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< 16ga. General Discussion ~ Good gun cleaner for killing the corona virus? |
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Posted:
Fri Apr 17, 2020 2:30 pm
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Joined: 17 Mar 2007
Posts: 203
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Been away for a bit guys, so, I hope this finds everyone--and all of yours--well. If this has already been covered I apologize. I looked for it, but...
I know it's a crazy question, but does anyone have any idea what I could use to wipe down firearms to kill the corona virus?
The reason I'm asking is that I am going to take some of my clients shooting sporting clays, trap, and/or skeet. I am going to loan a couple of them shotguns of mine. For their own mental reassurance, as well as mine, I want to wipe the shotguns down with something that would kill the virus.
I have to believe any petroleum-based product would work (e.g. Ballistol, Hoppes, etc.?), but does anyone know, for sure? I haven't seen anything in the gun press about it. When we used to de-horn cattle as a kid, my dad always made us wash our hands and forearms with gasoline.
What I don't want to do is use something like Clorox wipes, etc., that might damage the finish on wood, steel, or aluminum alloy.
Any ideas? Thanks much.
8mmFan |
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Posted:
Fri Apr 17, 2020 3:02 pm
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Member
Joined: 15 Apr 2007
Posts: 9463
Location: Amarillo, Texas
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Posted:
Fri Apr 17, 2020 3:11 pm
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Joined: 08 Oct 2006
Posts: 1395
Location: Tappahannock, Virginia
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Ballistol would be my choice. You can use it on all metal and wood surfaces, so that’s the big plus. |
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Posted:
Fri Apr 17, 2020 3:13 pm
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Joined: 13 Jul 2017
Posts: 39
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Solvents kill virus by drawing the water out of them That is why Ethanol and Isopropyl Alcohol work. (At concentrations over 70%.) The solvent must be water soluble to work. I'm not a medical professional but I suspect Acetone would also work.
Most of the common gun cleaning Chemicals are not water soluble. If they work, it would have to be through a different mechanism then alcohol. I wouldn't bet my butt on it.
Alcohol and Acetone won't damage steel or aluminum. Guns with dipped coating on the barrel, action and or stock shouldn't have a problem with alcohol. Acetone is much less polymer friendly and is more likely to damage polymer finishes. When in doubt, ask the mfg. of the firearm.
Your concern about bleach is well founded. I sure wouldn't used it.
Bill |
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Posted:
Fri Apr 17, 2020 3:17 pm
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Joined: 16 Jul 2015
Posts: 2126
Location: Hudson,Wy
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When I picked up the Cogswell yesterday, I cleaned it with rubbing alcohol soaked paper towel. I oiled the metal work afterwards. |
_________________ Only catch snowflakes on your tongue AFTER the birds fly south for the winter... |
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Posted:
Fri Apr 17, 2020 3:38 pm
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Joined: 17 Mar 2007
Posts: 203
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Thanks, guys. Much appreciated. |
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Posted:
Sat Apr 18, 2020 3:57 am
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Joined: 01 Mar 2017
Posts: 52
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Posted:
Sat Apr 18, 2020 4:25 am
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Joined: 14 Feb 2017
Posts: 401
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Just in case you miss a spot, I’d recommend a good bourbon afterwards as a relaxing way to self medicate/sterilize. |
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Posted:
Sat Apr 18, 2020 8:36 am
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Member
Joined: 21 Dec 2005
Posts: 722
Location: Napoleon, MI
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I'd have to think that prodigious sunshine would work exceptionally well as someone else mentioned. Direct sunlight does kill germs. I dont know how quickly, but it does indeed work.
Would a Clorox Disinfecting Wipe harm something on a traditional firearm?
I wouldn't think it would, but maybe I'm missing something in thinking. |
_________________ Good luck & great hunting,
-Danny Pratt |
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Posted:
Sun Apr 19, 2020 4:01 am
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Member
Joined: 04 Mar 2008
Posts: 1943
Location: Lowcountry Ga.
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As for alcohol being gun friendly, a choke manufacturer I know would routinely run an alcohol swab through his competition gun barrel between shots in competitive "turkey" shoots. His gun patterns were best after doing so between shots. Gil |
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Posted:
Sun Apr 19, 2020 4:45 am
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Joined: 03 Sep 2014
Posts: 398
Location: Rochester, MN
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Dry Gas (gasoline additives for removing water from gasoline) comes in two forms, methanol and isopropyl alcohol.
The isopropyl alcohol is sold as Iso-Heet. It is available at Walmart or many gas stations. I have used it for years to remove oil from rifle barrels or to clean muzzleloaders. It does not harm metal finishes. I do not think it will harm wood finishes. You can test it and see. |
_________________ John Singer |
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Posted:
Mon Apr 20, 2020 7:14 am
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Member
Joined: 21 Dec 2005
Posts: 722
Location: Napoleon, MI
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Isopropyl Alcohol shouldnt harm the wood finishes. It does tend to dry out the oil finishes , but it doesnt damage them.
Good idea |
_________________ Good luck & great hunting,
-Danny Pratt |
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Posted:
Mon Apr 20, 2020 7:17 am
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Member
Joined: 21 Dec 2005
Posts: 722
Location: Napoleon, MI
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Isopropyl Alcohol shouldnt harm the wood finishes. It does tend to dry out the oil finishes , but it doesnt damage them.
Good idea |
_________________ Good luck & great hunting,
-Danny Pratt |
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Posted:
Tue Apr 21, 2020 4:12 am
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Member
Joined: 08 Oct 2006
Posts: 1395
Location: Tappahannock, Virginia
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One part ballistol to three or four parts isopropyl alcohol should be an effective mixture. Ballistol forms an emulsion with water, so should mix nicely with the rubbing alcohol. Get one of the small spray bottles near the hair dying supplies and spray on, leave a minute, wipe excess off with a cloth then let dry in the sun for a while. Sunlight, although has some anti microbial action, is just to dry off the alcohol mostly. Amount of UV Required to kill Coronavirus exceeds concentration of UV in sunlight. |
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Posted:
Tue Apr 21, 2020 6:08 am
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Joined: 12 Sep 2010
Posts: 1973
Location: Maine
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hayseed wrote: |
Just in case you miss a spot, I’d recommend a good bourbon afterwards as a relaxing way to self medicate/sterilize.
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You beat me to it. Whiskey. Cures all. Cleans all. |
_________________ “A man’s rights rest in three boxes: the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box.”
Frederick Douglass, November 15, 1867, speech in Williamsport, Pa. |
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