CLP, an acronym for Clean, Lubricate, Protect, refers to a category of all-in-one firearm maintenance products designed to streamline the upkeep of small arms. A CLP gun cleaner combines three critical maintenance functions—removing fouling and carbon buildup, providing effective gun lubrication, and forming a protective barrier against corrosion.
Originally developed for the U.S. military, military-grade CLP was introduced to reduce the logistical burden of carrying multiple cleaning agents in the field. It has since become a standard-issue solution for maintaining service rifles and handguns under a wide range of environmental conditions.
Due to its proven field performance, CLP has been widely adopted by civilian gun owners, law enforcement personnel, and firearms instructors seeking an efficient, simplified approach to routine firearm maintenance. Its versatility makes it suitable for most modern firearms platforms, from striker-fired pistols to AR-pattern rifles.
What Does CLP Stand For and What Does It Do?
CLP stands for Clean, Lubricate, Preserve—a functional triad that defines its role in comprehensive firearm maintenance. Unlike single-purpose products, CLP is engineered to perform multiple tasks with a single application, making it an efficient solution for both field use and routine bench cleaning.
Each component plays a distinct role in maintaining weapon reliability and longevity.
Clean – Carbon Removal and Fouling Breakdown
The cleaning function of CLP targets carbon fouling, unburnt powder residue, and metallic debris that accumulate in a firearm’s action, bore, and gas system. Upon application, CLP penetrates buildup and loosens deposits at the molecular level. Specialized surfactants break the bond between contaminants and metal surfaces, allowing them to be easily wiped or brushed away.
This is critical in semi-automatic and gas-operated platforms where fouling can impair cycling and function if not properly managed.
In practical terms, when CLP is applied to a bolt carrier group or inside a pistol slide, it seeps into tight areas—such as extractor channels and locking lugs—dislodging grime that would otherwise require multiple cleaning agents.
Lubricate – Friction Reduction and Film Barrier
Once surfaces are cleaned, the lubrication phase begins. CLP leaves behind a thin, shear-resistant film that functions as a synthetic lubricant, reducing metal-to-metal contact. This barrier minimizes wear on moving components like slide rails, trigger groups, and bolt assemblies—areas subjected to repeated kinetic stress.
The fluidity of CLP is engineered to maintain consistent lubrication across a range of temperatures and operating conditions. It adheres to surfaces under motion and pressure, spreading across contact areas during function cycles. This trait is particularly valuable in platforms such as the AR-15, where carbon and heat can quickly dry out inadequate lubricants.
Preserve – Rust Prevention and Oxidation Barrier
The preservation aspect of CLP forms the final layer of defense. After cleaning and lubrication, CLP leaves a protective film that inhibits oxidation. This barrier displaces moisture and blocks exposure to air, salts, and corrosive contaminants. The result is long-term rust prevention on both external surfaces and internal components, even under high-humidity or maritime conditions.
For firearms stored for extended periods—whether in safes, vehicles, or field gear—the preservative action of CLP prevents surface degradation and maintains readiness.
What Is CLP Made From? (Petroleum vs Synthetic vs Plant-Based)
The performance and safety of any CLP gun cleaner depend directly on its base formulation. While all CLP products aim to clean, lubricate, and preserve, the underlying chemistry varies—affecting viscosity, volatility, temperature stability, toxicity, and long-term corrosion resistance.
Most CLP products fall into one of three categories: petroleum-based, synthetic-based, or plant-based (biodegradable). Understanding these distinctions is critical when selecting the right CLP for your firearm maintenance needs.
Petroleum-Based CLP
Petroleum-based CLP uses a refined mineral oil as its primary base. These products offer proven performance and wide compatibility, especially with modern firearms constructed from steel and anodized aluminum. The petroleum base acts as a solvent for carbon fouling while providing decent lubrication and moisture displacement.
However, petroleum-based CLPs can introduce trade-offs. They often emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are flammable, and may not be ideal for enclosed workspaces. Additionally, their film strength and high-temperature stability tend to be lower compared to synthetics. These are functional, workhorse products—but not optimized for extreme conditions or prolonged storage.
Synthetic-Based CLP
Synthetic CLP is formulated from engineered base oils, designed to outperform conventional petroleum lubricants in both extreme environments and long-term use. These are often labeled as mil-spec CLP or combat-grade lubricants and are designed to maintain viscosity, film strength, and lubricity across a broad temperature range—often from -65°F to 130°F or higher.
Synthetic oils are chemically uniform, which gives them superior resistance to oxidation and thermal breakdown. In practical use, they remain fluid in sub-zero conditions, resist evaporation under heat, and form stronger shear-resistant films on bearing surfaces. These attributes make synthetic CLPs ideal for gas-operated rifles, suppressed firearms, and any system that builds heat or operates under high cyclic pressure.
Plant-Based or Biodegradable CLP
Bio-based CLP formulations use oils derived from renewable plant sources—such as soy, canola, or coconut—as their primary carrier. These products are engineered to reduce environmental impact and toxicity, making them safer for use in indoor ranges, confined cleaning areas, or situations involving frequent skin contact.
Most non-toxic gun cleaners in this category contain food-grade or GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) components, and some meet or exceed biodegradability certifications.
While modern plant-based CLPs perform well for general firearm upkeep, their resistance to extreme temperatures and long-term storage oxidation can vary between brands. Users should verify corrosion protection and shelf-life performance before relying on these products for hard-use or long-term firearm storage.
Surfactants and Additives: Functional Chemistry
Regardless of the base type, CLP products rely on surfactants, detergents, and anti-corrosion additives to perform their functions. Surfactants reduce surface tension, helping the CLP penetrate into carbon deposits and lift contaminants away from metal. Detergents bind fouling for removal, while additives such as corrosion inhibitors, anti-wear agents, and oxidation stabilizers enhance preservation and operational reliability.
This lubrication chemistry is what allows a thin film of CLP to function under heat, pressure, and exposure to elements—without drying out, gumming up, or leaving residue that impairs action cycling.
CLP vs Traditional Cleaning Systems
CLP offers a streamlined approach to firearm maintenance by combining cleaning, lubrication, and corrosion protection into a multi-purpose cleaner.
In contrast, traditional cleaning systems separate these functions into distinct steps, typically involving a bore solvent, a dedicated lubricant, and a rust inhibitor or protectant. Each method has specific advantages, and the differences become more apparent under demanding conditions or with specialized firearms.
Traditional Cleaning: Segmented Precision
In a traditional maintenance process, each product is engineered for a single function:
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Bore Solvent – A highly aggressive chemical formulation designed to dissolve carbon fouling, copper, and lead deposits. These products are particularly effective at cleaning high-round-count barrels and are often essential when dealing with corrosive ammunition or legacy firearms with tight bore tolerances.
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Dedicated Lubricant – Separate gun oils or gun grease are applied after cleaning to reduce friction, protect wear surfaces, and ensure smooth cycling. These lubricants come in various viscosities and are selected based on the firearm's design—grease for slow, high-pressure locking surfaces (e.g., M1 Garand op-rods), oil for high-speed components like AR bolt carriers.
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Rust Inhibitor – A final wipe-down with a product formulated specifically to displace moisture and prevent oxidation completes the system. These agents are often heavier in viscosity and remain in place during extended storage.
This segmented method gives users maximum control and allows for fine-tuning the maintenance regimen to suit each firearm’s specific needs and operating environment.
CLP: Efficiency and Convenience
By contrast, CLP condenses all three phases into a single fluid. It softens carbon deposits, spreads into friction surfaces, and leaves behind a protective film that guards against moisture and oxygen. For many modern firearms—particularly those with anodized aluminum frames, nitride-treated barrels, or polymer components—CLP delivers more than adequate performance for regular maintenance intervals.
In field environments, where access to cleaning kits may be limited, CLP’s convenience is unmatched. It reduces gear weight, speeds up maintenance, and simplifies the routine. This is why it remains a staple in military supply chains and is favored by many instructors and range officers.
When CLP May Not Be Enough
There are, however, trade-offs in using an all-in-one cleaner. While CLP performs competently in most applications, it may fall short in situations that demand specialized performance:
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Corrosive Ammo – Surplus military ammunition containing corrosive primers introduces potassium salts into the barrel and chamber. These salts attract moisture and accelerate rust. A dedicated bore solvent, often water-based or ammonia-based, is more effective at neutralizing these residues than standard CLP.
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Precision Rifles – In platforms with tight chamber and bore tolerances—such as bolt-action rifles used for long-range or competition shooting—residual fouling or lubrication inconsistency can affect accuracy. Here, a methodical approach using high-performance dedicated lubricants and bore cleaners is often preferred.
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Vintage Firearms – Older firearms with sliding steel-on-steel contact surfaces, such as the M1 Garand, FN FAL, or CZ 75, may require gun grease rather than a thin oil film. CLP lacks the high-pressure wear protection that grease provides in those applications.
Performance Trade-Offs
CLP’s multi-function design inherently limits its strength in any single category. It cleans well enough, but not as aggressively as a dedicated solvent. It lubricates adequately, but lacks the fine-tuned viscosity control of specialty gun oils. And while it offers good corrosion protection, it may not remain intact as long as products formulated solely for long-term storage.
Still, for shooters seeking a balanced, efficient solution for day-to-day use, CLP offers clear advantages in speed and simplicity—especially in high-volume or duty environments. But for applications where precision, corrosive exposure, or high-friction surfaces are part of the equation, a traditional three-step system provides more control and durability.
Does CLP Work Better Than Standard Gun Lubricant?
According to the US military and their testing, CLP works well enough to keep their weapons maintained and operating in the field across a number of different conditions. To meet their standards, it can't dry out or stiffen in the heat, can't let in much dust or sand, nor can it give in to humidity, high pressure nor saltwater immersion.
It must also work in temperatures as low as - 65 degrees F to well over 130 degrees F.
As far as the typical civilian is probably concerned? Yeah, it'll work!
Some people, however, will note that it's an all-in-one product; in other words a jack of all trades and this much has some truth to it. There are plenty of products that have been specifically formulated to do one task and one task only. Bore cleaners are surfactant-rich; they are made to get carbon and other deposits out of the chamber and bore of a firearm. Lubricants are just made to lubricate and do that job well.
That's why those old Hoppe's kits come with bore cleaner AND lubricating oil. You clean with the former and then oil up the gun with the latter. You should also bear in mind that CLP was developed for use with some rather specific firearms like the AR-15 and M9/Beretta 92FS pistol. Older firearms such as M1 Garand rifles require actual grease to operate correctly; CLP would not get the job done.
Plenty of people in the service found it worked just fine and, at that, under wartime conditions. Others found they needed a different product to supplement it, such as additional lubricant or a more strenuous cleaner. Others still had to resort to other products to get the best function.
This has been much the same in the civilian realm. Some people find Break-Free CLP or a different brand of it is all they need; some find that their gun seems to work best when a general purpose cleaner/lubricant is used in conjunction with a more abrasive cleaner for the bore and a stronger lubricant.
Ask car guys about what oil they prefer and you'll get different answers. Some prefer Castrol GTX (their high-mileage formula has been outstanding in my experience) and others Mobil, and still others Valvoline. It's the same thing with gun oils and lubricants. Many are good. Many work well. Some just find one that works best for them.
So it's worth getting, to be sure...but your results may vary.
What The Gun Writer Uses
If you wanted to know what I use? Some people are going to laugh, but I use Rem Oil. It's actually just like CLP in that it's a general purpose cleaner/protector/lubricant (albeit petroleum-based) and in fact has been on the market in exactly that capacity for more than a century. However, I only use it as a cleaner and to wipe down the surface of my guns. Since my guns are almost all older design platforms (I'm a sucker for walnut and metal) I find a bit more lubrication is necessary on frame rails, barrel lugs and so on. Since I've acquired a decent store of Hoppe's lubricant, that's what I use. This combination works so well I haven't really felt the need to change it.
However, if Break-Free, Gunzilla, FrogLube, Otis or someone else wanted to change my mind...I'd give it a shot and a review while I was at it.