CLEANER FOR POLYMER GUNS?

P

PLASTIC SIG

New member
Ive always used WD40 or brake cleaner for blasting out all that crud that builds up in the mechanism of my guns. This may be ok for all steel tools but what about my polymers?

Brake clean (or crud buster to some) works like a charm for blasting the majority of the crud. But its so harsh im afraid to try it on plastic. i would think this would either melt,discolor,warp or in some way damage the plastic. Not that im blasting the plastic with crud buster anyway, but since most of the mechanical parts are inside the frame it has to come in contact with the plastic.I dont want to be the first one to experement and come out with a gun that looks like its been in a fire. So which cleaner in a can is safe to use on plastic? i like the stuff that comes with a straw so i can get into the nooks and crannies with ease. Thanks in advance.

Tim :)
 
Well let's see what advice Martha Stewart would have for this: Simply test a small area that is normally unseen with a small drop of the cleaner. If the plastic melts or becomes gummy or discolored at all, don't use that particular cleaner. If none of these things happen, then it's a good thing.
 
Tim,

I read in the HK USP manual that it is safe to use brake cleaner and other common cleaning solvents on their polymer framed pistols. I don't make it a regular practise, but I use brake cleaner when the build up of "crud" looks bad enough to me. No ill effects so far.

What I usually do is use some compressed air to blow out the debris that collects in the frame. This goes a long way towards eliminating the build up of stuff. If you don't have an air compressor you can always use the "canned air" that is sold in computer stores.

Joe/Ga
 
I bought some Gun Scrubber and noticed the warning about possible damage to some plastics, so I was afraid to try it on my Glock. I asked about this on Glocktalk and several people have been using it with no ill effects, so I used it. It didn't damage the plastic any. The stuff is not cheap though, after this $6 can is empty I am going to investigate other options :)
 
I use Brake Cleaner regularly on all my guns, including the Glocks.

Brake cleare is safe for rubber seals on brake lines, so...

BTW, the Glock "plastic" is actually (from another 'net guru): "an out-sourced proprietary hybrid polymer mix with a base of Nylon 6. The frames are cast and offer high strength, wear resistance, abrasion resistance, and good resiliency, good ductility and toughness. Fracture mechanics are excellent with defect ratios below 1. Do not compare to extruded Nylons because it is different. Casting prices range from $3-$50/pound depending on process and intricacy. Commerical price for hi-grade Nylon 6 is about $3.50/lb. Commerical price for hi-carbon steel is about $1.50/lb. Sounds to me like the Glock is actually a better buy than most steel guns. The Glock is considered highly-intricate due to imbedded metallic components. Straight Nylon 6 offers long term performance at elevated and depressed temperatures. Chemically stable in a majority of environments, attacked directly by very strong acids and bases (better than steel actually). UV exposure results in degradation over an extended period of time. 2-3% carbon black virtually eliminates UV degradation and Carbon-Black does not become readily absorbed in Nylons offering higly increased useful life spans. Loss of mechanical properties with 2% Carbon-Black is less than 0.05% on an elevated UV exposure test equivalent to approximately 100 years."

FWIW

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Make mine lean, mean, and 9x19!
 
Simple Green is the solution for glocks. Cheep readily available and non toxic. Your wife wont complain about the smell either. Spray on, scrub with tooth brush, rinse under hot water, air dry.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bullwinkle:
Simple Green is the solution for glocks. Cheep readily available and non toxic. Your wife wont complain about the smell either. Spray on, scrub with tooth brush, rinse under hot water, air dry. [/quote]

I assume you aren't using your wife's toothbrush?
 
FWIW, here's another vote for Simple Green on Glock frames. Works fast and easy. Rinse well with *HOT* water, sling the frame to throw out most water and then just throw it into the dish drainer and go clean the rest of the gun. When you're done just apply lube to the rails and slap it back together. :)

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The Glock freak formerly known as Chris...
 
While fishing The Outer Banks of NC this past November, I saw and purchased a couple of large spray cans of a product called "Ballistol." What interested me originally in this lube was the ability to spray it on fishing reels without damaging the monofiliment fishing line on the spool.

I have been using it on my firearms and find that it does a great job for lubrication and cleaning. It's an ideal product for Glocks and other poly framed guns.

Here is the URL. http://www.ballistol.com/ Read about it and I think you might want to try some. I am not involved with company, just a satisfied customer.
 
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