Environmentally Safe and Biodegradable Degreaser

[bitp]

I've got a new CM9 that needs to go through the proper prep. I've read that a many people use brake cleaner, but I would much rather avoid those chemicals. I happen to have a bottle of Purple Power Citrus Cleaner (http://www.clean-rite.com/purplepower_citrus_cleaner.html) which as the manufacture describes is a "powerful auto/shop degreaser". Would this work or would it be harmful to the parts?

I'm new to gun cleaning in general, so please be kind.

[Thunder71]

Blood, sweat and tears. :)

[rjt123]

Citrus, to me would indicate the possible presence of citric acid. I try to keep things like acid (even a weak one like citric acid) away from metal parts. If you're determined to go a non-conventional route, more power to you...but I would skip this one if it's me.

[bitp]

Citrus, to me would indicate the possible presence of citric acid. I try to keep things like acid (even a weak one like citric acid) away from metal parts. If you're determined to go a non-conventional route, more power to you...but I would skip this one if it's me.

Interesting. The back of the bottle explicitly lists some common uses that include metals:
Auto - Tires, Engines, Underbody, Vinyl seats, Rubber mats, Dashboards, Carpet, Chrome
Outdoor - ..., Lawnmowers, Tools

Regardless, I'm definitively not in the know and that's why I'm seeking all of your opinions. I'd rather not purchase break cleaner if it isn't necessary. If the citrus cleaner idea is shot down, would CLP be good enough for the prep or should I really be using brake cleaner?

I would like to know about more environmentally safe and biodegradable gun cleaning products.

Thanks again

[OldLincoln]

It's hard to say what all will or will not work as we know the things we've promoted works. What makes the brake cleaner work so well is it's a spray with the little tube to stick into the striker channel flush out hole. It has a lot of force and pushes the stuff out. The chemicals are harsh and break down the gunk that gets into the channel from the breach keeping it clean.

If you don't want to use the chemicals, the alternative would be to detail strip the upper, removing the striker and manually clean out the striker channel. However, you don't want to use any CLP that leaves a wet lubrication. It is recommended to not lube that channel at all. I follow that recommendation and use the spray.

For the rest of my gun, I use Gunzilla, a vegetable based CLP that claims to leave a dry lubricant that does not gunk up. I also use TW25, a synthetic grease which works very well.

So you can do it the easy way with the spray, or the hard way detail stripping the slide. Whichever way, it is important that it be done.

[Tilos]

If going the bio route, I use Simple Green.
I had some other "purple" cleaner (Castrol) that turned clear anodize cloudy.
just sayin'
Tilos

[Chuck54]

Anybody tried "Frog Lube" ?


I think it is supposed to be safe for everything and smell good too.


I have not seen it on the shelves locally.

[Bawanna]

I agree with Old Lincoln on this one. The magic of the brake cleaner is the power of the blast and the strong cleaning chemicals.

In lieu of that I'd detail strip the slide the first time, and then you can clean with anything you want. Q tips down the channel, wipe the striker down. Leave it all dry or lube and then wipe it all off if your like me and feel like you gotta do something. Just don't leave anything for debri to adhere too and your good.

I suspect if you took it down every 3 or 4 range visits it would stay plenty clean enough. After the first time or two you'd be able to tell how much stuff accumulates and clean accordingly.

A can of compress air may be enough to blow stuff out but of course would not cut anything lose thats stuck in there.

[bitp]

What about a soak and swish around in Simple Green? I just came across this older thread (http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=2150) where a user suggested using it.

[Tilos]

There's an echo in here...see #6
I don't know, maybe it's me, but I usually read ALL the posts in a thread I start.
Tilos

[getsome]

Hi bitp, Again the little tube in the slide firing pin clean out hole uses pressure to clean out the gunk and any dirt or carbon in the lower frame and trigger area...I have used non chlorinated brake cleaner before and it won't hurt plastic but it is pretty harsh, smells bad and hurts like he!! when you spray it in your eyes!!!:eek: always wear safety glasses...I like to use electronic cleaner in a spray can which any auto parts store will have...It is harmless to plastic, has no odor and is easy on your hands...I don't think I would use something like Simple Green on a gun as you would have to use water to rinse it out...The electronic cleaner works great and leaves no residue at all... good luck...

[OldLincoln]

Simple Green is 78% water according to their MSD thing. I don't care for the idea of putting water into my striker channel. Sure you can get it out, but will you get all the moisture or leave enough to start corrosion? If I used that I'd rinse out the channel with rubbing alcohol which as an affinity for water and will help. But then I'd dry it with a hair dryer and leave it open overnight.

[bitp]

There's an echo in here...see #6
I don't know, maybe it's me, but I usually read ALL the posts in a thread I start.
Tilos

Hey, I did read your post and I appreciate your contribution. No one commented so I wanted to bring it up again since I came across another user mentioning it in the post I cited.


Simple Green is 78% water according to their MSD thing. I don't care for the idea of putting water into my striker channel. Sure you can get it out, but will you get all the moisture or leave enough to start corrosion? If I used that I'd rinse out the channel with rubbing alcohol which as an affinity for water and will help. But then I'd dry it with a hair dryer and leave it open overnight.

I agree, if one goes this route it would require a blow dryer to heat and remove the water. Flushing with rubbing alcohol is a good idea also, thank you.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet, but I thought it would be an interesting discussion. I need to figure it out soon as I'm hoping my mil-comm arrives soon and I can start breaking in the new CM9. :)

[jocko]

every cleaner mentioned from soapy water to non cholorinate brake cleaners will do the same job. Some will take longer, some cleaners aremore expensive "just because" they can .Use what u like, take what we allsay as SUGGESTIONS. WhatIam found of is not "gospel". I use whatI use becuase it is handy, it is low in price and it harms nadda, every gucleaner willdo the same, some smell better than other. I wold recommend every cleaner used to have some rubber gloves on, just makes senjse, if the cleaner5 is taking oil and gtrease away from the guns parts, It will take the oil out of your skin and dryness will occur, simple hand lotion after a good cleaning won't harm anything either.

\Justr use common sense with any cleaner, becuasse it is labeled "GREEN" DOESNT MEAN IT IS SAFE. Theser guns (all guns) are rugged, theyaint ***** guns, they ain't goona degrade. Keep um clean, keep um lubed. they will go bang every time..

[jocko]

Hi bitp, Again the little tube in the slide firing pin clean out hole uses pressure to clean out the gunk and any dirt or carbon in the lower frame and trigger area...I have used non chlorinated brake cleaner before and it won't hurt plastic but it is pretty harsh, smells bad and hurts like he!! when you spray it in your eyes!!!:eek: always wear safety glasses...I like to use electronic cleaner in a spray can which any auto parts store will have...It is harmless to plastic, has no odor and is easy on your hands...I don't think I would use something like Simple Green on a gun as you would have to use water to rinse it out...The electronic cleaner works great and leaves no residue at all... good luck...

stuff, but for me way to expernsive for cleaning a gun. I useit though aroundmy computer and electrical parts on my bikes and car. I stillpu87t on rubber gloves for protection.....

[1slinginlead2]

I've got a new CM9 that needs to go through the proper prep. I've read that a many people use brake cleaner, but I would much rather avoid those chemicals. I happen to have a bottle of Purple Power Citrus Cleaner (http://www.clean-rite.com/purplepower_citrus_cleaner.html) which as the manufacture describes is a "powerful auto/shop degreaser". Would this work or would it be harmful to the parts?

I'm new to gun cleaning in general, so please be kind.

I used to use Purple Power Power Clean to strip paint off my model cars when i was younger. I haven't used the citrus stuff but that purple power is very harsh stuff. If you want something not so harsh try M Pro 7. It's non-toxic,non-hazardous,bio-degradable and non-flammable,doesn't choke you because it's oder-less. I think it works pretty good well.

[DaveInCA]

I use simple green in my ultrasonic cleaner. It works very well, just make sure you rinse it off with clean water and blow it dry with compressed air.
Put oil on anything that can rust ASAP. I had magazine springs that started to rust in only 10 minutes. Keep in mind there are springs under the striker block and in in the extractor channel.
You will still need to use a "real" cleaner on the inside of the barrel. I've had good luck with Gunzilla and it's supposed to be more friendly than most.

As far as the striker channel goes I think the trick is the pressure to blow the derbies out the firing pin hole. You could try soaking the entire slide in simple green, rinsing, and then using an air compressor with a rubber tip or a can of "canned air" to blow it dry. I've taken to putting a bit of Tri-Flow in the hole when I'm done. It's a very thin, light lubricant, but others swear that no lube is better.

[kenduc999]

How about Ballistol? Biodegradable, made from some plant oils, and I find it works great! You don't have to use gloves to clean with it, but I like to keep the lead nastiness away from my hands. Best part is you can get it anywhere, and you don't have to re-lube after you clean, because it does both. Although I prefer to use molybdenum grease on the rails. I have it in an aerosol spray, and a regular can, so I can soak patches in it.
One thing to note is: It isn't the "instant grime melter" that brake cleaner is..so I just run a soaked patch through the bore at the very beginning of cleaning, and by the time I'm done cleaning the rest of the gun, the bore can be cleaned very easily.