Alcohol as degreaser

[limpingbear]

I keep reading here and there that Simple Green is bad for aluminum. Is that an urban legend? I did see alloy parts getting a peeled look in a Beretta 92 INOX and in a 10/22 receiver.

They banned the use of Simple Green for use on aircraft while I was in the navy. It worked awsome for getting the surfaces clean, it made that paint job look almost new! The drawback was that over a relatively short time span the Simple Green caused a form of hydrogen embrittlement on the aluminum, and caused some pretty serious cracks in the skin.
No more Simple Green on aircraft.....

 

[YZ]

They banned the use of Simple Green for use on aircraft while I was in the navy. It worked awsome for getting the surfaces clean, it made that paint job look almost new! The drawback was that over a relatively short time span the Simple Green caused a form of hydrogen embrittlement on the aluminum, and caused some pretty serious cracks in the skin.
No more Simple Green on aircraft.....

That would rule out scrubbing the firearms. I wonder if Simple Green is a brand like Tylenol that may represent an ever changing mixed bag of ingredients.

Not to argue with you, I can't help recalling a highly respected, world travelled instructor who swore by Simple Green for his carry 1911.

 

[CZguy]

They banned the use of Simple Green for use on aircraft while I was in the navy. It worked awsome for getting the surfaces clean, it made that paint job look almost new! The drawback was that over a relatively short time span the Simple Green caused a form of hydrogen embrittlement on the aluminum, and caused some pretty serious cracks in the skin.
No more Simple Green on aircraft.....

The same thing happened to us in the Air Force. We even had simple green on bench stock at one time.

 

[OilyPablo]

http://industrial.simplegreen.com/ind_solutions_faqs.php?search_query=&btnShowAll=Show+All

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?p=451060

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

They banned the use of Simple Green for use on aircraft while I was in the navy. It worked awsome for getting the surfaces clean, it made that paint job look almost new! The drawback was that over a relatively short time span the Simple Green caused a form of hydrogen embrittlement on the aluminum, and caused some pretty serious cracks in the skin.
No more Simple Green on aircraft.....

It made the paint look "new" because it stripped a thin layer of paint off the surface. You could see it on the kimwipes after wiping down a painted surface.

I had a bottle leak on a metal shelf, the kind with the baked on enamal paint. When I finally discovered it, all the paint on the shelf where the Simple Green had sat was completely bubbled up and separated from the metal shelf. Wiped "clean" off in one pass when I was cleaning up that mess.

 

[YZ]

http://industrial.simplegreen.com/ind_solutions_faqs.php?search_query=&btnShowAll=Show+All

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?p=451060

Thank you for the link. So SG is alkaline with ph>9. Not strong enough to do damage in a brief exposure to aluminum alloys. Caustic enough to get aluminum on a prolonged exposure e.g. when not rinsed away or in the cracks. Chances are, older steel guns don't mind. I think I'll keep SG as a backup cleaner.

Done several cleanings with alcohol and a touch of M Pro 7. No brake cleaner. Result - excellent.

 

[dprice3844444]

all my pistols are dishwasher safe

 

[Clark]

The only problem I have had with Simple Green in the last 13 year of using it on guns is breathing it.

I put Simple Green is a plant spray bottle, went into the shower with dirty old guns started spraying.

The Simple Green mist in the air did not seem fit to breathe.

 

[YZ]

The only problem I have had with Simple Green in the last 13 year of using it on guns is breathing it.

I put Simple Green is a plant spray bottle, went into the shower with dirty old guns started spraying.

The Simple Green mist in the air did not seem fit to breathe.

Agreed. Non toxic but pungent. Best for bathing guns not showering.

 

[OilyPablo]

I agree Simple Green makes my lungs lock up tight.