This is not the first time Ive heard about Simple Green ruining a gun finish. If you look up the MSDS for Simple Green it contains Sodium Citrate which I suspect is the culprit.
Any good cleaner will quickly strip off the protective lacquer that the factory originally applied.
Do not use Simple Green on guns. !! Or at least do not use Simple Green on guns you like.
Before I use any cleaning solution on a customers gun I will throw some test blued and CCH parts in the solution and let the sit for a week.
Often I get some really nasty guns here in the shop, so far Ive found Brownells D-Solve or Tri Sodium Phosphate (TSP), found in the local hardware store; heated in a crock pot works very well, good cleaning without injuring the finish (but they will strip the protective lacquer).
I would also stay away from Greased Lightning; it will cause some type of electrolysis between dissimilar metals.
I also no longer use ultrasonic cleaners, I find that they micro etch polished surfaces, esp. with the commercial models.
Mike
