Newspaper.

I rarely buy any these days except the Wall Street Journal.

But some local ones get thrown in the driveway for free.

 

I've got a mat from Midway that has a felt-like surface on top and a thick vinyl-like surface on the bottom. I've got another out in the garage with a fuzzy texture. Don't recall the name, but it works well too.

I'm not real particular about what type of mat since I don't wallow my gun around on the mat while cleaning it. I carefully lay the gun parts on the mat or even on a nearby shelf while I'm cleaning other parts. Sometimes I'll lay a paper towel over the mat to catch any oil or solvent that may be draining from the gun parts. Actually, a thick old bath towel will work fine for my use, but the mats stay in place better and don't wrinkle up.

 

Thanks for sharing your approach, it is simple and effective!

 

I am careful when cleaning my gun, but all I use is an old cotton bath towel doubled up. Serves me well and didn't cost me anything.

 

An old cotton bath towel is a cost-effective and practical choice for careful gun cleaning.

 

I have a boyt and like it.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1014658748

 

I have a boyt and like it.

Boyt Gun Cleaning Mat 12 x 48

The Boyt mat works great for all guns! For AR pistols and revolvers, check out this specialized tool tray we recommend: Premium Pistol Cleaning Mat with Magnetic Organizer Tray – Anti-Slip Rubberized Pad for Safe Gun Cleaning (16.5"x10.43")

 

I just use an old bath towel

 

I play a fair number of charity golf events and seems they give away golf towels at each one. Perfect for me to clean guns on and/or spray with One Shot for a final wipe down.
Otherwise, a towel.

 

Jeff's OUtfitter's has one I received as a gift which I really like. It rolls up so easy to travel with, and holds cleaning supplies/rods.

 

Carpeted floor mats

 

2x3 tightly woven 100% wool or cotton area rug. Solvents will melt the "felt" used on the cheap pads and the fuzzies from it will end up in your brushes if you lay them down on the mat.

 

I also use a Midway mat on the bench and newspapers on top of that, but used an old bath towel on top of the mat when I changed firing pins; don't want those tiny holding pins to roll away. Like the towel better than newspapers...just have to remember to salvage the ones that need to be replaced.

 

A store named Tractor Supply in our area sells recycled rubber 'mats'. They come in a couple different thicknesses. I use the 1/4" thick stuff. It is sold by the foot (48" wide I think) so you can buy exactly what you need. Nice stuff for a bunch of different applications.

 

I like the boyt as well, mine might have been made for cabela's but it is very similar.

 

+1 on the old bath towel. Works great and by the time it is filthy there is another ready to go. Most of the crud seems to end up on one end. Flip it over, or end for end, and you are ready to go again.

 

PVC floor mat / exercise mat, something like this...
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Goplus-47-x-2 ... /453006059

Keeps cleaning fluids/oils from soaking thru & damaging my wood tables. Wipe it off & roll it up. Cut it down to 16 or 18" wide if needed and make a couple pistol cleaning mats.

 

Old rag throw rug.

 

Old bath towel.

 

Two.

1 is felt with a rubber backing.

1 is neoprene.

The felt one is much larger, I do not really have a preference of 1 over the other.

 

For cleaning, I put it in a gun vise. For other work, it's several newspapers on a table. It's one way to recycle.

 

I use cheap ($5 or less) carpet runners from the local dollar store type discount joint. I only get 4 or 5 years out of one.

 

Silicone soldering mat also works.

 

I have an old cotton bath towel as well.

 

cardboard box, plenty laying around this time of year

 

Hoppe's

 

Yoga mat. Cheap, easy to find, rolls up for storage, lasts forever, and washes off with a hose. MAJ

 

Yoga mat. Cheap, easy to find, rolls up for storage, lasts forever, and washes off with a hose. MAJ

Great idea! I guess I never thought of that source because I was always of the school that "real men don't do Yoga"! :wink: