What NOT to do When Cleaning Your Guns - Ultrasonic Cleaning

There are many ways to properly and safely clean your gun, but has anyone told you about the ways you shouldn't be cleaning it? We are sure it isn't something you think about on a daily basis, but it is smart to be aware of what isn't correct when cleaning your firearms. With some help from the gun folks at Survivopedia, here are some of the do-not's‚ when gun cleaning.

DON'T Use Gasoline or Kerosene (And Other Unapproved Cleaning Substances)

It may come as no surprise to anyone, but using gasoline or kerosene to clean your gun can be very dangerous. Both these liquids are incredibly flammable, and if there is any chance of accidently lighting these chemicals up, you are going to be in for a bad time. Although effective for getting dirt and grime off of your guns, gasoline and kerosene can strip off the finish and protective coating on your gun too. It is just better to use any approved substance for your gun when cleaning it. Along those same lines, dish soap and water can be just as detrimental to your gun. If you're not careful, you can cause corrosion and rust can begin appearing on your gun. The exception to this rule is the use of water and Brulin 815GD concentrated cleaning solution. Brulin 815GD is approved for use with an ultrasonic cleaner that contains rust inhibitors.

DON'T Forget About Cosmoline

When you are purchasing new or surplus guns, it is important that you clean them before beginning to use them. This is because they are often coated in a substance called Cosmoline. Cosmoline is a common brand of a substance used to protect the weapon from moisture and rust. In most cases, it is just an oily substance that is easy to clean off of a gun, but if the weapon has been stored for a long time before purchase, the Cosmoline may turn into a waxy substance, making it harder to remove. There are a few methods you can use in order to clean Cosmoline off in this state: WD-40 If you spray WD-40 over the metal and any wooden parts, it will begin to dissolve the Cosmoline. Just make sure you have plenty of rags and paper towels to continue wipe the Cosmoline off. And make sure to get it out of the inside of the barrel as well! Keep in mind, however, that WD-40 is not meant to clean your gun. Only use it to help remove the Cosmoline. Any other cleaning done to your firearm once the Cosmoline has been removed should not include WD-40.

If you are able to find a heat gun, you may use it set to 125 degrees Fahrenheit in order to melt away the waxy Cosmoline. Again, be prepared with plenty of rags and paper towels. Ultrasonic Cleaning Again, if you have access to an ultrasonic bath, all you would need to do is disassemble your firearm and place the separate pieces in stainless steel baskets and then into an ultrasonic bath. The ultrasonic cavitation in the water would quickly wear away at the waxy cosmoline, and have your gun cleaned in a relatively short time. Don't forget to properly dry and lubricate your gun afterwards!

DON'T Forget Safety

It is important to not forget gun safety, even when cleaning your gun. That's right, gun safety is important at all time! Check out our article¬†How To Be Safe With Your Gun: 7 Simple Tips‚ for some great gun safety advice.