I Need A New Solvent

I've used Hoppe's Elite; it works well and has no noticeable odor. It's rather spendier than #9, but if you're trying to cut down on the smell, then it's a good choice.
 
montelores said:
My wonderful wife has put up with me smelling like 2-stroke pre-mix, diesel, or Jet-A for a long time ...
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I'm going to take a different slant on this, and not recommend anything different from you are using. It sounds like the problem is you are getting the solvent on you or your clothing. I would recommend using Nitrile gloves and a shop apron when you are cleaning your firearms.

If the problem is fumes in the house, then maybe a little ventilation to the outside is in order. That would be true no matter what product you choose to use.
 
Mal H-

Thank you for the feedback. I suppose that my initial post makes it sound as though I'm a bit of a mess.

I actually started wearing medical gloves, but the Hoppe's seems to permeate anything that I'm wearing (gloves and clothing). I clean the guns in the garage, also.

I grew up using the stuff, and I have just reverted to my "comfort zone" by continuing to do so. I'm going to try the "Elite" and some "Blue Wonder", for a start. I do use Rem-oil, but I'm going to switch from the aerosol can to the squeeze bottle.

I'm grateful to all for their responses, and please keep the suggestions coming.

Monty
 
Everything I have to say on cleaning and lubrication (so far at least)....

Excerpt from "What Lube is This" thread.

And

GunZilla Product review and test.

The short summary....
I've settled into a routine of using the following chemicals.
1) Outers foaming bore cleaner (to remove copper fouling).
2) Gunzilla (for heavy powder fouling and especially to help remove the plastic snot from my shotgun barrels).
3) WeaponShield to lube and protect.

The grip screws of my carry SIG 229 continue to be the "canary-in-the-coal-mine" indicator of corrosion (what IS the deal with those damned screws?) but the worst they've gotten is just a faint hint of corrosion and a quick rub with Weaponshield on a q-tip and the problem is gone for another month or so (longer if I remember to wipe 'em down once in a while).

Wear n' tear on all my firearms seems to be well under control with no indication of lubrication failure and all of my firearms continue to operate smoothly.

All three of the chemicals in question also function with just a bare minimum amount used per cleaning so I also feel that I'm getting very good value for my money from all of the products
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For general use, Breakfree CLP works just fine. If you shoot a lot, you may need to occasionally use another solvent to help clean any copper from jacketed bullets.
 
MPro7/Hoppe's Elite Cleaners. Same Stuff

Pantheon Chemical

I use the stuff all the time. The more you use it the easier it is to use. Once clean, some good quality lubricant/protectant must cover all metal surfaces. I use the MPro7 Gun Oil, Breakfree CLP, Dry Teflon Lube.

Bore Gel

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Thank you, Bob.

Is my assumption that a lubricant/protectant must be used because all oils have been cleaned from the metal surface correct?

That has been my normal cleaning regimen with #9 (swab w/ #9, dry patches until clean, then lube w/ Remoil).

Or is Elite/MPro7 corrosive or damaging long-term?

Monty
 
montelores, your assumption is correct and if you read the FAQs at the site the nature of MPro7/Elite becomes clearer. It is non toxic, the MSDS statements are also available. The toxic nature of Breakfree CLP is something I don't know about.
 
I know you've not heard of it because it's so new, but if Marvel was willing to put his name on it, I was willing to give it a try. Bob Marvel's Custom Oil is the best I've found; expecially for reducing carbon build-up.
 
I bought a big bottle of shooter's choice bore cleaner. The fluid smells really really bad!:mad: I have to open the door and air out the room for almost an hour to get rid of the smell. I use Hoppe's 9 solvent. Its good, but I too would prefer a fluid and solvent with no smell.
 
I'm still curious about Simple Green.
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I used to advocate a 60/40 mix of water and simple green concentrate to degrease new guns (works fairly well on cosmoline as well).

However I have found over time that the simple green/water mix is just too corrosive for my taste. If you don't blow it all dry and re-lube the metal parts more or less immediately you will have rust "blooms" within an hour or less.

As a result I really don't use simple green on guns anymore. However orange peel degreaser works great for removing old gunky grease and stuff from mil-surp guns.
 
ZeSpectre-

Thank you. Using water was a concern of mine.

Our local gun shop had a bottle of Hoppe's Elite. The (knowledgeable) sales/repair fellow there was surprised at the lack of odor when we gave it a sniff. He too expected a strong "perfume" from the stuff, but it was almost nothing.

I'll give it a try next week and let you all know how it went. Thank again for the input.

Monty
 
Quote: "I bought a big bottle of shooter's choice bore cleaner. The fluid smells really really bad! I have to open the door and air out the room for almost an hour to get rid of the smell. I use Hoppe's 9 solvent. Its good, but I too would prefer a fluid and solvent with no smell. "

Strange! I find Shooters Choice Bore Cleaner to have little or no odor and what little odor I smell is very pleasant IMO. I do my pistol cleaning in the garage.
 
I use simple green quite a bit to clean certain guns that lend themselves to water rinse and dry with no danger of rust due to design and size. So you have to oil cure the parts so what. It works great. I like cleaning my 1911 with SG all except the mainspring which I usually so not disassemble.
 
According to this review:

http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/archi...p/t-58494.html

Breafree CLP is very toxic. Gunzilla receives a good review.

Thank you,

Monty
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Well, your initial post was only concerned about odor. Most solvents will be harmful if you use scads of it without gloves. As far as the review you linked to, the poster obviously put some time into his reviews and they are of interest. However, he cites to nothing showing it is "incredibly toxic." And he is just flat wrong when he says, "Breakfree CLP is TERRIBLE at rust prevention." Take a look at http://www.thegunzone.com/rust.html. It didn't do bad either at http://www.6mmbr.com/corrosiontest.html

No, Breakfree is not the best solvent out there but it fits your stated need for an odorless product.
 
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