What to clean polymer with? [Archive]

crispy

02-02-13, 12:21

Hi all,

I've noticed that powder residue tends to accumulate at the muzzle end of the polymer lower on my handgun. What is a good way to clean it without causing damage to the polymer? Soap and water does okay but it takes alot of elbow grease and time to work. I'm afraid to use something like Hoppes #9 for fear of damaging the polymer.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Trajan

02-02-13, 12:26

Why are you worried about a little carbon on your frame?

Just leave it be, it'll be fine.

jonconsiglio

02-02-13, 12:29

Hi all,

I've noticed that powder residue tends to accumulate at the muzzle end of the polymer lower on my handgun. What is a good way to clean it without causing damage to the polymer? Soap and water does okay but it takes alot of elbow grease and time to work. I'm afraid to use something like Hoppes #9 for fear of damaging the polymer.

Thanks for any suggestions.

You're unlikely to damage that polymer bro. If you're afraid of a certain chemical, just test it on a basepad.

I've used Acetone, lacquer thinner and some other poison to get paint off of a frame once and there was no damage. Now, I really don't clean mine other than a dry rag now and then, but I've used soap and water as well.

My guns get filthy, I mean contaminate near-by items filthy, and I've just never felt they needed more than a basic wipe down or cleaning.

maggie06

02-02-13, 12:30

Ballistol

samuse

02-02-13, 13:16

These cleaning threads are starting to get ridiculuos.

DON'T clean it. It's the original carbon and all collector value will be lost if you remove it.

crispy

02-02-13, 13:16

Guess I should have gotten black so that It would be less noticeable to me?

Thanks for the replies. Appreciated...

RD62

02-02-13, 13:36

A little CLP of your choice should clean it right up.

HKGuns

02-02-13, 13:48

I use a dry automotive grade micro-fiber cloth. Works extremely well and there is zero risk of the polymer being damaged with this method. (*most cleaning solvents on the market will not damage the polymer.)

Beat Trash

02-02-13, 13:55

I always get a bit of carbon on the front of the dust over of my Glocks and M&P's. I just wipe it off with a patch soaked in Hoppe's #9, then wipe dry with a clean rag.

Been doing this since I bought my first polymer gun in about 1995. No ill effects.

Kevin P

02-02-13, 14:08

Use m-pro 7. It's non toxic and safe on polymer.

I don't worry about keeping my guns really clean, but I keep the frame and outside surfaces pretty clean and oil free. I don't like getting my clothes and underwear dirty with powder residue especially if using a VG-2.

Five_Point_Five_Six

02-02-13, 14:24

Windex. I like my poly guns with a streak free shine.

SPDGG

02-02-13, 15:29

imho:

Just wipe it & forget it.

FAB45

02-02-13, 16:22

Keep it dirty! The scratches and residue give it that "Boba Fett" look. :sarcastic:

Hammar

02-02-13, 16:25

Soap and water.
Mil pro 7.
Simple green.

KrampusArms

02-02-13, 18:27

This is what I do. I take the frame, get the water running hot, & work palmolive dish soap into it with my hands. Rinse with cold water, blow it out, then towel dry.

I only end up cleaning it like this when the polymer gets oily. Not because of carbon.

Just wash it off in the sink, & blow out internals, & steel parts.

SWAT Lt.

02-03-13, 09:18

I always get a bit of carbon on the front of the dust over of my Glocks and M&P's. I just wipe it off with a patch soaked in Hoppe's #9, then wipe dry with a clean rag.

Been doing this since I bought my first polymer gun in about 1995. No ill effects.

+1. Been doing it htis way for about 20 years with no ill effects.

NoveskeFan

02-03-13, 09:45

Froglube works well for me.

crispy

02-03-13, 11:50

Wow.....I never thought that this would become such a hot topic! Thanks for showing the love and concern for my polymer. You guys are all so awesome. Just wow....:D

Bulletdog

02-03-13, 12:41

I just wipe it with a dry rag. Are we over thinking this?

Shao

02-03-13, 12:44

Toothbrush, dishsoap and hot water.

If it's really caked/stuck on: Toothbrush, abrasive powdered bathroom cleaner, and hot water.

Medic548

02-03-13, 13:16

I use a magic eraser.

CDDM416

02-03-13, 13:17

bon amy :D

crispy

02-03-13, 13:21

Has anyone tried Spic-N-Span? Just wonderin cuz I happen to have some handy.

crispy

02-03-13, 13:26

Toothbrush, dishsoap and hot water.

If it's really caked/stuck on: Toothbrush, abrasive powdered bathroom cleaner, and hot water.

Not a bad idea! I might however substitute baking soda for the cleanser. It's supposed to be safer for the enamel?

crispy

02-03-13, 13:26

I use a magic eraser.

Where do I find one of those :confused:

BigTinVA

02-03-13, 13:43

Warm water and some Murphy's Oil Soap on an old toothbrush.

crispy

02-03-13, 13:54

bon amy :D

Umm....lets not go there :nono:

blueorison

02-12-13, 18:26

Hi all,

I've noticed that powder residue tends to accumulate at the muzzle end of the polymer lower on my handgun. What is a good way to clean it without causing damage to the polymer? Soap and water does okay but it takes alot of elbow grease and time to work. I'm afraid to use something like Hoppes #9 for fear of damaging the polymer.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Water, oil, piss, whatever.

Kleenex.

No, the kleenex is for you.

I kid, I kid.

Sooie

02-18-13, 00:32

Wet rag....

Razorhunter

02-18-13, 08:40

Other than really old white t-shirts, (which aren't always necessarily lint free), could someone list some options where I can find totally lint-free cloths???? I've considered finding an automotive paint store to see what they have, but I'm looking for more lint-free cloth options for various cleaning jobs, both gun related as well as non-gun related. Prefer lint free cloths that do not require a thousand pre-wash cycles before they actually become lint free.

Hmac

02-18-13, 08:48

Other than really old white t-shirts, (which aren't always necessarily lint free), could someone list some options where I can find totally lint-free cloths???? I've considered finding an automotive paint store to see what they have, but I'm looking for more lint-free cloth options for various cleaning jobs, both gun related as well as non-gun related. Prefer lint free cloths that do not require a thousand pre-wash cycles before they actually become lint free.

Microfiber. Any automotive store will have them. Some are better quality than others (interestingly, the best microfiber cloths tend to be from Korea, the worst from China), but that's more an issue for auto detailing. For cleaning powder off the muzzle of a gun, any microfiber cloth works fine.

I tend to use Hoppe's #9 and a tooth brush, then wipe down with a microfiber cloth.

RogerinTPA

02-18-13, 14:18

I hose it down with ballistol, then wipe with a rag every 3 or 4K, if that. I know some dudes who disassemble their glocks and put them in the dishwasher...:eek:

Atlshaun

02-18-13, 18:30

Ballistol and a micro fiber rag.

Simple. Cheap. Very effective.

slamd095

02-18-13, 20:25

Pffftt....

Cleans like no other..

https://twimg0-a.akamaihd.net/profile_images/3066133905/bc1e6440fe0128bcf669c0c562767cc6.jpeg

KrampusArms

02-18-13, 20:31

Pffftt....

Cleans like no other..

https://twimg0-a.akamaihd.net/profile_images/3066133905/bc1e6440fe0128bcf669c0c562767cc6.jpeg

Didn't that guy get beat down by a hooker in a hotel room a few years back? I always thought he looked like a tweaker.

slamd095

02-18-13, 20:36

Yeah he did..

but the scene was really clean! LOL

ericridebike

02-18-13, 21:59

+1 for Froglube.

Thomas M-4

02-19-13, 02:58

The lower polymer frame I kid you not hot water and dish washing soap. Let it soak 15-30 min and old tooth brush to brush off all heavy deposits . And my wife's hair dryer to dry it off.

JSantoro

02-19-13, 09:31

^^ - this guy

I know some dudes who disassemble their glocks and put them in the dishwasher...:eek:

After the wash, ensure that they're dry or water is displaced, then lube 'em back up. It works.

I'm not gonna sit there and scrub things I don't need to scrub. I have napping to do, dagnabbit.