Author Topic: cleaner  (Read 6777 times)

Offline Nate McKenzie

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cleaner
« on: March 23, 2009, 05:55:54 PM »
Has anyone tried Simple Green cleaner from the grocery store to clean black powder guns? Seems to work very well for me.

Daryl

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Re: cleaner
« Reply #1 on: March 23, 2009, 06:01:17 PM »
I've heard of mixing it with water and windshield antifreeze - or maybe it's only when cleaning.  I've started putting a very small amount of hand load in the cold water when cleaning my guns. It seems to help as a wetting agent. Abotu eny soap would work - I'd be careful with detergents - some chemicals that are in detergents might not be good for the bore - don't knwo on this - ordinary soap works and so does water with the absence of soap.  35 years of cleaning without soap & no rust shows that works.

Offline t.caster

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Re: cleaner
« Reply #2 on: March 23, 2009, 06:04:16 PM »
I've been using diluted Simple Green for many years. Good stuff! I also keep it in a small antique bottle in my bag, it cleans my rifle and me when I'm done shootin!
Tom C.

Offline hanshi

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Re: cleaner
« Reply #3 on: March 23, 2009, 06:24:37 PM »
I've never found black powder hard to clean up.  Plain water does fine but I'm always on the lookout for something better - different, whatever.  I carefully read the posts on this forum searching for good tips.  Simple Green sounds like something to try.  What is it, exactly; a soap, detergent, etc.?
!Jozai Senjo! "always present on the battlefield"
Young guys should hang out with old guys; old guys know stuff.

Offline Roger Fisher

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Re: cleaner
« Reply #4 on: March 23, 2009, 06:34:02 PM »
I've never found black powder hard to clean up.  Plain water does fine but I'm always on the lookout for something better - different, whatever.  I carefully read the posts on this forum searching for good tips.  Simple Green sounds like something to try.  What is it, exactly; a soap, detergent, etc.?
Bout 20 percent in water!  The simple green does not hinder the cold water from it's mission to clean the rifle/gun and it cleans up the shooter's hands after shooting! It also shows you where your small/and large hand cuts are ::)
Works for me and makes it looks as though I know what I'm doing ;)
« Last Edit: March 23, 2009, 08:29:31 PM by Roger Fisher »

Offline hanshi

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Re: cleaner
« Reply #5 on: March 23, 2009, 06:42:26 PM »
I'll definitely try it.  If it can clean bp residue off your hands it has to be good.  When I'm shooting often my hands stay smudged with fouling; can't seem to wash it off.  Does the same thing in the barrel, I guess.
!Jozai Senjo! "always present on the battlefield"
Young guys should hang out with old guys; old guys know stuff.

Offline Frizzen

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Re: cleaner
« Reply #6 on: March 23, 2009, 08:15:25 PM »
I have been using just water also, but after trying lots of different cleaners I use "winter"
windshield washer solution. Been using this for 20 years now. Really works GREAT and
is cheap. This is the blue color stuff.
The Pistol Shooter

Offline hanshi

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Re: cleaner
« Reply #7 on: March 23, 2009, 08:24:07 PM »
Frizzen, straight or diluted?
!Jozai Senjo! "always present on the battlefield"
Young guys should hang out with old guys; old guys know stuff.

Offline Frizzen

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Re: cleaner
« Reply #8 on: March 24, 2009, 12:07:25 AM »
Straight!!
The Pistol Shooter

Offline Dphariss

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Re: cleaner
« Reply #9 on: March 24, 2009, 12:07:45 AM »
Use it well diluted if you do and have a natural oil finish. It will mar the finish on straight linseed oil if very high dilution or straight.
I don't use it for that. Weak cleaners are all thats needed so I use window cleaner cut with 2-3 parts water, have for quite some time. Cheap and works good.

Dan
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Offline Simon

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Re: cleaner
« Reply #10 on: March 24, 2009, 06:24:00 AM »
Simple green is a powerful de-greaser if used full strength.  I use it half and half with water to clean my diesel engine.  At full strength I have desolved wheel bearing grease.  It might desolve an oil finish if left on to long.

For the black residue on your hands, after using hand cleaner, soap etc , a little hydrogen peroxide will leave your hands looking good.I
Mel Kidd

Daryl

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Re: cleaner
« Reply #11 on: March 24, 2009, 04:54:16 PM »
That peroxide will find the cuts too.  Might be hard on hands - probably a mite nasty if it penetrates.  I use go-jo soap, which is a citrus soap with pumice - big orange plastic bottle with a pump on top.  It finds cuts too  but isn't too bad if you breeth in hard over your clenched teeth(tooth).

Offline JCKelly

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Re: cleaner
« Reply #12 on: March 25, 2009, 02:26:38 AM »
Grandfather told me that he cleaned his rifle with cold water.


   

Daryl

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Re: cleaner
« Reply #13 on: March 25, 2009, 03:59:09 AM »
TKS, JC - I just quit adding soap.  Taylor, I wonder if it was the brand of soap Peter used, that rotted his .40 - perhaps along with the constant flashing when cleaning

Offline JCKelly

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Re: cleaner
« Reply #14 on: March 25, 2009, 03:40:12 PM »
Soap has salt in it.

Salt rusts steel. Just look at any Michigan car that's survived a few winters here.

The guys who make the soap add salt because it helps the soap, hot & molten I presume, flow nicely through the piping in their system.

The guys who make soap also neutralize the excess caustic with hydrochloric acid.

Offline elk killer

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Re: cleaner
« Reply #15 on: March 25, 2009, 04:07:21 PM »
just plain cold water has always worked for me,,plus its cheap,,
as far as the black on your hands,,that just shows you had a good time,, ;D
only flintlocks remain interesting..

Offline hanshi

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Re: cleaner
« Reply #16 on: March 25, 2009, 06:37:21 PM »
I'm going to stop using any kind of soap and hot water for cleaning my barrels.  Cold water and bp solvents only from now on.  Good barrels are too precious to risk damaging.
!Jozai Senjo! "always present on the battlefield"
Young guys should hang out with old guys; old guys know stuff.

Candle Snuffer

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Re: cleaner
« Reply #17 on: March 25, 2009, 09:32:40 PM »
Well, for over 30 years I've used the solution of equal parts of, Peroxide, Alcohol, & Murphy's Oil Soap, for my cleaning.  Can't say as it has ever hindered nor harmed any of my barrels or locks, (just keep it off your stock), and after being 100% sure that my bore and all metal is clean and dry, (especially dry), I follow up with a lite coat of Sheath oil.

This formula ain't for everyone and many a folks pick it apart, which is their option, but it works for me and I'll use it 'till the day I die I reckon.  ;)