gun cleaning table ?

rebs · June 2, 2012, 06:09 AM

I have a wooden table that I use for cleaning my guns on and have been thinking about carpeting it to protect my guns when cleaning them. Currently I just lay an old bath towel on it to set the gun and parts on. Would it be a good idea to carpet it or not ? I am also thinking about any Hoppe's #9 or other chemicals that will get on the carpet, will these chemicals evaporate or stay in the carpet ?

Bailey Boat · June 2, 2012, 07:16 AM

My "cleaning table" is carpeted and I don't have any issues with #9 or Breakfree (my 2 main cleaning solvents) but I spray them over a trash can, not the carpet.

dab102999 · June 2, 2012, 07:22 AM

I use an old baby quilt that i got from a thrift stire. Bout the same size as my table and then i just wash it with my work jeans.

rebs · June 2, 2012, 07:30 AM

I have extra of the 24" x 24" self sticking carpet squares and am thinking about sticking them right to the table. They are real short nap and would be no problem with loosing parts. I was just concerned about getting cleaning chemicals on it and then when I clean aanother gun the chemicals would get on the stock etc. ?

darrentxs · June 2, 2012, 07:43 AM

If I had a table just for cleaning guns like you, I'd go ahead with the carpet for padding and use a vinyl table cloth also on top of it.

That would be well padded, easily wiped down, and keep carpet fibers off your guns.

wingman · June 2, 2012, 07:50 AM

Lowes has a roll up rubber mat about 5ftx2ft that works perfect, soft and easy to wipe off, I've used one about two year still good have a spare on hand
not expensive less then $10. For me carpet becomes too dirty.

10 Spot Terminator · June 2, 2012, 10:53 AM

I put some of the indoor/outdoor carpet that resembles compressed wool on my cleaning bench and anchored it at the corners with 1 inch wide velcro strips . Periodically I remove it, take it down to the old self serve carwash when the truck is dirty and power wash it, shake the excess water off, hang it on the clothes line til dry and start over.

g.willikers · June 2, 2012, 04:43 PM

Cardboard.
It soaks up solvents and oils well.
Anything laying on top is easily cleaned off with a paper towel.
All is easily disposed of with nothing to clean up later.

jepp2 · June 2, 2012, 10:09 PM

I have been really happy with my Tipton gun cleaning mat. And you can wash it when it gets grimy.

Hardcase · June 3, 2012, 12:23 AM

I have one of those Tipton mats, too. I like it, but the real endorsement comes from my wife, since I clean the guns on the kitchen table.

FrankenMauser · June 3, 2012, 01:23 AM

Cotton rags over cardboard, on a glass-top computer desk I picked up for $5.

I can toss the cardboard when I'm done, without giving the wife a headache. (Not just complaints - actual headaches from the Hoppe's #9.)

The rags get saved. I bag them, and store them with my gun-cleaning supplies. When they're sufficiently dirty, they get turned into cleaning rags, and new ones take their place on the cardboard.

Stukaman · June 3, 2012, 01:23 AM

I bought a good quality shipping blanket folded it up and use it along with I e d those general use gun cleaning rubber mats works just dandy.

Ralgha · June 3, 2012, 08:41 AM

I have one of those Tipton mats too, works well. I'd prefer to trade a little of its length for some more width since I only have handguns, but it's not a big deal.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus that ate your iPhone.

Superhouse 15 · June 3, 2012, 10:17 AM

you can buy "puppy pads" designed for house training dogs. Padded absorbent (like a diaper) on one side and plastic on the other. It soaks up everything I've used with no damage. When you're done you roll it up and toss it.

Rembrandt · June 3, 2012, 10:54 AM

Available from most home improvement stores....door mats with carpet on one side, rubber on the back.

a7mmnut · June 3, 2012, 12:00 PM

MTM, Winchester, Hy-Skor, and a few others make really nice maintenance centers to care for your collection. I have a one piece box with stands from Action Manufacturing that has been priceless. I guess you can always clamp on a water bottle to your muzzle like Mr. Potterfield?

-7

BarryLee · June 3, 2012, 11:25 PM

Personally I would avoid using carpet since it can retain many of the contaminates associated with gun cleaning. I guess I am thinking about solvents, lubes, powder residue and even lead. I clean my guns over newspaper and simply toss it when done. I have an endless supply since they deliver fresh each day and I get to start with a clean workspace.

rebs · June 4, 2012, 05:17 AM

Thank you for all the replies, I am going to take a look at the 2' x 5' mat from Lowe's, I like the idea of it being 2' wide. I'll also take a look at the Tipton mat.

June 2, 2012, 06:09 AM	#1
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	gun cleaning table ? I have a wooden table that I use for cleaning my guns on and have been thinking about carpeting it to protect my guns when cleaning them. Currently I just lay an old bath towel on it to set the gun and parts on. Would it be a good idea to carpet it or not ? I am also thinking about any Hoppe's #9 or other chemicals that will get on the carpet, will these chemicals evaporate or stay in the carpet ?

June 2, 2012, 07:43 AM	#5
darrentxs Senior Member Join Date: May 5, 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 401	If I had a table just for cleaning guns like you, I'd go ahead with the carpet for padding and use a vinyl table cloth also on top of it. That would be well padded, easily wiped down, and keep carpet fibers off your guns. __________________ Happy Trails to You

June 2, 2012, 04:43 PM	#8
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Cardboard. It soaks up solvents and oils well. Anything laying on top is easily cleaned off with a paper towel. All is easily disposed of with nothing to clean up later. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

June 3, 2012, 12:23 AM	#10
Hardcase Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2009 Location: Sunny Southern Idaho Posts: 1,909	I have one of those Tipton mats, too. I like it, but the real endorsement comes from my wife, since I clean the guns on the kitchen table. __________________ Well we don't rent pigs and I figure it's better to say it right out front because a man that does like to rent pigs is... he's hard to stop - Gus McCrae

June 3, 2012, 01:23 AM	#11
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Cotton rags over cardboard, on a glass-top computer desk I picked up for $5. I can toss the cardboard when I'm done, without giving the wife a headache. (Not just complaints - actual headaches from the Hoppe's #9.) The rags get saved. I bag them, and store them with my gun-cleaning supplies. When they're sufficiently dirty, they get turned into cleaning rags, and new ones take their place on the cardboard. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

June 2, 2012, 07:16 AM	#2
Bailey Boat Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2006 Location: NC Posts: 365	My "cleaning table" is carpeted and I don't have any issues with #9 or Breakfree (my 2 main cleaning solvents) but I spray them over a trash can, not the carpet.

June 2, 2012, 07:22 AM	#3
dab102999 Member Join Date: April 12, 2012 Posts: 82	I use an old baby quilt that i got from a thrift stire. Bout the same size as my table and then i just wash it with my work jeans.

June 2, 2012, 07:30 AM	#4
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	I have extra of the 24" x 24" self sticking carpet squares and am thinking about sticking them right to the table. They are real short nap and would be no problem with loosing parts. I was just concerned about getting cleaning chemicals on it and then when I clean aanother gun the chemicals would get on the stock etc. ?

June 2, 2012, 07:50 AM	#6
wingman Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2002 Posts: 2,108	Lowes has a roll up rubber mat about 5ftx2ft that works perfect, soft and easy to wipe off, I've used one about two year still good have a spare on hand not expensive less then $10. For me carpet becomes too dirty.

June 2, 2012, 10:53 AM	#7
10 Spot Terminator Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2008 Location: Central Oregon Posts: 348	I put some of the indoor/outdoor carpet that resembles compressed wool on my cleaning bench and anchored it at the corners with 1 inch wide velcro strips . Periodically I remove it, take it down to the old self serve carwash when the truck is dirty and power wash it, shake the excess water off, hang it on the clothes line til dry and start over.

June 2, 2012, 10:09 PM	#9
jepp2 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2008 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,476	I have been really happy with my Tipton gun cleaning mat. And you can wash it when it gets grimy.

June 3, 2012, 01:23 AM	#12
Stukaman Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2010 Posts: 101	I bought a good quality shipping blanket folded it up and use it along with I e d those general use gun cleaning rubber mats works just dandy.

June 3, 2012, 08:41 AM	#13
Ralgha Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2011 Location: Oregon Posts: 123	I have one of those Tipton mats too, works well. I'd prefer to trade a little of its length for some more width since I only have handguns, but it's not a big deal. Sent from my Galaxy Nexus that ate your iPhone.

June 3, 2012, 10:17 AM	#14
Superhouse 15 Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2007 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 844	you can buy "puppy pads" designed for house training dogs. Padded absorbent (like a diaper) on one side and plastic on the other. It soaks up everything I've used with no damage. When you're done you roll it up and toss it.

June 3, 2012, 10:54 AM	#15
Rembrandt Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2002 Posts: 2,108	Available from most home improvement stores....door mats with carpet on one side, rubber on the back.

June 3, 2012, 12:00 PM	#16
a7mmnut Junior member Join Date: February 27, 2009 Location: NC Foothills Posts: 1,150	MTM, Winchester, Hy-Skor, and a few others make really nice maintenance centers to care for your collection. I have a one piece box with stands from Action Manufacturing that has been priceless. I guess you can always clamp on a water bottle to your muzzle like Mr. Potterfield? -7

June 3, 2012, 11:25 PM	#17
BarryLee Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2010 Location: The ATL (OTP) Posts: 3,946	Personally I would avoid using carpet since it can retain many of the contaminates associated with gun cleaning. I guess I am thinking about solvents, lubes, powder residue and even lead. I clean my guns over newspaper and simply toss it when done. I have an endless supply since they deliver fresh each day and I get to start with a clean workspace. __________________ A major source of objection to a free economy is precisely that it ... gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman

June 4, 2012, 05:17 AM	#18
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	Thank you for all the replies, I am going to take a look at the 2' x 5' mat from Lowe's, I like the idea of it being 2' wide. I'll also take a look at the Tipton mat.