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Posted: 12/17/2008 7:04:34 AM EDT
| as a cleaner what say ye |
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As a "field expedient", Diesel fuel would suffice as it would leave behind a very light oily residue that would have some lubrication/protectant qualities. There are, however, better options available like Hoppes #9 (kerosene based) that will do quite well in the role for cleaning your weapon and are not at all expensive to begin with. If it is all that you have, I suppose that it would work considering that it has both solvent and lubricating qualities. If you are looking for something that "does-it-all", I would suggest the use of Break-Free CLP.
With that thought in mind, I use Mobil 1 Synthetic 20w50 (VTWIN) as my "primary" "go-to" firearms' lubricant because it is simply the best and most tenancious lubricant that I have ever used in that role even though it is widely regarded by many as an "expedient" or "alternative" small arms lubricant. Just because something is a "field expedient" or an "alternative" does not mean that it is not just as effective as the "task specific" products and in some cases they may even exceed them in their performance. As a cleaning agent, I suppose that it would do just fine as it possesses about the same health risk as any of the other petroleum based gun cleaning solvents while providing the solvency necessary to do the job. Of course, YMMV. (I know, bad pun. Had to do it.  )
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Quoted:
Got some diesel on my shirt sleeve this fall while changing fuel filters on the tractor. Took at least 5 washings to remove the smell. I'll stick with regular gun cleaners. I got a bunch of fuel on some jeans once ..... way more than 5 washings - - never could get 'em clean. Ended up pitching them in the trash. |
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Never tried Diesel but when I was a kid we used gasonline to clean parts. Under the direction of a family member I even once used it aerosolized with a compressed air line and a suction tube stuck in a bucket of the stuff.... it is a true wonder kids ever survive long enough to become adults. Dont' try that!
After painting limb cuts on avocado trees with tar, we tried soaking our clothes in it to remove the tar. It worked, but as the poster above stated, the clothes are pretty much permanently ruined after that no matter how many times you wash them. Always smelled like they would catch on fire if anywhere near a spark. OK - I am rambling, sorry. |
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When we were doing boarding parties in the Navy, the guns would frequently get wet with salt spray, that stuff will cause rust in a hurry. We kept a covered drum of JP5 (basically, diesel fuel) on the fantail. When you got back to the ship; unload, wipe the salt off the exterior, dunk gun in diesel, remove, and shake/wipe/blow off the excess. Hand it to the next guy who would reload and go to work.
We would give the guns a proper cleaning when able, but the diesel worked as a quick water displacer/cleaner/lube. BTW, the guns were M97 shotguns, Thompsons, BARs, Garands, 1911s. That was a while ago. 
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Just want to point out that motor oil is hydroscopic to help remove water condensation from the lower end of engines.
For a while I've used ATF as it is not made to absorb water and makes an excellent all-around lube and cleaner ~if you can deal with the smell and red color. |
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