Windex Cleans "right now"

[springfield art]

A recent issue of Guns & Ammo, the writer of a column on black powder shooting, mentioned that common, good ol' WINDEX glass cleaner, which contains ammonia and other solvents, will dissolve black powder residue instantly. I'm going to try it. BTW, G&A, picking up on increased interest in Black Powder shooting, started doing a column dedicated to basics of shooting BP revolvers, etc. (I don't recall the writer's name offhand).

 

[BillyC]

I started using Windex a few months ago and am happy with the results.

 

[Grimord]

I have been using windshield washer fluid for barrel cleaning during a shoot with great results for years. 1 gallon of the blue stuff goes a long way.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

I've read that the Windex with vinegar works even better, if you can find it. I just use plain old fashioned water.

 

[deermanok]

Been using windex for a while now. Works great.

 

[azmntman]

OK, I will try. Been 15 years since I bought into this.....

 

[Stub]

For years I swiped the barrel between shots at matches with various commercial cleaners or soapy water. This year I started seating the patched round ball with a wet patch over the jag on range rod. I've used commercial cleaners or soapy water on the patch but plain water seems to work just as good.
I feel that my new method is less likely to have water get into the powder. As a bonus using the wet patch while loading is faster than wiping between shots.

 

[aussie pete]

A recent issue of Guns & Ammo, the writer of a column on black powder shooting, mentioned that common, good ol' WINDEX glass cleaner, which contains ammonia and other solvents, will dissolve black powder residue instantly. I'm going to try it. BTW, G&A, picking up on increased interest in Black Powder shooting, started doing a column dedicated to basics of shooting BP revolvers, etc. (I don't recall the writer's name offhand).

I've said it before. Windex has been used for ages!

Pete

 

[nit wit]

I have been using glass cleaner for years.
Nit Wit

 

[tjiann]

I've said it before. Windex has been used for ages!

Pete

View attachment 243174

 

[Okie Hog]

Been using Windex with vinegar; now called Windex Multipurpose Cleaner, since reading an article written by Mike Venturino, Black Powder Editor of Shooting Times magazine, about 25 years ago.

Before leaving the range i swab the bore with a patch wet with Windex with vinegar. Sometimes you can see it fizz as the Windex neutralizes and dissolves the fouling.

At home i patch the bore dry and run a patch wet with tap water, patch the water dry and swab the bore with a patch moist with WD-40 to dry the water.

No, it won't harm your gun, stuff contains 3 percent of acetic acid.

 

[Calum]

At home, I use hot water. In the field, I carry a little bottle of windshield washer cleaner. Works great, and don't have to heat it up like water.

Mike

 

[IanH]

You don't need to heat the water.

My problem with many patch lubes and snake oil BP solvents is they ruin oil finishes.

If you don't put oil in the barrel, then it will clean with pure water.

If you DO put oil in the barrel, you will need an emulsifier (soap), a detergent (dispersant/surfacant), or a solvent (alcohol, paint thinner, acetone, etc.) to remove it along with the powder fouling that is mixed in.

Ballistol is a mediocre cleaner but even with the two different kinds of alcohol in it, it still doesn't hurt most finishes. Dawn/Palmolive/Joy are hard on a linseed oil finish. Simple Green and Murphy's oil soap will strip it right off. #13, Spit Patch cleaner, and Hoppe's 9+ will stain a finish with milky streaks. Windex too, especially around the muzzle wood end grain if you use it on patches.

Spit and WWWF work well as patch lube. Windex works great as a solvent, one of the best, but keep it off your oil finish.

 

[kyron4]

I use windex when shooting corrosive ammo in milsurplus rifles. With BP I use 91% alcohol at the range when I need to swab due to the fact it dries quickly .

 

[necchi]

good ol' WINDEX glass cleaner, which contains ammonia and other solvents, will dissolve black powder residue instantly. I'm going to try it.

You should, soap and water have been working for 100's of years, can't beat old reliable.
I just never wanted to pay "Windex" extra for their mix,,the squirt bottle is handy though,,

 

[TDM]

I've said it before. Windex has been used for ages!

Pete

View attachment 243174

That’s all the proof I need.

 

[kyron4]

That’s all the proof I need.

That's how he got 40 extra yards with silk patches !

 

[SOLANCO]

Will a chemist chime in please? What in Windex does in the fouling? Ammonia? Acetic acid/vinegar? Stock damage aside, why not just use one or the other straight?

 

[Eutycus]

I use it in a small spraybottle along with Alcohol. My Windex/Alcohol is pretty good at cleaning almost anything. Just a spritz seems to do the job. But then again maybe it's the elbow grease behind the cleaning?

 

[TDM]

I just wish Windex came in Camo bottles.