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3/12/2010 11:40:04 AM EDT
I'd like some help with a unique problem.  My Glock pistol was stolen a while ago.  The police recovered it and eventually returned it to me.  However, it is completely covered in red fingerprint dust residue from where the crime lab technicians were looking for evidence.  Does anyone know the best way to remove this stuff?
3/12/2010 12:03:27 PM EDT
[#1]
Is the red dust glued on or adhered to the surface? If not, why not just strip it and clean it as you would if it was covered with firing residue? I've never dealt specificially with fingerprint dust, but I would think conventional cleaning products and methods would remove it.
3/12/2010 12:10:35 PM EDT
[#2]
The red dust is everywhere, especially in the grooves, angles, and down into the mechanism.

I was thinking on trying to soak it in a solution of warm water and detergent, then drying with a hair dryer or using isopropyl alcohol to displace the water.
3/12/2010 12:26:28 PM EDT
[#3]
Detail strip it and scrub it out with a toothbrush, dish soap and hot water. Rinse it with scalding hot water and it will dry by itself almost immediately.
You will have to reapply protective oil to the finish as the dish soap will remove all oil from the gun.
3/12/2010 12:29:19 PM EDT
[#4]
Quoted:
Detail strip it and scrub it out with a toothbrush, dish soap and hot water. Rinse it with scalding hot water and it will dry by itself almost immediately.
You will have to reapply protective oil to the finish as the dish soap will remove all oil from the gun.


I wouldn't use scalding hot water on the frame.  try toothbrush and clp...
3/12/2010 12:55:49 PM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Detail strip it and scrub it out with a toothbrush, dish soap and hot water. Rinse it with scalding hot water and it will dry by itself almost immediately.
You will have to reapply protective oil to the finish as the dish soap will remove all oil from the gun.


I wouldn't use scalding hot water on the frame.  try toothbrush and clp...


Why not hot water? CLP will leave an oily mess.

3/12/2010 1:24:19 PM EDT
[#6]
its a glock.. quickest way would be to toss it in the toilet with some cleaner... flush 4-5 times.. shake it dry and load up.


What do you mean thats not how you guys clean your glocks? Ima have to kill my buddy now... and disinfect my hands
3/12/2010 1:25:49 PM EDT
[#7]
Quoted:
its a glock.. quickest way would be to toss it in the toilet with some cleaner... flush 4-5 times.. shake it dry and load up.


What do you mean thats not how you guys clean your glocks? Ima have to kill my buddy now... and disinfect my hands


Thanks for your helpful input.

3/12/2010 1:42:36 PM EDT
[#8]
I'm with Sleeper on this. Tear apart the slide and wash with dishwashing soap, a toothbrush, and Q-Tips. Rinse it in real hot water and dry while hot. Your Glock will be cleaner than it came from the factory. For the frame, I like isopropyl alcohol.
3/12/2010 1:45:24 PM EDT
[#9]
could run it through the dish washer seen my friends father do it all the time. water is about 145 degrees pull it before the dry cycle works like a charm re-oil  
3/12/2010 1:51:29 PM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
I'm with Sleeper on this. Tear apart the slide and wash with dishwashing soap, a toothbrush, and Q-Tips. Rinse it in real hot water and dry while hot. Your Glock will be cleaner than it came from the factory. For the frame, I like isopropyl alcohol.


You'll be fine using hot water and dish soap on the whole gun. I suspect Range Warrior might have been concerned about the temperature and the polymer frame. Often people are concerned about melting the frame with high temp water.

Glock frames will start to melt at around 420 degrees fahrenheit. I have my water heater set pretty hot, but I'm fairly sure I have at least a 250 degree safety margin. Don't worry. Use the dish soap (Dawn is good) and hot water. I've owned and shot Glocks (tens of thousands of rounds) for years and never found a better way to thoroughly clean them.
3/12/2010 2:18:27 PM EDT
[#11]
Great.  Thanks for the input.  I'll work on it over the weekend and let everyone know how it worked.
3/17/2010 6:18:01 AM EDT
[#12]
Just to give an update on this topic.  I first stripped the Glock and soaked it for an hour in scalding water with dish soap, during which time I scrubbed the gun with a toothbrush and a nylon bore brush every 15 minutes.  I hated to leave it in the water for that period of time but it took that long to loosen the fingerprint dust.  After an hour, the water was the color of fruit punch.  I dried each piece individually and then thoroughly cleaned all pieces with Break Free.  I burnished a few rust spots with a bronze brush.  Then I applied a light coating of oil.  

All this helped, but it still wasn't quite right.  The trigger and slide were still a bit off.  So I took it to Glock's HQ and one of their armorers worked on the gun for me to return it to factory specs.  The results were amazing!  It's like a brand new weapon.  He even ran a magazine through it and said that it hit the 10 ring every time.  

I cannot give enough praise to the folks at Glock.  Every single person there was polite, attentive and asked me if I was being helped.  Their armorers are top notch and clearly understand how to service their weapons.  And they honor their warranty, no matter how old the weapon.  If you ever need a new handgun, give Glock some consideration.  Great gun, great company, great people.

GPB
3/17/2010 1:13:20 PM EDT
[#13]
Glad to hear everything worked out and that a company will stand behind their product.
3/18/2010 11:09:20 PM EDT
[#14]
Just a bit of trivia, that stuff is called "Dragon's Blood".

Dragon's Blood Powder
Dragon's Blood fingerprint powder is made from the resin of the rattan palm, Daemonorops draco (hence the dragon part).
The advantage of using this powder is that you can visualize latent prints on light, dark, and multi-colored surfaces.




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