Clenzoil Guncare Products

GMK have recently added the Clenzoil name to their already impressive list of products. The Clenzoil range includes several gun care options but the most recognisable is their special formula cleaner/ lubricant/protective solution, which comes in various forms and is also included in their gun cleaning kits. Like most shooters, I have a variety of different cleaning solutions and products on the workbench, so I decided to take a look at what Clenzoil had to offer.
The Clenzoil product is not new, originating back in 1948 when the inventor, Ellis Christian Lenz, was searching for a better cleaner/rust inhibitor for firearms and also for engineering applications. The solution, which is light green in colour, has the characteristics of fine oil and a smell all its own. In its basic form, it is a viscous liquid but the foaming aerosol version has a creamier and firmer consistency, which stays where you put it for longer

The solution options

The first version on test was the Field & Range Solution, which comes with both a closable pouring spout and a trigger spray nozzle. The pouring spout is ideal for applying the solution to a cleaning patch, while the trigger spray is perfect for getting the solution into the barrel without any mess. The trigger unit also has a built-in lock, to ensure it only sprays when you want it to. A quick spray down the barrel, followed by a patch gets the solution where it needs to be. I was impressed to see that, even in a barrel previously cleaned with another product, the Clenzoil soaked patch came out dirty.

Secondly, I tried the Field & Range Foaming Aerosol. This is also in a spray form but the Clenzoil comes out in a thick foaming lather, not dissimilar to shaving foam. It retains its volume for a short time and really fills any space you put in into. With the detachable plastic pipe attached to the nozzle, I filled the action of my Ruger 10/22 with it and waited for a few minutes for it to seep out of the underside of the gun. The amount of dirt that it brought out with it was a bit of a surprise, as I considered the gun to be pretty much clean inside. The foaming properties of this product allow it to really penetrate and get to those hard to reach spots. When sprayed up the barrel of a gun, and followed by a tight-fitting patch, the foam is pushed forward as a ‘mass’ occupying all the bore and contacting the whole surface. Again, the cleaning effect was very good With both versions, the Clenzoil not only cleans but it also lubricates and protects the surfaces that it is applied to. It leaves behind a very fine coating, without making the surfaces greasy to the touch, which seals out moisture and so prevents rusting. For application as a lubricant/sealer, without doing the cleaning, the product also comes in a Needle oiler, a 1ounce bottle with a fine metal application needle to get right into all those nooks and crannies. The needle length is ideal for reaching right inside the action and fine enough to allow a slow drip of fluid to be applied by tipping the bottle, rather than squeezing it.

Multiple uses

All the versions on the Clenzoil fluid are not only safe to use on stocks and all types of coatings, like gold inlays and case treatments, but the manufacturers also state that Clenzoil will condition leather and also stop wooden stocks from drying out, making it ideal for application to guns that are going to be stored for any length of time. For owners of antique and vintage weapons, this would be an ideal protective coating for their prized collection. Any metal surface can be given a quick coat of Clenzoil using a suitable applicator cloth, so its use need not be restricted to firearms, I have already used it in one my wood chisels and other tools and there is no nasty, greasy mess to worry about.

The rust test

To see just how good the Clenzoil is, I devised a simple test: I took two steel woodscrews, and sprayed one of them with Clenzoil. After allowing the sprayed screw to dry, I placed them both outside on the ground and left them for two days. The unprotected screw rusted over much of its surface as you would expect, the screw coated in Clenzoil was as clean and shiny as it was when it came out of the box. Maybe not the most scientific test in the world, but good enough to prove just how effective the product is.

Cleaning Kits

In addition to the fluid products, the Clenzoil range also includes some great cleaning kits. The Multi Gauge Shotgun Kit comes in a good quality nylon waterresistant case, with plenty of Velcro and press stud straps for attaching it to either a back pack or your belt. Inside the case is a rigid plastic box that holds the various brushes, mops and jags, and a mesh pocket that holds the cable, pull handle, patches and a small bottle of Clenzoil. This is one of the best portable cleaning kits I have seen and all the elements are good quality. Well laid out and compact, it has everything you need to clean a shotgun out in the field, and a gun dropped in a wet field could easily be cleaned and protected with the contents of this kit.

The big one!

On a somewhat larger scale, there is the 33 Piece Universal Rod System Cleaning Kit. Inside, two rigid plastic boxes contain a multitude of cleaning brushes, mops and jags and a mesh pocket holds a cable, pull handle and various adaptors and cleaning patches. A 2oz spray bottle of Clenzoil is also included. As well as all the forgoing bits and pieces, there is also a set of cleaning rods and herein lies my only gripe with this kit. The picture and the text on the packaging describe ‘aluminium’ rods but what is actually included is a set of iron rods, and an iron jag, which immediately set off alarm bells with me. I have never liked the idea of iron clanking down my very expensive gun barrels, so I raised my concerns with GMK. The response they got from the manufacturers was that the US military insist on iron rods, due to the better strength and durability of the material compared to aluminium. They also state that the hardness of the iron used is considerably less than that of the hardened steel used in the manufacture of firearms. I assume that the US military, in common with our own armed forces, have a ‘throw away’ mentality when it comes to equipment and so it is no great shakes to them to be buying new barrels with the taxpayer’s money. For those of us that buy our own guns the prospect of damaging a quality barrel is much less appealing.

The answer is to simply coat the rods with a decent quality plastic tape, I found insulating tape did the job just fine, so overcoming the only issue with an otherwise very good cleaning kit. I’m not sure this kit is suitable for taking out in the field, due to its size and the number of calibres it serves, but it is a tidy and comprehensive kit for anyone with restricted space on the workshop bench.

Conclusion

The best way to summarise what I think of the Clenzoil solution is this: where there was once seven different bottles and cans of gun cleaning products there are now only two, the Clenzoil foaming aerosol and the Clenzoil solution in the trigger spray bottle. Yes, it really is that good. The cleaning kits contain all the bits and pieces you could need and all the accessories are good quality, all in all, well worth the price.