Cleaning PM series

[taxifolia]

Think I read earlier recommendation for 3M non-chlorinated brake cleaner - NAPA part # 08880. Did I get it right ? Any problems using on the poly frames ?

Thanks, tax

[Bawanna]

I think you got it right down to the part #. I think Jocko uses that stuff for aftershave on the rare days that he dresses up.
I only use it for the striker channel so I don't get much on the polymer anyhow but it doesn't hurt it any.
Alot of guys here use it so you fella's chime in here and maybe this will be my 5th unofficial (I dont keep records and Jocko took away my first 4). correct answer.

[taxifolia]

Thanks again Bawanna. I forgot to say - plan is to use it on PM4544 - is it still OK on the black- finish slide ? I usually use synthetic safe Gunscrubber on my others.

tax

[Bawanna]

Thanks again Bawanna. I forgot to say - plan is to use it on PM4544 - is it still OK on the black- finish slide ? I usually use synthetic safe Gunscrubber on my others.

tax

I'm gonna let the others address that as I don't own a DLC gun "YET". Seems I've heard its ok, if gunscruber don't hurt it the brake cleaner won't either, it's basically the same stuff, but I don't want you wasting all that time and gasoline hunting me down and killing me when it washes the black off your shiney new gun.
I couldn't live with myself, course if you hunt me down and kill me I guess in retrospect that wouldn't matter much huh?
Everybody will wake up here pretty soon and we'll get some answers.
I gotta go rack leaves, racking leaves from a chair sucks! Maybe I'll just conjure up a big wind storm and blow em into the neighbors yard. Better.

[wyntrout]

The slide will look like hell from the brake-cleaner, but a rub-down with a little oil and a cloth make it like new.

Oh, and I hold the slide with a paper towel and shoot the brake cleaner in the underside hole AND into the striker pin hole while holding the striker back with my thumb. I then sling the excess off/out of the slide, being VERY careful not to sling the slide onto the concrete!
Standing on grass would be safer, I guess.

That brake cleaner should be used outside... nasty stuff... but not a bad cologne... kinda strong smelling, though.:D

Wynn:)

[Bawanna]

One thing I remember now, happens sometimes. Is that when you use that brake cleaner it will take all the shiney off the slide, just like gunscrubber. It'll basically look horrible. When you put oil back on it, all will get better.
We have a solvent tank at work that does the same. It takes every bit of oil off and leaves nothing behind. You have to be certain to relube everything or it'll actually turn white including your hands etc.
I don't even use it much prefering the detail clean with Hoppes or whatever. Most of the guys use it like a dishwasher for guns.
One reason I use the brake cleaner only for places I can't get to and even then sparingly.

[wyntrout]

Be careful with solvents... your painted-on or night sights can only tolerate so much solvent. We've had at least one guy who removed his white dots that way!:eek:

Wynn:)

[taxifolia]

I've used Gunscrubber on '43 Colts, also on Kimber Eclipse Ultras. Kimber recommended to me not to get GS on the black oxide, but hard to totally avoid. I always rub the finishes down with CLP after I lube post cleaning. My main concern would be damage to the finish of any of them, including PM4544.

tax

[wyntrout]

Unless you use something abrasive or corrosive, it shouldn't damage the DLC finish. It sure scared me the first time when the slide was all "frosty" and whitish-looking...:eek: But it cleaned up easily... with just a wipe down. A brass bush will transfer to it, too, but I got that off... still have some brass marks from ejected brass... FORWARD of the ejection port!

Wynn:)