra 30 seconds is well worth it.

fairview mick · August 28, 2006, 06:43 PM

Brake clean WILL NOT damage guns as long as it's not used on any palstic parts or wood. it will loosen painted sights also. But I state again, it will not harm stainless, chrome or blued steel. I used it the automotive shop of mine for over forty years and never damaged anything metal!!!!!. It's just a more potent form of "Gun Scrubber".
Mickey

kansas45 · August 30, 2006, 10:27 AM

I havent damaged any of my gun's by useing brake cleaner. I do remove the grips. I don't reall want to find out if it will damage rubber, wood or plastic. I like the way it removes dirt & grime from hard to reach places. It also remove's all of the lubercation so I can re-lube with out overlubing the piece. Make sure you wear eye protection. I also blow off the part's with compressed air for a little extra cleaning.

August 24, 2006, 04:05 AM	#1
lil_bro Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2004 Location: Oklahoma. Posts: 396	Clean guns with brake cleaner? A friend of mine says he cleans his guns with break cleaner and that I should stop buy the more costly gun cleaners and use that.Can this be done without melting things(i.e the stock,blueing) Thanks. Michael.

August 24, 2006, 06:54 AM	#3
maas Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2005 Location: The state of Jefferson Posts: 897	keep it off the finish and your fine. i like to use q-tips with it. this way you get a very detailed job and no over spray. __________________ I don't try to offend....some times i get lucky! There's always one thing that makes Republicans look good on election day...........Democrats!

August 24, 2006, 07:38 AM	#4
zippyfusenet Senior Member Join Date: July 19, 2005 Posts: 169	There is a gun cleaning product called <i>Break Free CLP</i>, 'Cleaner * Lubricant * Preservative' (<i>CLP</i>)>. I've started using it on my stainless steel guns, and I like the results. I hear it eats up bluing and other finishes. Then there's brake cleaner or brake shoe cleaner, that you buy in the automotive department. Powerful stuff - I hear it's good for stripping paint. A can I have (<i>CRC Brakleen</i>) claims it 'Degreases Instantly', so if you spray it on a firearm, expect it to eat all the lubricant. I hear you'd better wear a good pair of rubber gloves if you work with it, because it will take all the natural lubricant out of your skin and tear your hands up. I haven't tried yet. Does anyone actually clean their firearms with brake shoe cleaner? __________________ You'll shoot your eye out, kid!

August 24, 2006, 04:37 PM	#6
Number 6 Junior member Join Date: October 3, 2002 Posts: 919	I've used brake cleaner, primarily to blow out trigger groups, particularly my shotgun and AR-15. Never had a problem, but then; I don't spray it on high-gloss urethane finishes or other plastic. Neither it nor Tri-Flon (CLP) has ever harmed any metal finish I've used it on. Takes the old, contaminated lubricant out, along with powder flakes and residue, range dust, etc. Flashes out very quickly w/no film of its own. Don't use it indoors and I would suggest eye protection.

August 24, 2006, 05:16 PM	#7
maas Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2005 Location: The state of Jefferson Posts: 897	actually brake cleaner is paint friendly. although carb cleaner is not. __________________ I don't try to offend....some times i get lucky! There's always one thing that makes Republicans look good on election day...........Democrats!

August 24, 2006, 05:28 AM	#2
Puppy Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2005 Posts: 265	I use Brake Klean for some of my firearms, stainless steel & parkarized finished ones with rubber or plastic grips & stocks for the most part. I dont use it on ones with firearms sporting a good blued finish or good wood grips or stocks though.

August 24, 2006, 03:46 PM	#5
Te Anau Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2004 Location: Somewhere south of the No Posts: 3,824	Using brake cleaner as a gun cleaner is foolish at best.If you need to degrease,use mineral spirits while wearing nitrile gloves.If you need to "cheap out" somewhere,buy a quart of 10W30 FULL SYNTHETIC motor oil as a lube.Brake cleaner has damaged many a gun over the years.

August 24, 2006, 05:46 PM	#8
Ausserordeutlich Junior member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Posts: 996	Be sure to get non-chlorinated brake cleaner.

August 24, 2006, 06:05 PM	#9
Pointer Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2005 Location: Utah Posts: 2,559	Automobile Brake cleaner is very strong... How dirty is your weapon? Brake cleaner will damage the clear coat and the paint on your car... How dirty is your weapon? One bottle of "officially approved" gun cleaning solvent and oil, like Break Free will last until you are very old and beyond caring... How cheap are you?? If you are removing cosmoline from a military surplus weapon... :barf: Brake fluid would help a lot... How dirty is your weapon?

August 24, 2006, 06:32 PM	#10
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 11,111	Brake parts cleaner will not harm bluing or metal parts, unless the parts are painted. BPC will degrease, and remove lubrication. It will get gunk out of the most inaccessible areas. It works best if you use WD 40 to soften old grease and residue first. BPC will dry your skin, so wear gloves and SAFETY GLASSES! BPC can remove wood finishes, paint, and can damage plastic parts. BPC will not remove copper and lead fouling. Make sure you re-oil the gun after using it. Bill

August 25, 2006, 12:20 AM	#11
lil_bro Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2004 Location: Oklahoma. Posts: 396	Thanks all. I was going to use brake parts cleaner on my Hi-Point carbine but since most all the parts are painted I think I'll stick with some break-free powder blast, much safer on stuff. Thanks again. Michael.

August 25, 2006, 02:13 AM	#13
buckster Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2006 Posts: 674	That's news to me I use Wipe Out after the range. It works great! I use tubing and a drinking straw to apply it from the receiver end so it comes out the crown.

August 25, 2006, 09:00 AM	#14
Shorts Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2004 Posts: 1,484	Hoppes 9 seems to work just fine. Gun thing for guns, car things for cars. Its a small price to pay. Plus I don't have to walk up and down stairs, in and out of the garage to grab thing off shelves. I go to the store anyway, what's $10?

August 25, 2006, 09:43 AM	#15
Ausserordeutlich Junior member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Posts: 996	Pointer: Believe it or not, brake cleaner and brake fluid aren't the same substance! Brake fluid will ruin auto paint; brake cleaner won't hurt auto paint. I don't use brake cleaner for cleaning my firearms because it's cheap; I use it because, for some applications, it's superior to clp, which is a compromise product for whatever job it's used.

August 25, 2006, 10:42 AM	#17
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,642	I've been using brake cleaner on my guns for over 20 years and haven't dissolved a single one yet. Nothing foolish about it. it's a product designed for removing oil, grease, and contaminants from metal surfaces. What is a gun? A metal surface. What does it have on it? Oil, grease, and contaminants. The comment about stripping paint is interesting, but largely not germane unless you're trying to clean a British late WW II era rifle or handgun or a few of the lower-end guns on the market today. Bluing, though isn't paint. It takes acid to remove bluing. I've only ever painted one of my guns, and it was a toss-away shotgun that I used for wet weather duck hunting. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

August 25, 2006, 12:12 PM	#18
rem33 Junior member Join Date: March 31, 2006 Posts: 1,528	CLP/ gun blue If CLP removes the bluing on firearms my guns wouldn't have much bluing left. They look just fine. I have been using Breakfree CPL on all the metal services for a few years now. I first remove and don't use CLP, right after touch up with Brownells Oxpho-Blue, let it dry good first.

August 25, 2006, 04:41 PM	#20
MisterPX Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2006 Location: Amerika's Doyleland Posts: 809	I tend to use non chlor. BraKleen. No issues with finishes or plastics.

August 28, 2006, 03:10 PM	#21
mfree Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2004 Posts: 506	Brake cleaner: WILL strip ALL oils, meaning you need to re-oil everywhere you hit. Is not bad for the metal finish, is very bad for the stock finish (stripping oil, remember?) Can and will eat plastic, not so bad about rubber. Cars have rubber brake lines and phenolic pistons, they figure on that; but there are no low-temp plastics in car brake systems like PE/PB/PU/nylon. CLP and other products are composed partially of light oils to replace what it cuts. Using them removes an extra step (the re-oiling) that could make up for the difference in the cost. And I still think WD-40 is anathema.

August 28, 2006, 04:18 PM	#22
PressCheck Junior member Join Date: October 10, 2000 Location: PRK Posts: 112	I've been cleaning my Glocks with Brake Cleaner for years...No Problems.

August 28, 2006, 06:07 PM	#23
maas Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2005 Location: The state of Jefferson Posts: 897	mfree i look at it this way you change the oil in your car because its full of contaminates and its dirty. so why not for your guns. i strip all the oil off with brake cleaner and then re oil it with rem lube. the extra 30 seconds is well worth it. __________________ I don't try to offend....some times i get lucky! There's always one thing that makes Republicans look good on election day...........Democrats!

August 28, 2006, 06:43 PM	#24
fairview mick Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2005 Location: North Olmsted Posts: 795	To Te Anau Brake clean WILL NOT damage guns as long as it's not used on any palstic parts or wood. it will loosen painted sights also. But I state again, it will not harm stainless, chrome or blued steel. I used it the automotive shop of mine for over forty years and never damaged anything metal!!!!!. It's just a more potent form of "Gun Scrubber". Mickey

August 30, 2006, 10:27 AM	#25
kansas45 Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: Southern Kansas, near I-35 Posts: 142	I havent damaged any of my gun's by useing brake cleaner. I do remove the grips. I don't reall want to find out if it will damage rubber, wood or plastic. I like the way it removes dirt & grime from hard to reach places. It also remove's all of the lubercation so I can re-lube with out overlubing the piece. Make sure you wear eye protection. I also blow off the part's with compressed air for a little extra cleaning.