Substitute for Gun Scrubber?

[FireInTheHole]

Hi,
I've been using Gun Scrubber alot for my rifle and beretta....

$7 for a 16oz can is starting to hurt. Anybody know of a good --cheaper-- alternative... besides elbow grease?

 

[Steve Smith]

Brake cleaner.


I could be wrong...not sure what you use Gun Scrubber for. For general clean-up, brake cleaner works great.

 

[FireInTheHole]

I generally scrub down with hoppes #9 and then spray off the residue with the gun scrubber. Seems to work better than compressed air...

I think I'll pick up a can of brake cleaner and give it a shot. Thanks.

 

[Black Snowman]

Both gun scrubber and brake clieaner be careful of plastic parts. Anything that doesn't leave a residue will normally get the job done. I'd recommend electrical parts cleaner but it's not really any cheaper than Gun Scrubber.

Anyone try an automtotive parts cleaner?

 

[FireInTheHole]

I avoid getting gun scrubber on my g22's frame but for the fal and 92fs the amount of plastic is negligible. Besides, I have yet to see any reaction with the polymer grips on the 92fs or the furniture on my fal.

I did squirt some into a storage bucket I had laying about.... it dissolved part of the bottom.

Lesson learned: Avoid getting on glock frame!

EDIT: PS mods, you can move this to the gunsmithing/parts section it is alittle off topic.

 

[sm]

CRC BraKleen ( red can) at NAPA

Never had a problem with Glocks, Keltecs...
Oh I like this brand too because it really blasts...bees @ 5 -7 yds great for eye/hand coordination...I even use the stuff on guns, if any left, after the bees and cleaning patio door tracks...

 

[larryw]

Brake Cleaner: same stuff as Gun Scrubber, it just comes in a less expensive can.

I use it to blast out the frame on my USPs with no problems, but it will eat ABS on contact and will remove paint/varnish. Remember, the primary component here is acetone.

 

[treeprof]

Polymer frames (like Glocks) are not harmed by Gun Scrubber or Powderblast and polymer stocks on rifles ought to be the same. It's cheap plastic screw-on grips and what-not that are the problem, a few of which I have, shall we say, chemically altered. Test it on a non-exposed portion of the part - a little blast'll tell you what you need to know. Also, I've found the instructions pretty helpful.

BTW, brake cleaner works fine.

 

[Kor]

Slightly off-topic...

re1973 mentioned squirting bees with CRC Brakleen, which reminded me of the time I sprayed a cricket with GunScrubber...that obnoxiously noisy li'l sucker jumped about 2 feet straight up in the air, landed on its back and began doing the kickin' chicken so hard that it twisted both its back legs completely off. It didn't actually quit twitching and die until about 45 minutes later. Since I HATE crickets with a passion(at least roaches are quiet and mostly discreet), I thought that was just the coolest thing.

Still, that got me thinking about just exactly what they put in that stuff - and do I really want to be coming into contact with it?!?

 

[ShaiVong]

I can one up you on that one Kor!

Sprayed some BLACK FLAG (nasty!) on an annoying cricket on the porch. Did the ole twich and die routine. 5 min later, another cricket comes along and hops into the same area (within about 1ft) of the previous cricket. Before I can hose him he stops... and starts doing the twitch and die dance! By this time the area i sprayed was dry to the touch!

I need a can of that stuff for HD!

 

[CWL]

I've used brake cleaner since early 1990s on three Glocks and various other polymer/black plastic gun furniture.

Have yet to have one melt.

Sometimes you will get residue in the pebbled parts of the plastic, but a wipedown with an oily rag will clean this off.

Am going to try some automotive "GUNK" engine cleaner next time around, it's about 50 cents cheaper and supposedly less caustic.

 

[Destructo6]

Honda brand brake/contact cleaner in the black/blue can. Safe for plastic and paints.

 

[Steve Smith]

My understanding is that what we think is "residue" is actually the lack of oil on the surface. I have been told by Brakleen that it leaves zero residue intentionally because of safety concerns (residue on your brakes!) Wiping the surface with an oily rag returns moisture to the material.

FWIW, brake cleaner works very well when mating tranny/transfer cases. Spray everything with the cleaner, apply your silicone and gasket, and mate.

 

[fobb]

top engine cleaner

Go to your local GM dealer and get a can of GM Top Engine Cleaner.It is the same thing as Shooters Choice but about 1/3 of the price.I have used it for years.Works great.

 

[stevelyn]

Brake or carburator cleaner.

 

[Steve Smith]

fobb, I use that Top Engine cleaner as a bore cleaner...works GREAT.