There is no question that when you want to pawn or sell an item, you should put your best foot forward. You should be prepared to answer questions about your item, have an idea of the current value of the item and be prepared to walk away from the deal. However, it is also important to remember that your item’s first impression is just as important as yours. Make sure you clean off cobwebs, wipe off dirt, and if possible, remove rust spots before trying to pawn or sell your gun.
How to Clean your Gun Before Pawning or Selling
One of the more difficult items to clean is a firearm. There are a lot of moving parts, tough to reach areas, and sometimes, signs of age that can be difficult to erase.
Step 1: Prepare the Area
Cleaning a gun typically creates a mess. For this reason, you will want to find a space where you don’t mind the mess or that can easily be cleaned up.
Step 2: Gather your Supplies
There are a few must have items when cleaning your firearm. Make sure you gather these items before you begin.
- Toothbrush
- Cotton Rag
- Gun Cleaning Solvent
- Copper or Brass Brush
- Thin Gun Oil
Step 3: Remove Surface Dirt
Use your dry cotton rag to remove any surface level dirt or sediment off the firearm. Remove the gun’s barrel so you can wipe inside. Removing as much dirt and grime during this step will make the remaining cleaning process smoother.
Step 4: Remove Rust
Many pistols are made with polymer components so you will want to separate those pieces from the steel pieces. The reason being is that we recommend cleaning rust off with a copper or brass brush. However, a copper brush will scratch the polymer pieces; which is why you will want to separate the two materials when removing rust. A small toothbrush should suffice to clean off grime from the polymer.
Steel Components Include:
- Upper Receiver
- Barrel
- Recoil Springs
- Magazine
Use your copper or brass brush to begin removing rust from the steel pieces of your firearm. Repeatedly shake out the gun during cleaning to remove lose rust particles. This may be the most time-consuming part of cleaning your firearm depending on the amount of rust. Finish by wiping the firearm with your dry cotton rag.
Step 5: Apply Solvent
Applying cleaning solvent to your firearm is an optional step. The solvent will help breakdown any remaining dirt or grime that is difficult to see or reach. Use your toothbrush to scrub inside any cracks or crevices you cannot reach.
Step 6: Apply Gun Oil
Wipe down your firearm with gun oil to prevent rust from forming on the gun. You only need a very small amount to provide your gun with added protection. If you accidentally apply too much oil, you can easily use your cotton cloth to wipe down the gun and remove the excess.
After following these steps, your firearm should look shiny and new. You are now ready to visit your pawn shop and begin negotiations. As always, be sure to bring your firearm to the shop unloaded and securely locked in its case. It’s important to always follow safety guidelines for safe handling of firearms.