Mineral spirits

[AJC]

It has been said that mineral spirits is the base for a lot of gun cleaners and is a much cheaper option for those that like to shoot a lot. I used it to clean and refresh a press that was in bad shape and it looks nice. In the video he was restoring a 7.7 jap and it ate the rust up. Is anyone else doing this and is there any problems with the glock polymers. Hate to melt or screw up my handle.

 

[K22]

I know one fellow that uses it exclusively for his center fire rifle and swears by it. I've watched him clean his rifle at the range using it and it does seem to remove the carbon. However it's hard to imagine that it will remove any copper. I assume you're shooting jacketed bullets so I'd be concerned about copper removal using mineral spirits.

I've experimented using it before I go to the range on a clean rifle bore to remove Barricade, a rust preventative, that I use after cleaning the rifle. It seems to help eliminate clean barrel flyers but I'm still testing so I can't say conclusively that it does.

Not sure if it will react with polymers.

Looking forward to what others have to offer about mineral spirits.

 

[centerlineseal]

I believe it is one of 4 ingredients to Ed's Red.

 

[Someoldguy]

Ed's Red. Whale oil, Turpentine , Stoddard Solvent and Acetone in equal parts.
ATF has been substutited for Whale Oil, Kerosene for Turpentine and Mineral Spirits for Stoddard Solvent in modern mixtures, so I've read.

 

[eddief]

Ed's Red has 1 part Aliphatic Mineral Spirits, Fed Spec. TT-T-2981F, CAS #64741-49-9, or may subsitute "stoddard solvent", CAS #8052-41-3, or equivalent (Varsol)

 

[Mikemontminy]

I’ve been using it for years on my 1911. Pour some in a plastic tub. Strip down your 1911 and put all the parts (other than the grips ) into the tub of mineral spirits. Let soak for a while and then use a parts cleaning brush on the stubborn spots. When I’m done I’ll pour the mineral spirits back into the container thru a filtered funnel. Ready to use again next time.

 

[Prose]

What’s the stuff that is used in parts washin machines?

 

[LCazador]

I think you're asking about using it to clean gun parts and actions and not bores. Yes it will work for cleaning parts and actions but not such a great bore cleaner. I use Kroil as a bore conditioner after cleaning and I believe it's made with mineral spirits. I use mineral spirits to clean off glue from stock tape on my benchrest rifles without harming the finish. I have also used it to clean polymer frames and plastics without any harm. I've also used it to clean golf clubs and it makes a great two sided tape activator for installing new golf grips, !!

 

[Someoldguy]

Most of the commercial stuff is based on petroleum distillate, or mineral spirits. I think some localities require a water- based or bio-degradable solvent. They tried some 'green' version where I work. Didn't work much better than plain water, so they switched back.

 

[Rsadams]

It's what we used in our parts cleaning stations at our machine shop for years works great on grease.... On the plus side you will never have a cut get infected , it will look like crap for a few days and it's gone...

 

[Intheshop]

We use it in a parts cleaner. Also mix 50/50 with ATF,in spray bottles as a cleaner with a lube'r.

Buy it 5g at a time from industrial paint joint.

 

[ACF]

Mineral spirits, Stoddard solvent, VM&P naptha are all variations of aliphatic hydrocarbons. The differences between these are the boiling point and evaporation rate.

Petroleum distillates is a much broader term that can mean just about anything distilled from crude oil.

These are considered "weak solvents" are would not bother most gun stock finishes except maybe an undercured oil based finish and they do make good cleaning solvents for oils and greases.
They will not dissolve or soften the vast majority of synthetic plastics and resins.

I use mineral spirits in a wash bottle that sits by my lathe as a degreaser.

Chris

 

[butchlambert]

I use coal oil!

 

[oldman1951]

What’s the stuff that is used in parts washin machines?

Mineral spirits.

 

[Gun Smith]

Years ago I used mineral spirits all the time in my parts washer. Cleaned hundreds of guns that way, and never gave the vapors I was breathing from it a thought, as I could not smell it. When I finally quit smoking, I could actually smell the vapor coming off that stuff, and it gave me a nasty headache, even with good ventilation. Never bothered me when I smoked. Had to stop using it, sold the parts washer, and bought a large ultrasonic cleaner.

 

[antelopedundee]

I bought some [Jasco brand] in a plastic bottle that I intended to use as a wet patch when cleaning but it's cloudy. Normally I'll use a loose patch of Accelerator followed by a loose patch of Wipeout/Patchout. After a few minutes I use a wet patch with hexane followed by a dry patch and repeat as necessary. I plan sometime to use mineral spirits instead of hexane. Mineral spirits is a lot like hexane only with higher boiling hydrocarbons. Odorless mineral spirits has the "aromatics" like benzene, toluene, etc. removed. It has limited solvent power, but it's good for oils and greases.

 

[TimS]

It’s laughable that there’s still people on our side who think all will be well if they turn in their guns or go underground (good luck with today’s technology in the wrong hands!) if something like this were to happen. First video I’m sure many of you have seen I’d be willing to bet if they win this fight re-education camps will happen. Second video is not directly related but facinting. As the saying goes I’d rather die on my feet then live on my knees.

I’ve often wondered that about mineral spirits.

 

[Someoldguy]

It’s laughable that there’s still people on our side who think all will be well if they turn in their guns or go underground (good luck with today’s technology in the wrong hands!) if something like this were to happen.

 

[antelopedundee]

I know one fellow that uses it exclusively for his center fire rifle and swears by it. I've watched him clean his rifle at the range using it and it does seem to remove the carbon. However it's hard to imagine that it will remove any copper. I assume you're shooting jacketed bullets so I'd be concerned about copper removal using mineral spirits.

I've experimented using it before I go to the range on a clean rifle bore to remove Barricade, a rust preventative, that I use after cleaning the rifle. It seems to help eliminate clean barrel flyers but I'm still testing so I can't say conclusively that it does.

Not sure if it will react with polymers.

Looking forward to what others have to offer about mineral spirits.

You can always test it on an inconspicuous part of the stock or ask the maker of the stock.

 

[MrMajestic]

Someone is off their meds...