Synthetic Motor Oil to Lube/Protect, What to use as a Cleaner

[Supermoto]

http://www.uniquetek.com/site/696296/product/T1254

This stuff works awesome. I rarely use any cleaners on my guns, just a shop rag. But since I won 2 bottles of this cleaner at a match, I figured I would give it a try. I put in the comp,let it sit for a bit and was able to scrap out lead and poly coating much easier then normal. And a little bit went a long way in cleaning the rest of my gun, which is good because it is retard expensive.

 

[Sweeney]

I've been using Ballistol for a while. I have a rag that's saturated with it which I use to periodically wipe down my firearms...wood, metal, leather slings. I use it, diluted with water for the bores on my black powder guns or when shooting corrosive ammo. I'll soak parts in it as it's very good at dissolving carbon.

It emulsifies in water and when the water evaporates it leaves the Ballistol behind which forms a greasy/waxy coating.

For heavier mechanisms I use a graphite/moly grease.

 

[Chet0729]

Non chlorinated brake cleaner does a good job cleaning and motor oil for lube. I also use a very light coating of grease on the slide rails. The grease does pickup a little more dirt but it minimizes the metal to metal contact.
If the gun is real dirty I strip it down and use the ultrasonic cleaner. Comes out like new but more attention needs to be paid to insure proper lubrication.

 

[todd c]

I use rubbing alcohol for cleaning its cheap and works good. then i lube everything with mobile 1 synthetic.

 

[FreeWillie]

Friday I tried that on my AR's BCG and it worked well. I am leery though because it is water based.

Follow it with WD40, wipe down, then lube.

Sent from the depths of Hell with TapaTalk V2

 

[Artie]

Lots of great info, just what I was looking for. Thanks to all

 

[Artie]

Where can I get Ballistol locally or do I need to go online? I am in the Attleboro area? Thanks

 

[AF83]

Do not use chlorinated brake cleaner....ask me how I know.

 

[Coyote33]

I use rubbing alcohol for cleaning its cheap and works good. then i lube everything with mobile 1 synthetic.

Will that break down or otherwise affect any plastic or rubber parts?

 

[Artie]

Thanks for reviving this thread Coyote33, just an update.

Since posting my questions 6mos ago in this thread I now use Hoppes exclusively for Cleaning and Mobile1 synthetic for Lube and Protection. For hard cleaning of the AR BCG I use non chlorinated brake cleaner. Haven't noted any issues or problems with finish or function and not pissing through cans of $10 Remoil.

 

[Arnaki]

Hi:
Sometime back (around 1960) an old gunsmith told me to use ATF for CLP of my guns, been using nothing but, ever since. I have yet to realize any adverse effects following his advice in almost 50 years and several dozens of handguns and rifles.

 

[Serapis]

I use a mix of Mobil 1 oil and mobil ATF for everything. Been so for some time now, and have no problems.

 

[sillyrabbit72]

I use ballistol to clean then mobil 1 synthetic oil and mobil 1 synthetic grease where needed

 

[ThePreBanMan]

For a cleaner I use non chlorinated brake cleaner. But it for cheap money at wally world. Then I use Hoppe's. Then mobile 1 to lube and a silicone spray (also cheap at wally world) as a rust inhibitor.

 

[Gammon]

Another cleaning thread, IBTL

I have always used Hoppe's No. 9 as my bore cleaner (Shooters Choice for rimfire) and aerosol RemOil w/ Teflon as my CLP. At $10-15 /10oz can, I need to find something else because I go through quite a bit of the RemOil. Although I like aerosol as the delivery method, I tried the non-aerosol Breakfree CLP and didn't like how it worked.

I have settled on trying synthetic motor oil after reading a bunch of the old threads at NES and elsewhere regarding synthetic motor oil vs anything else but am I wrong to think that the motor oil will only Lube and Protect? What can I use as a cheap, but effective, cleaner? Can motor oil clean, doesn't it have detergents? Carb/choke cleaner, non chlorinated brake cleaner, etc? Do these harm certain finishes, wood furniture and plastics.

Opinions advice. Thanks

I use synthetic motor oil in all of my guns with great results. For cleaning I use carb or brake parts cleaner for almost all of the firearm. I spend my $ on bore cleaners where I really need help. Also, if you like to soak your gun/parts, an ammo can full of mineral spirits will do a good job for short money and not a lot of odor.

PS I do not believe in using a lube as a cleaning agent.

 

[Love Machine]

What about cleaning polymer guns, like Glocks?

 

[Double Tap]

Thanks for reviving this thread Coyote33, just an update.

Since posting my questions 6mos ago in this thread I now use Hoppes exclusively for Cleaning and Mobile1 synthetic for Lube and Protection.

Which Hoppes do you use for cleaning? There's several types/blends.

 

[07Mustang]

I use ballistol to clean then Marvell Mystery Oil as needed.

 

[RImike]

Wasn't there quite an exhaustive test done on an other forum in which the guy did rust tests on metal and determined a few really good CLP lubricants? I can't remember where or when I saw it other that I vaguely remember WD40 Specialist and one shot coming it on top.

 

[Chet0729]

What about cleaning polymer guns, like Glocks?

Haven't you heard, you never have to clean a Glock

 

[VTJPM]

Look up Ed's Red. It is a mix of ATF and a bunch of solvents. https://home.comcast.net/~dsmjd/tux/dsmjd/tech/eds_red.htm

also for simpler formulas http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tips/archive_tips.htm/53

Ed's red cannot be used indoors because of the acetone, (VOC).

 

[Artie]

Which Hoppes do you use for cleaning? There's several types/blends.

#9 bore cleaner for everything. I was trying to get away from multiple products and this jas worked well...so far.

 

[Coyote33]

Ed's red cannot be used indoors because of the acetone, (VOC).

That is what nail polish remover is. Don't tell pretty much the entire country full of polish wearing women.

Not nearly as bad as using ether to start a 2-stroke chain saw in the basement. That used to tick my mother off something fierce.

How about toluene?

 

[enbloc]

Odorless mineral spirits.

+1

 

[71montess]

Ed's red cannot be used indoors because of the acetone, (VOC).

I clean my guns in a bodysuit with gloves and army/navy store gas mask, outdoors all weather.