Silicon Gun Cloths.

L

loknload

New member
How many of you use those Silicon gun cloths to wipe down your guns? Keep one handy in the safe or wherever you disarm and want to wipe down your piece? I do, But what do you do when they dry up? Respray with Silicon or buy a new one? Is there any Silicon that should not be used on your guns. I know I've seen different brands with different things in them. What are your thoughts?

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We preserve our freedoms by using four boxes: soap,ballot,jury, and cartridge.
Anonymous
 
loknload, according to the package on my "Birchwood-Casey" cloth, they don't dry up. They advise it safely removes fingerprints among other things. They do warn to keep it in it's plastic bag when not in use so that it stays dust-free and protected.

That said, I always use one. I don't like the feel of an oily gun so when I'm done cleaning, I oil the insides and outside but wipe off the excess outside. Then after a day or so, start using the cloth on the outside. I usually wipe down a firearm every night or anytime I pull the gun out of the holster, before it goes back in, it gets wiped down.

Just my way.

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"Charlton Heston is my President"

Danny45
NRA, NAHC, Buckmasters
 
I don't think there's any substitute for a nice thin coat of CLP on my blued/parkerized guns, but I have a KleenBore silicon rag for nickel/stainless guns. I keep a can of Gunk silicon spray handy to rejuvenate it from time to time.
 
For the guns in the safe, I prefer a piece of lambswool over the cloth. The deeper pile reaches into the nooks and crannies that a cloth can't get to. I have zero clue where you can find them though. I bought a bag of 10 4"X4" pads at a gun show 3 years ago, and have really used only 3 so far. Well, 2 if you don't count the one I cut up to use on the pistol rest. I keep 1 realtivly clean and coated with Clenzoil for use as a final wipedown before the gun goes in the safe. The other is in the range bag, and it's pretty dirty. I use that one to wipe the guns down after shooting, but before cleaning. It also is coated with Clenzoil. I don't care for silicon, but that's just me. Pure silicon is a decent protectant, but it always seemed to leave a slick feel to wood grips and stocks that I couldn't remove no matter how hard I wiped. Regardless, I've found a zip lock bag the best to keep the cleaning rag/pad in to keep dust and grit off of them.
 
Silicon cloth WILL scratch the finish on your guns. Throw it in the garbage and get a peice of felt, or use a cotten terrycloth rag/towel.

[This message has been edited by BB (edited October 11, 2000).]
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BB:
Silicon cloth WILL scratch the finish on your guns. Throw it in the garbage and get a peice of felt, or use a cotten terrycloth rag/towel.

[This message has been edited by BB (edited October 11, 2000).][/quote]

Well, I have been using one on all my guns for a year now and haven't noticed any scrathes yet.
 
I use a Tuff-cloth from Sentry Solutions. I'm not sure what all it dos, but it does provide a micro-barrier of silicon and other stuff that bonds to the gun (according to them). It can be rejuvenated with a splash of mineral spirits, drys quickly, and doesn't leave the gun feeling slick or oily. I have no rust or oxidation on any of my guns, and fingerprints, etc. seem to come off easier after a couple of applications. I use it as a final wipe after cleaning or when putting one away after carry. check them out at - http://www.sentrysolutions.com/
M2
 
I have been using the same silicone rag for over 20 years! It is an old Outer's. I carry or handle my guns a whole lot more than I shoot them. I have always made it a habit to wipe them off nearly every time I handle them. I have never seen a scratch from the rag, nor have I ever tried to rejuvinate it.
I just recently bought a new cloth so I would have them in different locations. I have not experinced any rust on my guns in this entire time.
Maybe I am just lucky, but I love the ones I have.
Dennie NRA Life Member, GOA
 
I have been using silcone cloths from different makers for almost thirty years with no sign of scratches or any other unwanted effects. My current favorites come from Wilson Combat www.wilsoncombat.com
Not cheap, but they last a VERY long time. I carry a SIG P220 daily in a humid environment. It gets wiped down a couple times a week with a silicone cloth and has not a speck of rust on it after almost ten years of carry.

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"He is useless on top of the ground; he ought to be under it, inspiring the cabbages."
Mark Twain
 
I have also used tuff-cloth, which leaves a unique dry but slick finish on blued metal. Currently, I wipe my in-the-safe guns down with cotton felt or tshirt cloth and Mobil One synthetic motor oil.

Regards,

Ledbetter
 
I used silicone cloths for about 30 years or more. I recently dug out a knife that'd been stored for nearly 20 years, in the basement. It had a couple of rust spots on the edge, but was otherwise perfect.

Recently (last couple years), I've tried Tuf Cloths (Marine and regular). They seem to work well, but dry out *very* quickly. Yes, you just have to sprinkle them with some mineral spirits, but that's a hassle, and I'm not sure there's all that much difference from the silicone cloth, which lasts for years without any maintenance.
 
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