Are you wondering if WD40 is suitable for cleaning your gun? The question of whether WD40 is suitable for cleaning guns has been debated among gun owners and firearms enthusiasts for many years.
For some, the mere mention of WD40 brings up images of a shining gun barrel and pristine parts. Others may be skeptical about using such a seemingly flimsy product for something as serious as gun maintenance.
So, can you use WD40 to clean a gun? Yes, you can use WD40 to clean a gun in emergency situations or when disassembling your firearm. However, it is not recommended for regular cleaning. Ultimately, it is up to the gun owner whether they would like to use WD40 for their firearm cleaning needs.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of using WD40 to clean guns so that you can make an informed decision about what’s right for your firearm.
Read on to find out the pros and cons of using WD40 on guns.
Can You Use WD40 To Clean A Gun?
The short answer to this question is yes, you can use WD40 to clean a gun in certain circumstances.
It may be used as an emergency cleaner if your firearm has been dropped into water or exposed to other moisture that could cause rusting and corrosion of the metal parts. This is because WD stands for water displacement.
Using it on disassembled guns for deep cleaning purposes when there are no alternatives available might also prove helpful, though proper oil should always be applied after using the product before storage.
However, many firearms enthusiasts would not recommend the regular use of WD40 for cleaning guns. The aerosol applicator can cause grime to be blown inside the crevices, and it does not provide any lubrication or protection against further dirt build-up, which are both crucial elements in gun maintenance.
Therefore, if you want to keep your gun clean and in optimal condition, it is best to use a specialized cleaner or lubricant that has been designed specifically for firearms.
Why You Should Use A Gun Oil Instead
Using a gun oil instead of WD-40 is the best option for cleaning and protecting firearms. Gun oils are specifically designed to penetrate deep into metal parts, displacing moisture that can cause rusting or corrosion while also providing lubrication where needed.
Gun oils are also designed to cling and stay in place for longer, meaning that the lubrication is more effective over an extended period of time. This means less frequent cleaning or maintenance as well.
Additionally, gun oil does not evaporate as WD-40 can, so it provides a longer-lasting protective layer for your gun.
Finally, because it is specifically designed for firearms, you can be sure that the lubricant won’t cause any harm to your gun’s finish or parts like WD40 could due to its use of mineral spirits and other solvents.
Therefore if you want quality results when cleaning and protecting guns, using a specialized gun oil instead of WD-40 will give you the best results.
How To Use WD-40 On A Gun?
When using WD-40 to clean a gun, you want to make sure that it is applied in the right way. First, remove any rust or dirt from your firearm with a brush and then apply some WD-40 onto an old cloth. This will help to prevent the WD-40 from spreading and damaging any of your gun’s surfaces or parts.
Once you have applied a thin layer on the surface, it is time to wipe down all areas thoroughly with another clean cloth so that no material remains behind in crevices or hard-to-reach places.
Finally, use a dry cloth to ensure that the gun is completely dry before reassembling or storing it safely away.
It is important to remember that WD-40 should only be used as a last resort when cleaning your gun. While it can help remove grime and moisture from the surface, its residue may affect how well lubricants or protectants work on your firearm over time.
Therefore, after using WD-40 for cleanup purposes you’ll want to make sure that any remaining coating left behind is removed by properly caring for and maintaining your weapon with an appropriate cleaner or oil according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Finally, no matter what kind of firearms maintenance product you use – whether it’s WD-40 or something else entirely – taking a gun safety class is a great way to ensure that you are properly caring for your firearm.
Difference Between WD-40 & Gun Oil
The primary difference between WD-40 and gun oil is their intended purpose. Gun oil, as the name implies, is specifically designed to lubricate and protect firearms from corrosion or dirt buildup.
On the other hand, while WD-40 can be used for various purposes (e.g., removing grease or rust), it isn’t actually a lubricant. Instead, WD-40 is made of mineral oil, water repellents, and solvents designed to displace moisture (i.e., prevent rust) but doesn’t provide any lasting protection or lubrication for your firearms.
Another key difference between the two products is their longevity on gun parts: while some believe that WD-40 provides adequate short-term lubrication, gun oil will last much longer and provide superior protection.
This is because WD-40 evaporates quickly once applied to a surface; in contrast, the base oils used for most gun oils are generally slow evaporation solvents that cling more tightly onto surfaces.
Additionally, due to its chemical composition (i.e., mineral oil), WD-40 can leave behind an oily residue on your firearm’s parts after application.
This often leads to dirt buildup, which then causes further wear and tear of those components over time if not properly cleaned off with a suitable solvent/cleaner or degreaser prior to applying any new lubricant/protection product such as gun oil.
Can You Use WD-40 As A Gun Lube And Preservative?
Yes, WD-40 can be used as a gun lube and preservative. However, it’s important to note that this product should not be relied upon for regular gun maintenance.
WD-40 is made primarily of petroleum distillates and may not offer the same level of protection as specialized lubricants designed specifically for guns, such as oils or silicone-based products.
Furthermore, using this product too often can lead to an accumulation of dirt and residue that may be difficult to remove. This is especially true for semi-automatic firearms, which require frequent cleaning and lubrication in order to prevent malfunctions or hazardous discharges.
As such, WD-40 should only be used as a short-term fix when other gun lubes are not available. It’s better suited for removing dirt and grime rather than providing long-term lubrication.
What Kind Of Oil Can I Use To Clean My Gun?
The type of gun oil you use to clean your gun is important, as different types may be better suited for certain firearms or cleaning tasks.
Generally, a quality firearms lubricant such as CLP (cleaner/lubricant/preservative) or bore solvent is recommended for cleaning and lubricating firearms.
WD40 can be used to clean guns, but it should not replace a quality firearm oil as its water-repellency properties make it inadequate for lubricating or protecting firearms from corrosion.
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Final Words
WD-40 can be used for cleaning guns in certain cases. However, it is not recommended as a regular gun maintenance product due to its lack of lubrication and protection properties compared to specialized firearms oils or cleaners.
If you want the best results when caring for your firearm, then using a dedicated cleaner/lubricant will ensure it is properly maintained and protected from dirt, grime, or rust.
Always be sure to read the instructions on any cleaning product you use for your guns to ensure that it’s applied correctly according to manufacturer guidelines. Doing so will help keep your firearm clean and functioning as intended while protecting its valuable parts against wear and tear.