WD-40 to clean pistol/rifles

[Mail Clerk]

Hello to all,

I was watching the power channel over the weekend and had noticed that WD-40 has come out with oils that are specialized.

I was wondering if any of these products can be used to clean rifles and pistols instead of buying Breakfree and such???


Mail Clerk

[gwgn02]

I use the Wd40 Specialist (white lithium) to wipe down the exterior...its good at rust prevention. I don't use any WD products to clean inside of weapons though. You'll find tons of threads on what people prefer for that.

[NapalmCheese]

Hello to all,

I was watching the power channel over the weekend and had noticed that WD-40 has come out with oils that are specialized.

I was wondering if any of these products can be used to clean rifles and pistols instead of buying Breakfree and such???


Mail Clerk

You sure can.

I don't, but YOU can.

Ballistol, Gunzilla, or Break Free for me.

If it were the zombie apocalypse and I needed to clean my gun, I might use WD-40 as a solvent if I couldn't find anything else. I'd rather lube with old engine oil than WD-40 personally.

Since it's not the zombpocalypse, I'll stick to the above mentioned 'gun' products.

[bruss01]

WD-40 is excellent for displacing water from metal surfaces, especially nooks and crannies that are hard to wipe down (such as inside machinery). Because it drives out water (Water Displacement, formula number 40) it's great for spraying down hunting guns that have been out in the weather and gotten a good soaking. It's become pretty much traditional for sportsmen to give guns a spray-down with WD-40 before getting in the truck for the (sometimes long) drive home, to keep wet guns from starting to rust before they can be disassembled and properly cleaned. I believe this is where using WD-40 as a gun cleaner got started decades ago and we have an entire generation of gun owners who have just assumed that WD-40 is used because it's great at cleaning guns. It's actually not great at cleaning guns. In fact, over time it will build up a sticky brown residue in the mechanism as the volatiles evaporate, which can lead to malfunctions.

WD-40 is one of those multi-function products that have a lot of "off label" uses that the developers never intended, and it does work ok for a lot of things. Heck it even works "ok" for cleaning guns, assuming that every once in a while you give the gun a complete bare bones tear-down and get the gunk out, every few years. But honestly, in this day and age, there are better products.

I haven't looked at any of the new "specialty formulations" of WD-40 - if there's a specific one you have questions about, mention it and no doubt someone will have an opinion on it.

If you are looking for a cheap gun solvent Ed's Red is a classic and works very well.

Combine equal parts of the following:
Kerosene
Mineral Spirits
Acetone
Dexron ATF

Each of these operates in a different way, and so they compliment each other in solution, and create a very effective solvent. You do have to be careful about staining things red from the ATF so use in a safe place. Also, the acetone is very volatile meaning flammable and it will evaporate quickly if you leave the can unsealed for long. It also dissolves things so only store it in something safe for gasoline.

CLP is a relatively decent cleaner that also lubes and protects. It's not totally awesome at any of those chores, but it is a good simple step-saving product that does ok at most things. I'd rate it higher than WD-40 for effectiveness and it doesn't tend to have the residue build-up problem that many notice with WD-40. YMMV.

[Fishslayer]

The original WD-40 is an excellent degreaser if you have old crusted up dried grease in there. A good soak & it comes right off. I don't routinely use it on guns or fishing reels thjough. Better stuff is available.

[bigbearbear]

You can use WD-40 to clean your guns, I use the regular one all the time to clean my AR-15 and shotguns. However, what you can't do, is to rely on it as a lubricant. I use it as a good and cheap solvent for flushing out the barrels of long guns as it is a lot cheaper than most CLPs. So remember to lube your gun after cleaning it with the regular WD-40.

I also have a can of WD-40 specialist Silicone Spray, it came as a pack with the regular version I bought. I use it to wipe down the exterior of my guns, when I know I'll be shooting in the rain I'll apply an additional layer, and wipe down again with it after shooting.

[2shotjoe]

I wouldn't want to know what WD-40 smells like when its burning, don't use it as a lube.

[Divernhunter]

There are so many better products to use. They are not that expensive especially since you do not use a lot when cleaning.

To me the big question is: Why would you want to skimp on it compared to the total cost of your firearm? Pennies smart-----Dollars foolish

[bug_eyedmonster]

As other have mentioned, after hunting, I use it to spray down the rifles and wrap with a towel before heading home to actually clean it out. When I get home, it makes thins nice and easy, and I dont have to worry about rust.

Jerry

[Malmon]

WD-40 is good for cleaning pistols and rifles, not so good as a lubricant.
My routine involves 1. wiping the parts with a dry rag to get the gunk out.
2. scrub with a toothbrush dip in hoppe's 9.
3. spray a lot of WD-40 until it drips.
4. let it sit for a couple of minutes.
5. use compressed air to blow out the WD-40.
6. wipe dry.
7. lubricate with oil.
8. assemble.

Done in 10 minutes.

[cudakidd]

Gun scrub/disk brake cleaner, spray until clean. dries with no residue.
Followed up by light spray with Barricade...

Lots of threads on why Not to use WD40...

[CK_32]

You can use water to clean your guns too.. Doesn't mean it will work.


FWIW.

[bug_eyedmonster]

You can use water to clean your guns too.. Doesn't mean it will work.


FWIW.

Done it before, it works, followed by WD40, and then used Mobil1 after to lubricate. This was on a 1911, still shoots great and not a hint of rust.


Jerry

[teg33]

Rather using WD40 to clean gun, use non chlorinated brake cleaner. It's cheap, only cost couple bucks at wallmart.

[71MUSTY]

Rather using WD40 to clean gun, use non chlorinated brake cleaner. It's cheap, only cost couple bucks at wallmart.

This does in fact clean them well. BUT beware you just flushed every bit of rust protection and lube right off your gun so never use break cleaner unless you follow up by relubing to manufactures specs and applying something to protect the metal from rust.