Is it OK to use brake cleaner or carb cleaner on LCR?

Checking to see if it will damage the finish or internals to use brake cleaner or carb cleaner on the polymer parts of the LCR--I like to give nine a good flushing every 4-5 cleanings ---nothing I could find in the search addressed this

1 - consult owners manual

2 - use CLP or something similar and specific for firearms

I would not use that stuff it will melt most plastics not sure what it would do to polymer or the lcr.
Don't take a chance.

I would hate to see my gun melt, maybe even shed a tear. As already stated, be safe and use a gun specific product. To paraphrase a Lucas Oil product, "keep that gun alive"!

I've never had a problem using non-chlorinated CRC Brakleen Brake Parts Cleaner on my polymer framed guns, and will continue to do so. It's as mild as Gun Scrubber for a fraction of the cost. It's available at auto parts stores. Dunno about using carb cleaner. The carb cleaner I use in my shop is pretty strong!

http://www.crcindustries.com/products/brakleen-174-brake-parts-cleaner-scaqmd-1171-compliant-14-wt-oz-05151.html

Cholo said:

I've never had a problem using non-chlorinated CRC Brakleen Brake Parts Cleaner on my polymer framed guns, and will continue to do so. It's as mild as Gun Scrubber for a fraction of the cost. It's available at auto parts stores. Dunno about using carb cleaner. The carb cleaner I use in my shop is pretty strong!

http://www.crcindustries.com/products/brakleen-174-brake-parts-cleaner-scaqmd-1171-compliant-14-wt-oz-05151.html

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+1, non-chlorinated Brakleen okay.

May be fine but my revolvers are important to me! I use GUN CLEANING products!
If it were mine I'd use Gun Cleaning Products leave the Brake Cleaner for auto mechanics. Why would you want to use automotive products on your guns?
I don't get it! ps

Someone said "it's as mild as gunscrubber"....gunscrubber is NOT mild. It will melt plastic.
Many gunowners have had their plastic trigger guards and magazine wells melt away with gunscrubber.
I would use something mild, Hoppes Elite is said to be mild stuff and plastic friendly.

Gun Scrubber is synthetic safe. I don't know why some people have said it caused their synthetic guns to melt. Possibly it was older GS that wasn't safe, though it never caused me any problems.

https://shop.birchwoodcasey.com/products/gun-scrubber-synthetic-firearm-cleaner-15-fl-oz-aerosol.html

"Gun" specific cleaners and lubes are merely industrial cleaners and lubes with the "gun" specific label and price tag added. Some economical automotive products will work fantastically for gun maintenance.

I've used brake cleaner on metal gun parts for years with no issues. Plastic and polymer are another matter. I only use products which state specifically on the label that they are polymer safe. These products are getting harder to find and I usually buy a couple of cans when I find it.

Another vote for CRC Brakleen Brake Parts Cleaner (don't have but one plastic gun though)... It's also wise to use some common sense.... that keeps the wood and plastics safe from mistakes .
The reason: simple economics: one is MUCH less expensive than the other.

I have to admit that I just use Hoppes #9 almost exclusively now.... it does the trick on my 'always cleaned' guns. No need for 'tough love' here.

IMHO,
J.

Yep, non-chlorinated Brakleen is OK; https://www.crcindustries.com/products/brakleen-174-pro-series-brake-parts-cleaner-non-chlorinated-18-wt-oz-05088ps.html . CRC green can.

Cholo said:

I've never had a problem using non-chlorinated CRC Brakleen Brake Parts Cleaner on my polymer framed guns, and will continue to do so. It's as mild as Gun Scrubber for a fraction of the cost. It's available at auto parts stores. Dunno about using carb cleaner. The carb cleaner I use in my shop is pretty strong!

http://www.crcindustries.com/products/brakleen-174-brake-parts-cleaner-scaqmd-1171-compliant-14-wt-oz-05151.html

Click to expand...

Times 2 , I've used non chlorinated on min and wife's lcr's zero problems.

I keep 'green' brake parts cleaner in the basement for use on guns. The 'regular' stuff stays in the shop. I'm not sure I'd just hose down a polymer gun with any of it.

What Woodpuppy said . Read the various MSDS , and many " gun products " are chemically identical to corresponding automotive or industrial product .

Another verified one - Castrol Gun Oil is Castrol 10W- 30 synthetic repackaged into tiny bottles that say " Gun" .

You already know about brake cleaner. Avoid choke cleaner. It eats everything! I can see it devouring a polymer gun. ( hmmmm, honest atf i lost my guns in cleaning accident)

mikld said:

Yep, non-chlorinated Brakleen is OK; https://www.crcindustries.com/products/brakleen-174-pro-series-brake-parts-cleaner-non-chlorinated-18-wt-oz-05088ps.html . CRC green can.

Click to expand...

I've heard the same, many times, over the years.

Can anyone explain "chlorinated" vs. "non-chlorinated," and why the latter is acceptable, but apparently the former is not?

The red can chlorinated is pretty harsh. I sprayed a big bug with it on my garage floor and it turned the concrete permanently white.

I just noticed that Brakleen makes non chlorinated in both the red and the green can. The red can I have doesn't say non chlorinated. I'd play it safe and use the non chlorinated green can.

Here's the difference in a nut shell. Other than this you can zoom in on the labels of both cans. I warn you--the list of ingredients is longer than the Wall Street Journal

https://itstillruns.com/brake-cleaner-ingredients-5985776.html

Give it the sniff test - if it smells like Hoppe's #9 it's safe to use on guns.