Apartment Gun Cleaning

[nic]

Hello All-
Here's a random question for you... I live in an apartment, and I usually do my gun cleaning at the range as soon as I'm done shooting, but sometimes there really isn't time to do that and I end up having to drive over to my parents' house to clean stuff because they have a garage. This is a pain in the butt. So, what do those of you who live in apartments do to clean your guns at home? Particularly with solvents, I can imagine how nasty and odorous it might be, which is why I usually do it outdoors.
Solutions? Any ideas for not too stinky, not too toxic cleaning?
Thanks,
-Nic

[fal_762x51]

I have never had a problem cleaning in my apartment. Just open some windows to obtain a cross draft, you'll be fine.

[SJshooter]

Go to the post office and grab a flat rate priority mail box (they are free). Cut it open and lay it flat and there is your work area. Keep the windows open and you're all set.

[NSR500]

I open up all the windows at my place and have not had a problem with Solvent fumes.

[Tweak338]

Grab some newspapers or paper bags. Lay it on the floor in front of the couch. Sit down, clean and always keep the muzzle over the paper.

[GUN FREAK]

Its smells for a couple of days.

[Socal858]

im on a higher floor and its pretty hard to see in unless you are on a higher floor across the ways (greenbelt). i bring uppers and shotgun barrels out there to the balcony all the time. i recommend just cutting up a cardboard box and setting it on the ground and just work on you rguns. obviously use common sense and dont hold them up ten feet in the air for the world to see

*warning: strategy doesnt work so well when you are on the first floor or have another apartment facing you within tobacco spittin distance*

[aplinker]

Get MPro-7.



It's a very good cleaner and doesn't smell, nor does it have fumes. It's highly rated as a solvent even without these characteristics.

I always clean over the sink, too. With MPro it's actually water miscible. Makes for fast and easy clean-up.

[bonjing]

+1 on the MPro stuff but it's a little expensive, for me . also the pro shot stuff http://www.proshotproducts.com/cleaners_lubricants.html. I have never used it but from what I hear it seems to work pretty well.

[avidone]

I clean in the kitchen under the exhaust hood. Sucks the fumes right out.

[Technical Ted]

I live in a second floor condo without private garage space. The balcony is out because the neighbor's wife would probably freak out if she found out I had firearms. After years of cleaning I've come up with what I think is a good array of apartment cleaning tools.

A couple of things I use to clean on the dining table that minimize mess and odor:

A cleaning mat

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=160957&t=11082005

The top fabric traps and absorbs spilled solvents and lubes. The bottom lamination keeps them from soaking through and ruining furniture finish.

I toss mine in the washer every so often and let it air dry.

A range box, cleaning cradle or varmint rest

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=134140&t=11082005

http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=CPACT&item=03-2500&type=store

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=726222&t=11082005

For AR's I use a Sinclair AR15 link which allows me to use a cradle or varmint rest.

http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=CPACT&item=14-900&type=store

A bore guide with detachable solvent/patch port

http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=CPCRGSR&item=RGAR15&type=store

http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=CPCRGSR&item=RG322&type=store

4 oz plastic squeeze bottles for solvents

http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=CPSCSO&item=01-250&type=store

Minimizes spillage if the bottle falls over.

"Hypo-Type Solvent Cement Applicators" for lubricants

http://www.tapplastics.com/shop/product.php?pid=409&

A patch trap or splatter box

http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse?TabID=6&Categoryid=20116&categorystring=10612***

Empty water or soda bottles
The Boretech Patch Hog is threaded to accept plastic drink bottles. You can also slip the bottle over some muzzles. If the muzzle won't fit in the mouth, cut off the top and slip it over the muzzle.

Their disposable nature makes drink bottles perfect for stronger solvents like Birchwood Casey Gub Scrubber, Kleen-Bore Gunk Out, brake and carburetor cleaners. Some of these will craze, soften or melt the plastic of the Muzzlemate patch trap.

You can find these items at Midway, Sinclair or Brownell's

[rivviepop]

I'm with the rest, I use newspaper and two huge open windows, and sometimes turn a fan on. You may not like this, but incense after cleaning seems to burn that Hoppes #9 smell right out of the air so it doesn't linger. I use "cactus blossom" incense, it seems to work really well.

[Michael303]

I just work near the screen door in the back of my apartment. I have a card board mat that I work on, and if need be I can turn a fan on. The fumes are usually gone in a few hours.

[VeryCoolCat]

Go to the post office and

I thought the end of the sentence would of been funny.... you disappointed me

[Colt]

+1 to MPro7. Works very well - no fumes, etc. is a bonus.