Gun Cleaning/Service Mat?

[Roadwild17]

As I was getting paper plates and old rags together to clean the guns I started thinking about something I cold get to be a exclusively for cleaning and servicing of guns, some kind of mat.

I initially thought of a rubber mat, one like that little rubber strip bar tenders use to mix drinks on (about 3" X 2') with all the little fingers on to keep the glasses out of the split liquid. Then I thought about loosing pins & springs in the fingers, so I was wondering what else was out there that you guys are using?

 

[COMPNOR]

i just newspaper. but sportsmanguide and cheaperthandirt and other such places sell various size mats for cleaning guns.

 

[Acera]

I use a mat made for gun cleaning. Parts stay put, and the oil, solvent, other stuff don't seem to harm it. Sometimes I am kinda funny about using the right tool for the job.

 

[jhansman]

I use a Remington mat to clean and reload on, mostly 'cause I like the traditional feel it lends to my reloading room.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=824878

 

[Treo]

Craftsman makes a mat for the top of their rollaways that would work pretty well. Or you could use a pig mat.

 

[sm]

A tray, such as one uses going down the "All you can eat Buffet" works quite well for keeping parts from rolling away and getting lost.

Keep in mind some chemicals will hurt some materials, such as those trays are made of, and keep in mind parts can "bounce" off hard surfaces.

Old hand towel or shop rags lain in a TV Tray works well, and lessens the chance parts will bounce.

 

[ColinthePilot]

I cut up a rifle box and made two 3'X18" cleaning mats. They absorbed all the excess oils and solvents and whatnot and when they wear out, just cut up another rifle box.

 

[yeti]

Lining birdcages, wrapping fish, and cleaning guns, those are the reasons the New York Times is still printed. It'll put a nice shine on glass also.

 

[JohnBT]

I'm using the luggage cover from an '86 Subaru wagon, it takes about a minute to slice off enough to make a good, sturdy cleaning mat. I was going to upgrade to an '06 Forester cover, but I sold it with the car.



There must be zillions of these things hiding in corners and closets all over the world and free for the taking.

John

 

[deputy tom]

I use the cardboard boxes/trays that bottled water comes in.They are approx. 3" high and keep all the parts from rolling away and the cardboard absorbs excess Hoppes,grease,oil and ejecta removed from the guns.After they become quite dirty just throw in the trash.tom.

 

[ZeSpectre]

I mostly use an old HOPPES mat that I got for free. Generally doesn't allow chemicals to leak through and keeps parts from rolling/bouncing as well as protecting from scratches.

If I'm doing serious work down in the shop I have an old 18x24 stainless steel tray that I got from someplace and I put some disposable router padding in it to keep parts from rolling and bouncing.

 

[dcoop]

I use a beach towel that I got on close out for $2. Very soft and absorbent. For the small parts I use a magnetic parts tray I picked up from Harbor Freight. (around $3)

 

[bmitchell]

I use an old towel for my gun cleaning purposes, if I get further than a bore snake and a spraydown.

 

[esq_stu]

I use a mat made for gun cleaning. Parts stay put, and the oil, solvent, other stuff don't seem to harm it. Sometimes I am kinda funny about using the right tool for the job.

I have one of those green fuzzy mats with the rubber bottom. It keeps tiny parts from rolling away and getting lost, and so far has not leaked through. I have a long one for rifles and a small one for pistols. It does a great job and my wife lets me clean guns on the kitchen table because there's little mess - just roll it up.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/18308-1.html
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/18309-1.html

 

[Flame Red]

I usually like the cheap (or free) solutions to cleaning and lubrication. But one day at the gun show I came across a mat that looked like a wonderful desk blotter. Only thing is it had a logo for some bankrupt company on it.

This was perfect since I clean all my stuff on my desk. My wife loads up my work bench with crapola. It is soft, yet tough. Stuff won't roll and it seems to prevent any spills from seeping thru, unlike rags or cardboard. For $10 it is great. Kind of looks indestructible. Material on top feels like a pool table and the back is some non-slip 'rubber' like material that nothing seems to penetrate.

 

[Ske1etor]

You can pick up an "Outers" cleaning mat from academy for a couple of bucks. Mine is still in good shape after cleaning 9 or 10 guns hundreds of times. The top is carpet but the bottom is rubber to stop fluids from soaking through. When it gets dirty, take it outside and clean it up with carpet cleaner and let it hang dry.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Old bath towels

 

[Deanimator]

A friend had to put his mother in a nursing home in Canada, so he sold or gave away all of the stuff in her house. I ended up with her old '50s style folding kitchen table. That's my gun and computer maintenance table. When I clean guns, I just put an old white cotton towel down. It soaks up bore cleaner and lube and keeps parts from getting scratched or lost.

 

[Walkalong]

Old bath towels

Yep, or old hand towels, I'm not picky.

 

[jnyork]

You can yardsale a whole slew of bath towels for next to nothing, they work great. DONT wash them with your wife's nice white blouse!! :banghead: (dont ask!! )

 

[gregj]

I use the blue shop towels you can get at most parts houses in rolls like kitchen towels. I lay a couple down on my workbench, and then use sheets of the towels to clean and oil. They seem to work well, dont leave any fibers behind, etc.

 

[DeadCalm]

When no one's around the house, I set up on our big old kitchen table. I put down a cheap plastic-coated table cloth first, then newspapers. I would be boiled in Hoppe's if I wrecked the finish on the oak table. I don't know if solvents will eat the plastic since I never let it sit that long.
Hmmm . . .Boiled in Hoppe's . . .God, wouldn't that smell good?

 

[Bartkowski]

I have some old carpet that I use. Not thick carpet, it's like the stuff you see in hotel hallways. It works well enough and was free so no complaints here.

 

[Carlos Cabeza]

I use some old ESD type vinyl material. It's about an 8th of an inch thick and is impervious to most chemicals. It is used in the manufacture of circuit boards and other sensitive electronics assy.

I also have some heavy marine type carpeting that is some really tough stuff. You can get a piece from the boat store really cheap. It has just enough texture to keep things from rolling or moving around while you work.

 

[DeadCalm]

Carlos, I like your suggestions. Pardon the ignorance, but what is "ESD-type" vinyl? Thanks.