Got my Tanfoglio back from the gunsmith

[Gunnerdad80]

Picked up my 1989 Tanfoglio Combat from the gunsmith this past Tuesday and it looks fantastic. It needed some metal repair and I had it reblued. The gunsmith put a good layer of grease all over the gun for storage until I was able to make it out there to pick it up.

My question is, is it safe to use something like Break Free brand “Powder Blast Gun Cleaner” on a freshly hot blued gun to completely strip all grease and oil off of it so I can properly oil it with my usual gun oil? I just don’t wanna damage the beautiful blue finish.

I will post some pics as soon as I get a chance.

[jwc007]

Whatever you use, DON'T use anything with Acetone in it as it may discolor the Bluing.

Back in the Day I used Stoddard Solvent, Ballistol, or WD-40 to remove Cosmoline from DCM/CMP M1-Garands, Springfields, and other Surplus Rifles.
You could use standard Automotive Brake Cleaner, so long as it has no Acetone in it.
Electrical Connector Cleaner also works and don't use it if it has Silicone in it.

[Gunnerdad80]

Whatever you use, DON'T use anything with Acetone in it as it may discolor the Bluing.

Back in the Day I used Stoddard Solvent, Ballistol, or WD-40 to remove Cosmoline from DCM/CMP M1-Garands, Springfields, and other Surplus Rifles.
You could use standard Automotive Brake Cleaner, so long as it has no Acetone in it.
Electrical Connector Cleaner also works and don't use it if it has Silicone in it.

Good deal. Thanks jwc007!

I will post some before and after pics and some side-by-side pics next to my AT-84s. The Tanfoglio Combat was built with leftover parts from the ITM contract, including the rear sight.

[ViperM]

Take the grips off, dunk it in mineral spirits and brush it off.

[Gunnerdad80]

Take the grips off, dunk it in mineral spirits and brush it off.

Mineral spirits will remove the grease and oil? Where would I find that?

[ViperM]

Home Depot or Lowes should have it.

[AZ_CZ]

I would contact the gunsmith and use what he recommends. Call me suspicious but I don’t understand why the heavy grease unless it’s suppose to be in storage for years or he is just covering something up. Or he knew my old time guy.

 Years ago an old timer told me to take my fresh blued gun and set in the sun to get nice and warm. Then use a basic gun oil and cover it up, inside an out. Keep it the sun and let it “soak”; the longer, the warmer, the better. He had a crazy theory about metal and chemical reaction, but I can testify that on 2 guns, an UZI an AK builds.  It really did improve the depth of color.

[Gunnerdad80]

I would contact the gunsmith and use what he recommends. Call me suspicious but I don’t understand why the heavy grease unless it’s suppose to be in storage for years or he is just covering something up. Or he knew my old time guy.

 Years ago an old timer told me to take my fresh blued gun and set in the sun to get nice and warm. Then use a basic gun oil and cover it up, inside an out. Keep it the sun and let it “soak”; the longer, the warmer, the better. He had a crazy theory about metal and chemical reaction, but I can testify that on 2 guns, an UZI an AK builds.  It really did improve the depth of color.

I hear ya. I feel like they did a really nice job on it though. I’ll try and get it cleaned up ASAP and get some pics posted.

[warbird1]

Guncrafter (high end 1911's) says to use WD-40 on their flat black melonite finish.

[Sebspeed]

Lay the gun on an old towel or rag and use a hair dryer to get it to the upper side of warm - the grease will melt and run off and/or wipe off easily. Use another rag soaked with WD40 to remove the rest of the grease(WD will thin the grease). Then use a clean rag to give it a final wipe down and coat with rem oil or a light coat of WD40.

[Gunnerdad80]

The goal is to completely strip every bit of grease and oil off the gun so that I can use one oil and avoid mixing. WD40 will leave a residue.

[jwc007]

You could use standard Automotive Brake Cleaner, so long as it has no Acetone in it.

My previous recommendation of Automotive Disc Brake Cleaner stands as it will evaporate very quickly leaving no trace of itself.
Use it only in a well ventilated area.  For use on Metal only and do not get it on the Grips.