Cleaning off rust protectant

[jedichef]

Just picked up my Rock Island M5. Any tips on what to use to clean off the rust protectant that it is covered in. Thanks for any help!

[milky]

Any solvent or cleaner you already use for firearms should work fine.

Well not "any" use something that will be safe for the plastic bits too!

[teg33]

Non chlorinerated brake cleaner should do the job

[baranski]

Naptha.

[Swampcrip]

Naptha.

Thought you can't get naphtha in Cali.

[FeuerFrei]

Good ole' rubbing alcohol
Kerosene of the clear K2 variety <$ than K1 iirc
Coleman fuel/stove gas/white gas etc.. = naphtha based (close as you'll get in Cali anyway)
Lighter fluid
Coleman is >$ but all of these should work for you
They work for me.

[baranski]

Thought you can't get naphtha in Cali.

Maybe not in it's pure state, but I've got plenty.

Most solvent based degreasers use naphtha as the active agent.

[usmcspud]

About the only thing that stinkin WD40 is good for. Just be sure to wipe it all off. Then lube as usual.

[otteray]

Turpentine, or mineral spirits

[duramax100]

Maybe not in it's pure state, but I've got plenty.

Most solvent based degreasers use naphtha as the active agent.

you can get naptha from military bases lol

[JagerDog]

Lighter fluid (for Zippo) is mostly Naptha.

WD40 is pretty darn good.

I know a lot of folks hate it as protectant, but dad's guns and reels look like new 50 years later with little but WD40.

[200Apples]

.

Thought you can't get naphtha in Cali.

Coleman camp fuel/liquid fuel comes in one-gallon tins and is available all over California where camping equipment is sold: Big 5 Sporting Goods, Sport Chalet, Walmart... I've even purchased Coleman fuel from Ralphs supermarkets.

Coleman fuel is naphtha and a rust inhibitor, and I would assume the ratio of the two to be *something like* 99.87564% naphtha with the remainder being the rust inhibitor. lol.



I use it in vintage Coleman lanterns and stoves, and for cleaning adhesive residues from various surfaces. In Europe, naphtha is called "Panel Wipe" and is used by automotive body paint shops to clean sheetmetal before painting. It leaves no noticeable residue.

[jedichef]

Thanks everyone. Tried the WD-40 because I had some, and it worked great!