What solvent does not harm bluing?

[JCW64]

What is a good solvent to clean up old locktite that won't harm the guns bluing?

 

[Busterswoodshop]

I have used lacquer thinner to remove paint and glue from bluing with no problem at all.
If it has been touched up with cold blue or another cheap touch up it might remove that , but if it is factory blue it should be just fine.

 

[rugerguy]

we use mineral spirits, natural as well as man made, and acetone and kerosene...just stay away from anything that removes RUST, as 'bluing is only controlled oxidation...' Navel jelly, is a NO -NO......
any doubt, try it on an "out of the way spot", like under the grip panels............

 

[ranch23]

For whatever reason I was using Naval Jelly once, had a completed, mildly engraved, already blued, barreled action on another bench, picked it up by the muzzle to move it and left the perfect imprint of my fingers in the freshly removed bluing, have not had Naval Jelly in the shop since, had to have been in 1985 or '86.

 

[woodsy]

I cannot imagine any normal handgun solvent which would harm bluing. However, stay away from ALL acids if possible. Since Loctite is actually an anaerobic-curing plastic, no acids are necessary. Careful, judicious use of methylene chloride (such as in zip-strip) destroys most plastics. Repeat- be careful for yourself, and for the gun.

 

[Sam Summey]

Any kind petrolium based solvent won't hurt the rust bluing, phosphate based degreasers will take the blue off. Sodium hydroxide based degreasers will not hurt blued steel but is reactive with aluminum. Painted finishes are another matter some solvents will soften or remove the paint. Always best to spot test on the inside under the grip.

 

[kywoodwrkr]

Ballistol.

 

[Sam Summey]

Roger, on the Balistol, you can use it for what ails ya, whether it is a physical bodily problem or firearms related.
Loctite is softened with heat also but remove the flamables in the area.

 

[woodsy]

He (the OP) wants to remove the old Loctite, not loosen it. Therefore an organic solvent like methylene chloride is one option, since blueing is a non-organic process. To burn out the old Loctite with heat would at the very least destroy the blueing. Disolving with a safe solvent is the answer.

 

[Sam Summey]

One thing to know about solvent though is Hoppy's #9 will cloud Nickle plating and in time cause it to loosen, blister and peal off of the gun.

 

[Sam Summey]

Another thing about loctite and heat, you don't heat the gun up to even close to damaging the bluing. 250-300 degrees with a heat gun and it melts, you can wipe it off with a rag.

 

[sbyrd]

I've gotten it out wit a hairdryer and a Q-tip it takes alittle while but it works.