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Which Gun Cleaner Lubricant Protectant (CLP) Brand Wins?

A head-to-head test of 9 gun cleaner lubricant protectant (clp) options with the measured results for each. See how they ranked and watch the full test video.

Some figures on this page were transcribed from the test video and have not been independently re-verified. Treat the numbers as a close guide and watch the full video for the exact readings.

The verdict
Ranked first

Clenzoil

Price shown in test: $17 for 8 oz, $2.13 per oz

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The measured results

Every number below is read straight from the test. Scroll sideways to see all measurements. Products are listed in the order they finished.

ProductLubricity and wear scar testCarbon buildup cleaning testDust attraction testCold temperature test, negative 40F for 12 hoursCorrosion resistance test with prior heat exposureCorrosion resistance test without heat exposure
1Clenzoil$17 for 8 oz, $2.13 per oz1.81 mm wear scar, best of all 9 brands tested, tester never exceeded 400 watts, about 100 watts less friction than the Ballistolterrific job, slightly better than the Ballistolperformed slightly better than the Ballistol but not quite as well as the Break Free CLPfrozen solid, failed the test4th place4th place
2Break Free CLP$10 for 4 oz, $2.50 per oz4.15 mm wear scar, second best of all brands tested, tester briefly hit 478 watts before dropping to around 400terrific job, traces of the product continued dissolving carbon even after the test finished1st place with an A minus rating, best of all brands testedpassed easily, described as a great lubricant for cold temperatures8th place, struggled, just ahead of the Ballistol9th place, worst of all brands, more corrosion than most
3Extreme Force$15 for 3.4 oz, $4.41 per oz5.02 mm wear scar, third best of all brands tested, tester needed just over 480 wattsperformed very well, not quite as well as the Hoppe'scollected a little more dust than most other brands, performed about the same as the Ballistolextremely solid, failed the test3rd place, very little corrosion6th place, more corrosion than average
4Frog Lube$13 for 4 oz, $3.25 per oz5.67 mm wear scar, fourth best of all brands tested, tester briefly hit 487 wattsdid a great job despite its higher viscosityperformed about the same as the Clenzoil, B+ tierwas a paste before freezing and became very hard, failed the test1st place, heat exposure actually helped it absorb into the metal, very little corrosion2nd place, very little corrosion
5Fluid Filmless than $1 per oz6.59 mm wear scar, fifth best of all brands tested, tester exceeded 500 wattsterrific job breaking down carbon, performed as well as the other brands, A+ tierperformed slightly better than the Hoppe's kit lubricant, B+ tiervery high viscosity at room temperature, froze solid, failed the test5th place, the heat was too much for it1st place, best of all brands tested at blocking corrosion
6Ballistol$15 for 16 oz, $0.94 per oz7.26 mm wear scar, worst film strength of the brands tested up to that point, tester used nearly 500 watts, quite a bit of metal in the test cupmade easy work of the carbon buildup, cutting almost to the metalperformed about the same as the Extreme Force, B+ tierdoes not like the cold, froze solid, failed the test8th place, worst of all brands tested, appeared to burn off in the oven with as much corrosion as the unprotected control panel8th place, better than the unprotected control but not nearly as well as most other brands
7Slip 2000$17 for 6 oz, $2.83 per oz7.41 mm wear scar, tester needed over 500 watts, more friction than all other brands tested up to that point, quite a bit of metal in the containerdid a great job cutting through the carbonperformed slightly worse than the Break Free CLP, B+ tierpassed, did not flow as well as the Break Free CLP but definitely passed7th place, quite a bit of corrosion7th place, quite a bit of corrosion but better than the Break Free CLP
8Hoppe's No. 9 CLP$8 for 2 oz, $4 per oz7.72 mm wear scar, tester exceeded 500 watts, quite a bit of friction and metal grinding noisethe best of all brands tested up to that point, A+ tier along with the Fluid Filmcollected a little more dust than most other brands, similar to the Ballistolpassed, shrugged off the cold and flowed just as well as the Break Free CLP6th place, really struggled to block corrosion after heat exposure5th place, a little more corrosion than average
9Hoppe's No. 9 Kit$198.52 mm wear scar, worst of all 9 brands tested, tester hit 518 watts, the highest of all brands, quite a bit of metal flake in the test cupperformed very well, similar to the standalone Hoppe's CLPperformed slightly worse than the Fluid Film, B+ tierjust as frozen as the Extreme Force, failed the test2nd place, very little corrosion3rd place, did a little better than average

How it was tested

  • lubricity and wear scar test using a lubricity tester
  • carbon buildup cleaning test on highly carbonized metal
  • dust attraction test after driving on a gravel road
  • cold temperature flow test at negative 40F for 12 hours
  • corrosion resistance test with hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and salt, tested with and without prior heat exposure at 400F for 1 hour

“So, which brand is the best? I think that really depends on what you're looking for. Unfortunately, none of the brands were perfect. However, there were quite a few brands that performed very well. Two of the brands that really stood out to me include the Clean-Oil as well as the Break Free CLP.”

From the test video verdict.

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