My gun cleaning/work bench is in the back part of my basement and is not very well ventalated. So I was wondering what the side effects are to breathing the fumes from gun oil and cleaning solvent. What measures do you take to protect yourself? I already use disposable nitrile gloves, but would a mask or respirator be a good idea too?
Gun cleaning and fumes?
- Thread starter hobgob
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jcwit
member
Boy this was interesting.
What happened? Nows theres a 1st post.
What happened? Nows theres a 1st post.
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indiandave
Member
Have you tried a place in your house with a window? have you tried a porch?
If you just clean your guns once a week or so I would think you would be alright in the basement.
A paint supply place would have respirators If you are worried you could buy one and try it out.
If you just clean your guns once a week or so I would think you would be alright in the basement.
A paint supply place would have respirators If you are worried you could buy one and try it out.
You could always put a vent or small window in. A good concrete drill bit and a chisel will work. I have put vents in basements many times and had to remove block or concrete for windows. Not as bad as one would think.
If its just a couple guns a fan should work.
If its just a couple guns a fan should work.
jcwit
member
Wonder how mankind survived this long breathing all this stuff all these years.
Remember we're living longer now than ever before.
Remember we're living longer now than ever before.
RugerBob
Member
Theres fumes? I hope they ain't flameable , cuz I am usually smokin a butt as I clean.
jcwit
member
Man O man. That Hoppe's #9 is like cologne. Almost as good as the smell of Rem Oil.
glassman
Member
I don't mind the smell of hoppes but my wife hates it. I clean my guns on the back porch when the weather permits. Otherwise, I clean them in the kitchen when my wife isn't home and burn a candle for a while afterwards. If you have to stay in the basement, I guess a vent hood would be the best thing.
jcwit
member
Just another thought here. Is their a warning on the bottle, can, jar, whatever. Even qt. bottles of motor oil carry warnings.
In reality you probably have more to worry about from the fat & oil dripping off the Big Mac.
In reality you probably have more to worry about from the fat & oil dripping off the Big Mac.
Jed Carter
Member
If you cannot use these types of solvents in a well ventilated area, then use a respirator. Most indoor use of these chemicals is very dangerous to your health over the long term, read all labels and follow safety instructions, if you can smell it, it can hurt you. I do not use anything stronger than isopropyl alcohol, ever. It is strong enough to remove almost all deposits and powder residue. For the bore I use a mechanical type of cleaning solution, it scrubs away all fouling and no fumes to kill brain matter. Volatile organic compounds can kill you very quickly, or very slowly over time, much worse to your health than smoking. There is also another reason to use these types of chemicals in a well ventilated area... if you have pilot lites or even static discharge the fumes could ignite in a flash fire that is bad news for anyone around.
Boba Fett
Member
Wait, I thought breathing the fumes was part of the fun of cleaning your gun? 
Just kidding.
Well, certainly the side effects are a concern, so I would read the warnings on the product and/or their website. If you can't find any warnings, call the company and ask.
I wear the gloves like you do and I sometimes wear safety glasses if I'm spraying something I'm concerned about splashing back into my eyes.
I used to do all my work outside or in the garage with the windows and doors of the garage open. But then I switched to Hoppe's Elite line of cleaner which is non-toxic and biodegradable.
After that, no trips down the rabbit hole while cleaning the guns. And now I can do the cleaning pretty much anywhere and not worry about smelling or fuming the place up.
For the few products I still use that do require some good airflow, I just step outside and do what I need to and come back in to the garage and have a fan running to keep any remaining fumes away from me.
Hope that helps.
Just kidding.
Well, certainly the side effects are a concern, so I would read the warnings on the product and/or their website. If you can't find any warnings, call the company and ask.
I wear the gloves like you do and I sometimes wear safety glasses if I'm spraying something I'm concerned about splashing back into my eyes.
I used to do all my work outside or in the garage with the windows and doors of the garage open. But then I switched to Hoppe's Elite line of cleaner which is non-toxic and biodegradable.
After that, no trips down the rabbit hole while cleaning the guns. And now I can do the cleaning pretty much anywhere and not worry about smelling or fuming the place up.
For the few products I still use that do require some good airflow, I just step outside and do what I need to and come back in to the garage and have a fan running to keep any remaining fumes away from me.
Hope that helps.
Macmac
Member
probably not fer much longer you ain't.
Move the bench outside, or get some air in this tornado proof room. I take that to mean nearly air tight.
The fumes are not the best for you, but won't kill you either. I used to be a foreign car mechanic and was in chems and fumes for years.
I still am. Watch things like PB Blaster, Rem Oil, brake Kleen, carb cleaners, anything labled MEK, anything labled Carbon tet (dry cleaning fluid), Acetone, laquer thinner, others as bad...
Wash after handing copper and copper dust. Don't eat or drink before washing your hands and face. If you eat and taste a odd flavor stop eatting and go wash up. (make copper, silver and brass jewelry)
If you loads contain lead, go wash.. I bet this idea will come up in HR 45.
Duke of Doubt
member
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I'll huff, and I'll puff, but I WON'T huff Hoppe's Number 9. What a wicked buzz.
The Lone Haranguer
Member
Can you move to another room? This is not good. You can put down an area rug, plastic shields or other device to keep spills off the floor surface.
RugerBob
Member
Macmac- all I ever use is rem oil or wd-40. I don't use nothing to strong cuz the gun cleanibg room is also the computer room and the wifes sewing-crafts room. A good compromise for me. And both oils w get the job done. Bob
qajaq59
Member
A lot of guys simply clean their guns before they leave the range. I do mine outside.
Yosemite Sam
Member
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- Dec 4, 2008
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- 311
I always get a funky taste in my throat after I leave an indoor range. I must be inhaling and it can't be good over time...
But back on topic, hobgob, I'd try to do it outside or at least somewhere ventilated. Cancer ain't all it's cracked up to be, and Murphy strikes the healthiest of people...
But back on topic, hobgob, I'd try to do it outside or at least somewhere ventilated. Cancer ain't all it's cracked up to be, and Murphy strikes the healthiest of people...
what sort of respirator would be proper for gun cleaning safety? I will clean my guns outside when i can, but weather does not always permit me to do so. just put a fan in the work area too, so conditions are improving.
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shootistpd27
Member
Any will do from walmart in the paint section.
The fumes from paint and from gun cleaning solutions are similar in makeup and effects. I was once using a chemical adhesive in a bathroom I was remodeling and after about fifteen minutes I could barely walk. I got a simple respirator from walmart and no more problems. I would just buy a box fan and point it out the open door of the basement. It will pull out the bad fumes and force good air in.
The fumes from paint and from gun cleaning solutions are similar in makeup and effects. I was once using a chemical adhesive in a bathroom I was remodeling and after about fifteen minutes I could barely walk. I got a simple respirator from walmart and no more problems. I would just buy a box fan and point it out the open door of the basement. It will pull out the bad fumes and force good air in.
I clean my guns outdoors whenever possible. Next best is a fan facing out of an open window.
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lead
Don't forget the chamber and barrel residue is also loaded with lead styphenate from the primers. I have a child at home, so I never clean my guns indoors and always change clothes after shooting. I'll relax a bit (or a lot) when the kids grow up, but for now, better safe than sorry.
Don't forget the chamber and barrel residue is also loaded with lead styphenate from the primers. I have a child at home, so I never clean my guns indoors and always change clothes after shooting. I'll relax a bit (or a lot) when the kids grow up, but for now, better safe than sorry.
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