How to clean a gun barrel of carbon fouling and preserve a gun

To clean a gun barrel of carbon fouling and preserve a gun for storage, use gun oil with a reinforced formula: it cleans fouling from the barrel and mechanisms and leaves an invisible nanocoating that stops corrosion and protects metal for at least 1 year. Moving parts — the trigger mechanism, bolt, springs and folding parts — are lubricated with gun lube. Both products are applied at −20 °C to +35 °C, and the nanocoating sets in 10 minutes.

What you need

Gun oil, 210 ml

Fortified formula

Gun lube, 210 ml

For moving parts

Where fouling and corrosion come from

After shooting, combustion products — carbon fouling — remain in the bore and the mechanisms. Together with moisture from the environment they attack the metal, and over time corrosion appears. Gun oil stops corrosion at any stage and prevents it from forming, and its nanocoating makes the next cleaning easier.

How to clean a gun barrel and preserve a gun: step by step

1. Prepare the gun. Make sure the gun is unloaded, with no cartridges in the chamber or magazine. If cleaning requires disassembly, strip the gun only as far as its manual allows.
2. Shake the can. This is essential before use. Apply NANOPROTECH Gun oil at −20 °C to +35 °C.
3. Apply oil to the fouled surfaces. Treat the bore and outer surface of the barrel, the receiver and the mechanisms, and give the oil a few minutes to soften the fouling. The reinforced formula is designed for cleaning fouling, including quick cleaning in the field.
4. Remove the fouling. Run a brush on a cleaning rod through the bore, then push clean patches through until they come out clean. Repeat the treatment if the fouling is heavy.
5. Apply a protective coat. Cover the bore, the barrel surface, the receiver and other metal parts with a thin coat of oil. The nanocoating sets in 10 minutes; then wipe off the excess, but do not wipe the metal dry.
6. Lubricate the moving parts. Shake the can of NANOPROTECH Gun lube spray and treat the trigger, bolt and recoil mechanisms, springs and folding parts — stocks, bipods, magazines. The lube goes on over the oil: the products are compatible. Wipe off the excess after 10 minutes.
7. Let the protection form. The oil and lube reach maximum protection after 24 hours: keep the gun in a dry, ventilated place for this time before putting it in its case or safe. Protection lasts 1 year or more from application if the storage and use requirements are met.

To restore a worn finish on the barrel, see cold bluing a gun barrel.

Why it may not work

• Mechanisms are stiff in frost. Surplus oil or lube thickens in the cold and can slow down the action. Apply both thinly and wipe off the excess after 10 minutes, especially from the trigger mechanism and bolt; the coating itself protects against freezing down to −80 °C.
• The gun is stored in the damp. Apply oil to clean, dry metal without fingerprints and store the gun in a dry, ventilated place; repeat the treatment after rain, snow or shooting. The oil does not dissolve rust: remove loose rust mechanically first.

Safety precautions

Gun oil and gun lube are flammable aerosols in pressurised cans. Do not heat the can above +50 °C or leave it in direct sunlight, and do not spray near open flames, hot objects or live equipment. Work in a well-ventilated room, keep cans out of the reach of children and do not pierce or burn them, even after use. If the product gets into the eyes, rinse with water; on skin, wash with soap and water.

Frequently asked questions