"Break Free CLP"

[Slugz]

Recently I stopped by my local shop and bought a can of the "CLP" product shown below. The guy at the counter had some interesting opinions on the stuff. Said it was an equivalent of something like brake cleaner that leaves no residue and has no lubrication qualities whatsoever. This didnt bother me because I was actually kind of looking for something like that, just a cleaner by itself. But the can DOES say it lubricates, and despite being an aerosol "multi-purpose" cleaner/lubricator (which by definition means it cant offer much lubrication even if it does) I have actually heard and read people say they use this, and ONLY this, as a means of lubricating their AR-15s, and more alarmingly the BCG itself, as a sole method of lubrication!

I have also read that CLP has changed their product formula over the years and some of this info may be outdated. Does anyone have any rock solid personal opinions on this product? I know CLP has several variations of this product including a non aerosol, so I dont know if that makes a difference at all. I just want to know what im getting myself into with this product, and hear it from someone with lots of experience using it.

[voiceofreason]

Been using CLP for decades.

Not the best cleaner, not the best preservative, watery lubricant.

But it does do all three decently.

There are better cleaners, but for anything less than cleaning barrels I'm happy with it.

It's a thin layer of oil as far as lubricating and preserving.

Burns off fairly quickly compared to thicker lubricants or a grease type lubricant.


For a quick clean or range cleaning/lubricating, I'm good with it.


I use it often for kids' type stuff and other non-firearms related issues with not issues.

[CreamyFettucini]

IBFLP (in before FrogLube people)

Break free will do the job. Not an expert but I doubt it's brake cleaner, probably LGS FUD..

[Bruhop89]

Use it on my semi-auto shotgun all the time. Very good for a product that does all three. It does lube. Maybe the guy working there was mixing it up with something else. Birchwood Casey's Gun Scrubber is like brake cleaner.

[G-forceJunkie]

Its worked for decades. Not the best, but it serves 99% of shooters. I also find it one of the better corrosion protectors.

[negolien]

I use a combo of cleaners and lubes. I use Hoppe's solvent then CLP then some hope's lube oil. I also have grease I sometimes use on trigger parts.

[Chaos47]

Clerk must have been thinking of Gunscrubber. That works as a degreaser and will leave parts dry.

CLP while not a replacement for oil in all cases does leave an oil film. Even if you wipe it dry the parts will be slick. Like you said many people use it as the sole cleaner / lube in their AR15. People that suggest you run the bolt soaking wet generally mean CLP.

What it is not good for IMO is cleaning bores. Or spots that need a drop of real oil.

Like others have said its been around and trusted for decades because it works.

[Unit74]

Marine corps for many years....we buy it by the gallon. ARs don't need lots of lube. CLP fits the bill nicely.

[voiceofreason]

Gunscrubber is amazing for what it does (relabeled degreaser). I sprayed the engine cover of a friend's car that looked like it hadn't been cleaned in years.

Shiny.

Personally, I always run an AR bolt dripping wet regardless of what lubricant I'm using. Add more CLP or other lubricant on the bolt during the day if running a few hundred rounds.

[rondeezy]

Ive been trying this stuff out for about a month now. Like others have said, its decent and gets the job done. Im not sure how much everyone else uses but i SOAK my parts down with the aerosol can and let them sit. At first i tried using this product by itself (thats the point right?) but I ended up using it in conjunction with hoppes oil.I think the brake cleaner comparison is made because of how this stuff "breaks free" the carbon allowing it to drip off the gun, similar to brake dust coming off brake parts when sprayed with cleaner.

[rondeezy]

but ya, +1 for using real oil on those spots that need it.

[bsg]

i've been using it for years. when i need an anti-friction agent, i use grease.

[Chaos47]

Gunscrubber is amazing for what it does (relabeled degreaser). I sprayed the engine cover of a friend's car that looked like it hadn't been cleaned in years.

Shiny.

Personally, I always run an AR bolt dripping wet regardless of what lubricant I'm using. Add more CLP or other lubricant on the bolt during the day if running a few hundred rounds.

Yea it is.. It's kinda scary stuff. I know I should wear gloves when cleaning firearms but most of the time I don't. Gunscrubber will dry your skin out and make the top layer white! That plus I have heard that it can melt some plastics means that I don't use it much anymore and only for certain jobs. But if you have a job that needs it it works great. Just make sure to re-oil when done.

[XVIga_Rob]

CLP is good stuff (for an all-in-one)! Used it for 20+ years. Still use it when in the field. I prefer to use a cleaning agent, then oil!

[Slugz]

Typically I use Tetra Gun lube for all my oiling needs and I use this stuff for cleaning all my bores



So the CLP seems to be a good alternative to the slightly dangerous "gunscrubber" product. All the cleaning power needed for light/medium duty jobs (i keep my guns clean... a good teardown and clean after every range trip) without drying things out so bad I have to douse them in oil afterwards. I appreciate all the info I think I should be good to go with the CLP and then a nice coat of Tetra Gun afterwards for the more high friction spots.