2 Solvent Questions, Polymer and Nickel

[Ringer]

1. What do you all use to clean polymer frames? I had been using CLP but it just doesn't seem to be all that great at serious cleaning. I use Hoppes on my steel guns but didn't think this would be good on polymer.

2. Nickel - Every thread I read about cleaning nickel says don't use ammonia. OK, got that, but what is a good cleaner that does not contain ammonia? Solvent labels don't seem to help. I have a nickel finish gun that has a lot of wear on it and don't want to risk anything with ammonia.

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[sm]

Simple Green works wonders on Polymer. So does hot soapy water.

In fact Hot soapy water is what was used "back in the day" - still used in this day and age for Blackpowder. Use hot water - which evaporates better. Air hose, hair dryer, or even a can of Dust Off ( canned air ) works.

Nickel , and the way it is done causes the problem. There is a copper base applied before the nickel is plated on. Zippo lighter Fluid had always worked for me.

Actually I have never had a Problem with G96 on any firearm finish. I believe it to clean better than Hoppe's - since Hoppe's changed the formula back when.

My one and only - and last, Polymer gun was last cleaned with CRC Brakleen , lubed with Castrol Syntec 0w30 ( the green stuff made in Germany hence called "GC" ) . All I do is wipe off the debris with pipe cleaners, q-tips, toothbrush here and there - add a bit of lube - and good to go .

I prefer Simichrome by Happich instead of Flitz on those rare occasions I need to polish a Nickel gun.

 

[Skirmisher]

G96 on my polymer guns-cleans, lubricates, and protects-all in one; plus it smells good. After rubbing off excess and letting it dry, all parts are slick and smooth. I really like it.

 

[OtG]

In fact Hot soapy water is what was used "back in the day" - still used in this day and age for Blackpowder. Use hot water - which evaporates better. Air hose, hair dryer, or even a can of Dust Off ( canned air ) works.

One thing I learned from cleaning bike chains is that dipping the freshly washed part in solvent alcohol will
a: get all the water out quickly (no rusting)
b: the alcohol will dry off more quickly than water.

I have tried drying chains off in the oven, but they just rusted even faster, from the heat.

I just use a 32 oz. Gatorade bottle and re-use the alcohol, even though it's cheaper than dirt (I'm "frugal") .

 

[Onmilo]

Polymer, nickle and the fact the stuff doesn't smell are the reasons I prefer M-Pro 7 gun cleaner to everything else on the market for general cleaning.

I still use Hoppes Benchrest as a copper remover but the M-Pro 7 does everything else and won't harm polymer or nickle guns.

 

[Ringer]

I was going to try the Shooters Choice "Polymer Safe Degreaser", and may still but I'll give the Simple Green a try also. I had forgot about M-Pro 7. I have never tried it either so may give it a shot also.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Wildalaska]

Dont think that Mp7 WONT harm finishes, it ate the Trigger guard of my Steyr SSG (admittedly a more sensitve plastic)...

Taught me a valuable lesson....if you arent using a bore guide you are not treating your gun right

WildbigmistakeAlaska

 

[stevelyn]

Be careful with MPro-7 on nickle finishes. Ordinarily it's a safe product. However, if you have a ding in the nickle surface, the MPro-7 will get under the plating and lift it off the surface.

 

[Onmilo]

Just to clarify the last two posts.

M-Pro 7 is safe for use on polymer gun parts.
Polymer is a highly advanced form of plastic that no longer resembles or acts like standard plastic.
M-Pro 7 is designed to dissolve plastic shotgun wad fouling and anything that resembles plastic fouling.
It is not safe for use on standard plastic parts though it does not appear to harm reinforced plastics such as those used on guns such as the Remington Nylon 77.
However I think nothing short of fire can totally destroy a Nylon 77 rifle.

ALL CLEANERS, not just M-PRO 7, can get under nickle plating through a flaw in the finish and lift the plating right off.
Same thing applies to polymer paint finishes too.

Ringer asked for suggested Polymer/Nickle safe cleaners.
M-PRO 7 is one of the very best, all slam attempts aside.

 

[stevelyn]

I don't believe WA or myself were trying to slam MPro-7. It's the only cleaner I use unless I need to remove copper fouling.
My cautionary statement was from Martin Niner, VP of MPro-7 who stated in a "Gun Talk" interview that caution should be used when cleaning a nickled surface.