Slightly off topic public safety notice

[ZeSpectre]

You are cleaning your firearm, you rinse it with cleaner or dip it in kerosene and scrub, then blast it dry with compressed air.

Many of us do this, I know I do.

Well I just finished reading a journal article (sorry no online version) regarding the issues of inhaling solvents that have been atomized by compressed air and a rapidly increasing concern over the damage these micro-particles can do to the lungs [EDIT: because of how long they remain in the air, 15 minutes or more, so you shouldn't "blow" and then take your mask right off). The article strongly recommends you wear, at minimum, a paper filter mask while blowing things clean with compressed air (and eye protection of course).

Just thought I'd mention it as a PSA in case anyone cares.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled threads

[OAKVILLE SHOOTER]

Thanks for the heads-up.

[Bubbles]

Thanks. We deal with solvents and other chemicals. I'll pass the tip along to the hubby, though for the most part he doesn't use compressed air to quick-dry the guns.

[ZeSpectre]

Apparently the atomized particles are so tiny that they will remain in the air for as long as 15 minutes <YIKES>. I had no idea until I read the article.

[Z-Michigan]

Appreciate the PSA. If you don't mind, I will add my own: there are now effective firearm cleaning products that are nontoxic and not especially unpleasant to deal with. FP-10 is one example, Hoppes Elite and Mpro-7 is another example. The exposure to lead from primer residue is enough of a risk - why not avoid all the nasty solvents that you can?

[yooper_sjd]

use to do that for 20 yrs in the navy, and no ill effects (cough, cough, wwweeeeeeeeeeze) here. Ya found that out shortly after i retired. now i wear a face mask now when doing it.

[230RN]

I used to use paper masks, but I went out and got a regular cartridged face mask for this and other purposes.

When I "deep clean" my house, I usually put two 19" fans in two windows blowing in at max and open the rest of the windows. I then don the mask and go around with my two-gallon compressor and blast dust out of every cranny and nook, starting with the rooms with the fans.

Then I get the h3ll out of there for at least a half hour.

Then I go around with a regular duster and then vac the floors.

Then I take a shower.

Then I start messing up the house again.

Cleaning/dirtying is an equilibrium equation. All you can do is try to shift the equilibrium toward clean.

A little.

Shave before you use the masks.

Terry, 230RN

[FreezeGopher]

Could you please post the cite for the article you are referring too. I have been complaining about the health risk of cleaning firearms with compressed air hoses to my department for a while to no avail. Thanks.

[JeffDilla]

Shave before you use the masks

That is some of the most sound advice you'll ever find on an internet forum. Seriously

[ZeSpectre]

FreezeGopher,
I'll go back to the library and see if I can find it again. It was one of those "side articles" that I just happened to make note of while researching something else but I should be able to find it again.

[FreezeGopher]

Thank You ZeSpectre

[TEDDY]

common sense went out the window I guess.

[Zipperhead]

230 RN:

I usually put two 19" fans in two windows blowing in at max and open the rest of the windows.

In my professional opinion, you may be better served reversing your process by having the fans blow outward and working from the most remote areas toward the fans and finishing there. This way you will avoid pulling as much dust and particles into the house and will be assisted in quickly exhausting suspended particles in the air. Same principle as the exhaust fans in your bathroom to remove odors and moisture.

Just a thought....

Zip

[230RN]

Well, maybe, Zipperhead, but I'm looking at exhaust velocity to sweep the stuff out.

Besides, with them blowing out, effluvia then has to go through the fan and the window screens and some would get trapped on those two items.

Which I would then have to clean as well.

I should have said "and open the rest of the windows and doors."

Also besides, the thrust from blowing in holds them in the windows. If they were blowing out, I'd have to rig something to hold them in the windows. (They're aluminum-framed sliding windows.)

But thanks for your insights.

I've 'sperimented with the method a lot.

I would highly recommend a compressor* in the kitchen for all kinds of things... cleaning electric razors, drying off eyeglasses, what-not. Highly utilitarian, except housewife-type humans would object to "that ugly big machine sitting in my pretty kitchen."

Well, to me, it's a handsome, highly utilitarian, compact, efficient appliance useful for all kinds of things around the household. And since it's only a two-gallon unit, it has a handle on it and I can conveniently carry it around.

But then, I'm a bachelor, and can get away with having such a handsome, highly utilitarian, compact, efficient appliance in my kitchen/workshop.

Now how'd that screwdriver get into the dishwasher?

Terry, 230RN

* Since I live in an apartment, I have it slung with bungee-cords from screw-eyes I drove into the bottom of the kitchen table, but with it also partly supported by thick foam rubber underneath. This, for reduction of transmitted noise to the rest of the apartments. Quieter than an air conditioner, isolated that way. At least until it gets near the pressure cutoff point, where it then starts to chug a little louder.

Ah, man, I love being a bachelor.

[Dookie]

I am still interested in the kerosene comment. Why would you you use such an obviously dangerous chemical to clean a firearm? Unless it is so caked with grease is has to be, in that case, why not just have it hot tanked?

And I thought my foaming bore cleaner is bad, no way I would mess with kerosene like than.