Cleaning rag?

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presta24

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What kind of rag should I use to wipe my gun down? Also, what kind of surface do you clean your gun on? Does it matter? I was thinking cardboard to absorb any excess oils. Gave my new G26 a cleaning tonight. I just used a old sock to wipe the gun down. Used ballistol for the barrel and a new toothbrush on the receiver.
 
Sounds good to me.

Here's what I do. I'm one of those old school people that still likes to wear undershirts. When they got older and shrink or are beat up they become gun rags. There are three stages of gun rag. The newest one gets used to wipe them off before they go back in the case or the safe. The next newest one gets used for mopping down excess oil or lube when doing cleaning. The oldest one gets used for wiping off carbon and other grossness. By the time it's at the oldest stage it's a wonderful shade of grey, that's how gross it is. With every shirt that gets retired, the crappiest one gets thrown out and the other two move to a less pleasant existence. It's OCD, but it's me.
 
Cardboard... or a gun cleaning mat will work well to work on.


Any low lint rag will work for cleaning and wiping down. I have old plain t-shirts that I cut up and use.
 
TunnelRat said:
Here's what I do. I'm one of those old school people that still likes to wear undershirts. When they got older and shrink or are beat up they become gun rags.
Click to expand...

I do pretty much the same, I found those cotton undershirts work best for polishing too.

On a side note, people ask me all the time whats the point of wearing two shirts, I then point out that they are sweating through and staining their good shirts when my undershirt ends up absorbing mine, who's the idiot now :cool:
 
I have a pile of old towels out on the deck to dry the dogs off with after they have been swimming in the lake. I sometimes use one of those as a cleaning surface. I am also a T-Shirt fan. :)
 
I use a patch of old cotton from a shirt. As far as surface, i do the same thing i have done since i was a boy. Setup on some sort of table, lay down some newspaper and go to town. If the table i am using is long enough for a gun cleaning mat, i'll use that too.
 
Knit type dishcloths work well too.

Don't use terry cloth type. The fuzzy knit like on bath towels... Too much lint.
 
Those red cloth shop rags, Tee shirts, and microfiber cloths all work well for cleaning and wiping down pistols and rifles. I use an old towel and newspapers on the work bench as a surface.

Everything but the newspaper is washable and reusable.
 
I use a gun cleaning mat and terry towels the type of which you see in bars and restaurants. Sam's had four dozen of them for six bucks or so some years back. I've never noticed a problem with lint.

I also use a toothbrush and agree with the above mentioned LOTS of Q-tips. Have a brass bristled toothbrush looking thing for occasional carbon buildup. Think I got the last one for a dollar at Goodwill, before that in the automotive section at the grocery store. Had to laugh at the exact same thing for seven bucks at a gun shop.

I'm also a fan of Bore Snakes. I use a solvent soaked bronze or brass bore brush first, then the snake in lieu of patches.
 
I was just old enough to get issued the ugly brown BDU undershirts at OSUT. And promptly had to switch to ACUs.

So, like the above posters, as those become shrunk from repeated washings and gross from lots of church league softball, they make there way into the gun cleaning tackle box.

Also, a couple of red handkerchiefs live in my range bag, at my work bench, and atop the gun safe.

My ladyfriend uses an assortment of old sorority and fraternity t-shirts as well.

I got a mat on sale from MidwayUSA that is able to be washed off after use so to get rid of excess chemicals. Also has a nifty cutaway drawing of an M-16 on it.
 
Wipe down? I like a silicone rod and rel cloth. Of course I need to wipe with a clean rag before use, as it's a little slickery

I use cardboard a lot too. bear in mind that you've probably made a really nice little fire-starter out of that cardboard though
 
OLD T-shirts that have been washed enough times they don't shed lint. I cut a rough 8" square, drip a little oil on it & store it in a baggie. Usually they last a couple of years with a top up of oil, plenty of time to prepare an immediate replacement when they wear out.

Yes, dear, I do wash it before transitioning from "skivvies" to an "oily rag".:p

As for what to clean on I use a 14" square piece from a sleeping/yoga/Pilates mat. (don't tell the Mrs, she hasn't done any of those in 5 years & I don't expect an immediate re-start):D:eek:
 
Don't I feel like the odd man out. I use a store bought gun mat and store bought gun cloths. I do chop up tee shirts for barrel cleaning duty.
 
The blue, cheap microfiber towels from Walmart work great. They are soft, no lint and wipe down great. One for oiling, one for wipe down and one folded for underneath like a mat. 3 may cost $3. They wash up nice as well.
 
Every few years I pick up a package of cloth baby diapers.
They are soft, durable, lint and chemical free.
A package will last me 5-10 years.
 
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