Cleaning question....

[Jfarewell]

I've been using Hoppes #9 for as long as I can think back to but my wife absolutely hates the smell. It's about the equivalent of her doing her nails around me. =/

Now I'm in the market for a new solvent.... any suggestions? Preferably something that doesn't smell as strong.

[unclebud]

I use ballistol, does a good job and does not smell too bad either

[bishop414]

Fan of Frog Lube, nice spearmint smell.

[a.roberts]

GunSlick UltraKleenz. Smells a little like cedar.

[Cowboy1629]

I use Hoppes #9 as well and always have. I did try some Frog Lube once and did like the smell, even the wife liked it until I told her how much it cost. She said Hoppes really wasn't that bad...

[blaster113]

I like MPro7 or Mirachem, non-toxic and works great.

[lsr1238]

Slip 2000 725 gun cleaner. Water based, non-caustic, biodegradable. Runs $6.99 for 4 oz, $13.29 for 16 oz.

[okshootist]

Slip 2000 carbon killer. Non-toxic detergent, no odor. Great for lead, carbon, and plastic residue from shotgun wads.

[CZinSC]

I use FrogLube exclusively now. Love it. But a lot of people will tell you it's snake oil. Whatever. I know it works, it lubes, and it keeps my gun less dirty.

With that said, before I switched, i was using Hoppes Elite to clean, and CLP to lube. The CLP will clean also, but the Hoppes Elite does a better job. Plus, Hoppes Elite has little to no smell. Since you're a big #9 fan, I think that is best bet.

[Jfarewell]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'l start trying a few of those out. =)

[HeinrichDerLowe]

Hoppes Elite has been doing a spectacular job for me, without smelling like traditional solvents. I always soak down the bore and turn my attention to the rest of the gun while the Hoppes does its magic. I would recommend: 1.) track down a large windex sized bottle and 2.) use liberally

[mike's m&p]

Was hoppes#9 for 2 decades, switched to frog lube 3 months ago and love it works great.

[practical_man]

Home brew works well for me. Equal parts of mineral spirits, dextrin ATF, and kerosene.

Yes a little odor but a very effective and inexpensive cleaner. Mineral spirits and ATF make an effective penetrating oil too.

Related, sort of, is my recent experiment with corrosion x. It is the only thing I have found that actually dissolves rust and prevents its return. Works great on blues steel parts.

[dlouie87]

Mpro7 works really well.

[venatic]

Hoppe's Elite Cleaner and the MPro 7 cleaner are made by the same folks IIRC just branded. Both are excellent to clean carbon from barrel etc. and have almost no smell.

Now if you need to remove copper from your barrel they will not work at all on that. Some type of copper remover such as KG12 (no smell) or Montana Extreme cooper remover (smells)works fine as does the foam cleaners which have very little odor.

[CaptRob]

How can someone not like the smell of Hoppes? I will sometimes use Pro Shot Products 1 step cleaner & lubricant. It has no smell.

[GuildSF4]

Have you tried SEAL1?

[v1911]

+1 for MPro7

[Puma]

Odorless mineral spirit to clean and then Militec-1oil . You might want to spray her favorite perfume in the room about this time without her seeing you and then ask her how she likes the smell.....LOL ! Seriously, try odorless mineral spirit. This is what is used to clean racing car parts.

[stick]

Hoppe's #9 (for as long as I can remember) and CLP

[Flatland Shooter]

Odorless mineral spirit to clean and then Militec-1oil .

Same here. I have a 50 cal ammo can with a screen basket filled with Mineral Spirit I use as a soaking tank.

Just started using the Militec on AR's and shotguns this year.

Bill

[Forgetful]

Slip 2000 725 gun cleaner. Water based, non-caustic, biodegradable. Runs $6.99 for 4 oz, $13.29 for 16 oz.

This

[ThomasM]

I have been using Fire Clean as of recently but Im pretty sure it is something cheaper that I am paying more for. It works very well and stays where it should so Im not complaining.

Has anyone else heard Frog Lube is just crisco? Anyone ever try lubricating their gun with crisco?

Any way this is kind of interesting read that has been passed around for a while.

http://www.grantcunningham.com/lubricants101.html

[Jfarewell]

Sooooo many options and so little cash to try them all. Thanks for the suggestions. I'll start working my way down the list.

[Jfarewell]

Also, I've been using Hoppes Elite to lube but not to clean. I usually soak the barrel with #9 before cleaning everything else, then clean the barrel and finish with Elite. It's worked great except for that smell.