Is it o.k. to use a chemical degreaser on a polymer framed gun?

[williegee]

I used Birchwood Casey Gun Scrubber/Solvent on my Glock 19 and I was really surprised at how much gunk came off the gun and how clean the gun got. I didn't realize until after I used it that the can said that it may be harmful to wood and plastic. Technically, the Glock frame is polymer, so is it safe to use or am I going to melt my gun if I do it again?

 

[boofus]

I've used it on Glocks, H&K's and my Steyr SPP and it doesn't seem to hurt the plastic. Just be careful of the markings on any guns you clean with it. It has a nasty habit of eating away the red and white paint used on safety selectors. With the glock you don't have that problem though. And don't make the mistake of using it to clean guns without goggles! The stuff will burn your eyeballs for about 20 minutes if it splatters in there.

 

[James Bondrock]

The formulation of plastic used by Glock is OK for all known cleaning solvents, including the spray degreasers. These will, however, attack some plastics. I spritzed the follower of a Pro-Mag magazine with Gun Scrubber once, and had to run to a faucet and rinse it off with water (it was the only thing I could think of to do at the time), because the part started melting before my eyes. So be careful with the harsh sprays around plastics other than Glock frames.

 

[JohnKSa]

Also be very careful when using anything not designed specifically for use with firearms.

I used to use ether for some degreasing/cleaning chores, but it will melt the polymer in Ruger pistols.

 

[10-Ring]

Oh Geez I hope not! I've used it to get the nooks & crannies of my USPs and haven't had any problems, yet.

 

[BerettaNut92]

The stuff will burn your eyeballs for about 20 minutes if it splatters in there.

No kiddin'. I don't think I ever ran so fast in my life....

 

[Sven]

wear glasses when using solvents and open the doors and windows

 

[Benjamin]

when in doubt, use simple green. Much less hazardous than spray brake cleaner.

 

[Black Snowman]

Hard plastic grips on older guns seem to be the most likely to suffer from degreasers. I've seen a pocket Beretta's grips soften from Gun Scrubber enough that in finishing the cleaning process there is now finger prints permanently embeded in the grips.

I've never heard of a polymer frame having a problem.

 

[TonyB]

Yeah,the Glock armorer's video says you can use GunScrubber on Glocks..I haven't yet(I clean it too much,so it never really gets too dirty)But I plan to use it .

 

[Tropical Z]

I emailed Hoppes about its use on polymer framed guns and they assured me it was safe to use.For degreasing,i stick to mineral spirits.

 

[alwims]

Ruger MKII

I used it on one of my Ruger MKII's and it melted the grips. It cleaned the metal great. A side benefit was it gave me the excuse, (with the wife), I needed to purchase the wood grips I wanted.

 

[bountyhunter]

Glock polymer will not melt when hit by Gunscrubber (which is merely acetone), but I have read that over time it will leach chemicals out of the polymer and make it brittle. I wouldn't use it on any plastic. I would use mineral spirits (naptha) and a soft brush. It is an excellent cleaner and doesn't strip all the oil off and leave it bone dry... which can lead to rust in places you don't normally look. A gallon can of naptha is about $7 at Home Depot.

 

[bountyhunter]

wear glasses when using solvents and open the doors and windows

But, it takes a lot longer to get stoned if you leave the windows open.

 

[mdsteele]

I've been using a cheap carb cleaner for a few years now. After seeing how good it cleaned my Edelbrock 600 on my chevelle, I thought, why not use it to blast the gook off my guns?

I have saw no ill effects. With all the plastic and rubber parts in a carb that it don't damage. I see no reason not to use it.

It blast them clean and then "goes away"(what's the word for that?)

Anyway, it works on my glocks, smiths, rugers, remingtons, bushmasters, taurus, naa and so on with no probs so far.

99 cents a can is a far cry from 8 bucks a can.

 

[Blueduck]

I use non-Chlorinated brake cleaner on my guns including Glocks with no problems. Same stuff as Gun Scrubber but much cheaper. I was initially told at a training class to avoid carb cleaner as certain brands might have some ill effects, but as noted above I know lots of people who use it without problems.

Do know gun scrubber WILL EAT factory Walther TPH grips.

 

[FireInTheHole]

How to clean a gun.
1)Field strip, scrub parts with nylon brush and small amount of hoppes #9
2)Degrease with cheapo $2 can of wally world brand brake cleaner
3)Place parts in front of fan blowing vapors outside
4)Relube critical points with lubricant of choice.

Spray acetone (Gunscrubber, brake cleaner, etc) is harmless when used on glock frames.

It does seem to leach all oils from the surface of the plastic leaving a white appearance.

Solution: reapply a light film of oil on the frame and rub clean.

 

[mpthole]

From the FWIW department... I've been using Gun Scrubber on my H&K's almost exclusively for some time now. After many, many cleanings I started to get light primer strikes on some rounds in my USPc .45. It was happening with both my reloads and factory ammo. I sent it to H&K in Virginia. They returned it saying that some of the internal parts were so dry that they weren't functioning. So they lightly lubed those parts, test fired and returned it. It now functions flawlessly again.

Now, I'm carefull not to completely hose it down with Gun Scrubber and to put a little LSA on the hammer spring before I reassemble.

 

[CMcDermott]

Carb Cleaner contains lubricants (waxy oils) that remain behind on the gun after the solvents evaporate, the brake cleaner (and GunScrubber etc.) is totally free of such lubricants.

Some people feel that the lubricants will tend to build up in the crannies til they cause a problem, then are next to impossible to remove. Same feelings that some have against using WD40 as a gun lubricant/cleaner. Other people feel that the lubricant film will protect their guns from rusting and won't cause buildup problems.

 

[DrDremel]

Do not use any of this stuff on a Camp Carbine unless you want to melt the plastic. That is the only gun that did not work.