Gun Scrubber Caveat

G

gyvel

New member
A caveat regarding Gun Scrubber:

As a former employee of a major airline, it was verboten to us to use any kind of solvent/cleaner that contained trichloroethylene on a titanium part. (Used frequently in many engine/airframe parts.) I witnessed first hand the destruction of a very expensive titanium engine part that was placed into a TCE hot vapor pit. In less than two minutes the surface was completely pitted, and the part (which cost about $120,000.00) was completely ruined and unusable.

I mention this because one of the prime ingredients in Gun Scrubber (Unless they have recently removed it and completely reformulated) is trichloroethylene. Besides its ability to remove certain types of paints and clearcoats, it will cause pitting on any titanium gun or gun part.

In addition, it will also cause embrittlement in certain items made from Bakelite, so you definitely don't want to use it on any Bakelite grips as found on some older European guns.
 
Your caution about using trichloroethylene (or any strong solvent) is a good one especially when using it on any plastic part.

However, I'll bet the aircraft part that got pitted was made of a titanium alloy and not pure titanium. Titanium in pure form will have an oxide coating that resists corrosion from most all solvents (but not acids). However, when Ti is alloyed with other metals (e.g., Aluminum), it can be badly corroded by TCE which can turn to hydrochloric acid under the right conditions.

Nonetheless, as I said, the caution should be heeded. Everyone should check whether any solvent will damage any part of the gun they are "cleaning" so they won't be destroying or damaging it instead.
 
From the MSDS:

Inhalation:
Vapors can irritate the respiratory tract. Causes depression of the central nervous system with symptoms of visual disturbances and mental confusion, incoordination, headache, nausea, euphoria, and dizziness. Inhalation of high concentrations could cause unconsciousness, heart effects, liver effects, kidney effects, and death.
Ingestion:
Cases irritation to gastrointestinal tract. May also cause effects similar to inhalation. May cause coughing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dizziness, pulmonary edema, unconsciousness. Kidney failure can result in severe cases. Estimated fatal dose is 3-5 ml/kg.
Skin Contact:
Cause irritation, redness and pain. Can cause blistering. Continued skin contact has a defatting action and can produce rough, dry, red skin resulting in secondary infection.
Eye Contact:
Vapors may cause severe irritation with redness and pain. Splashes may cause eye damage.
Chronic Exposure:
Chronic exposures may cause liver, kidney, central nervous system, and peripheral nervous system effects. Workers chronically exposed may exhibit central nervous system depression, intolerance to alcohol, and increased cardiac output. This material is linked to mutagenic effects in humans. This material is also a suspect carcinogen.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Persons with pre-existing skin disorders, cardiovascular disorders, impaired liver or kidney or respiratory function, or central or peripheral nervous system disorders may be more susceptible to the effects of the substance.

It's not a nice substance - there are better, safer ways to clean your gun.
 
All you need is Breakfree CLP. All of the aerosol cleaners are unhealthy and overproced. And they are very wasteful. Learn how to fieldstrip your gun and clean with a non aerosol product.
 
All you need is Breakfree CLP.
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Or Hoppes #9. A lot of the younger folk here probably thinks it stinks, but those of us with some white hair recognize it as the sweet perfume it is. . . . Maybe that's why my wife won't let me use it inside the house; it's not her perfume. :)
 
+ 1 on the Hoppe`s #9. Why change when something has worked well for years. Kinda like "If its not broke, then don`t fix it" theory;).
 
The original post was a caution for those who do use or who might use Gun Scrubber on their Titanium or plastic gun parts. It wasn't an endorsement or recommendation to start using the product.

There is no need to turn this thread into a which-product-is-the-best-gun-cleaner thread. We already have over a hundred of those on file.
 
Your caution about using trichloroethylene (or any strong solvent) is a good one especially when using it on any plastic part.
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My buddy learned this the hard way. After a liberal dose of Gun Scrubber he came back to find the grip panels on his brand new Beretta melted. He was not happy especially since he decided it was time to read the instructions on the can AFTER using the product.
 
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