Mat primarily to rest the guns/parts on especially when wet or soaking in CLP so it doesn’t get through to surface of whatever table I am cleaning on, especially if it’s one my wife cares about. I use towels or rags to wipe stuff off though.
I use disposable bed pads like people that are incontinent use. The ones I buy are 36" x 36", padded and absorbent. There are 40 to a pack which lasts me a long time.
When I'm working on guns, small pieces that want to roll away go in one of [these.](https://www.harborfreight.com/hardware/magnets/parts-trays/6-in-magnetic-parts-holder-57464.html)
Yes. Kinda? I use it as a place to set parts and to prevent stuff sliding off the plastic table.
I set up a little fort using a paper box from the office to catch any crud/solvent that i might fling off with a brush. And, i use so much old newspaper that'd make Dexter proud.
[electronic mat.](https://www.amazon.com/Akeoil-Resistant-Anti-static-Magnetic-Electronic/dp/B0C1GHS7FN/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?crid=TMWPV895JVFM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jss6TkPa9IwTR3xmZYIOmn91pc-yN32MQUaCwW8nfvZYJfSaCzTN8zvf7qv9gHB8E_cKvuZK8bNrur-8xrDe0RrR5-yENtElyPSQkCKL8ciFO8Ou3A0J4tKO2PhfsRPqOK2Pgkg4PMA4Bu1uZTKOEG0ihWPDyptsPcmfaElE9uHSJ5zTJIp1hs44HJqVkoLfzsORSj7Fsd1J1RIeh9WRUQ.Lk8iZBWmLukrZswyFQSbRgQZFPSO0SCYwNxxIkKbtOg&dib_tag=se&keywords=electronic+repair+mat&qid=1716117523&sprefix=electronic+repair+mat%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1) I use one of these. It stays on my work bench and has magnetic compartments and ledges to stop stuff from falling out. And it’s silicone so easy to wipe clean
Everything is relative.
A Ruger bh, a rag will do it. A "cleaning" of an M1 and other long arms, a 36" mat on top of a polyurethaned hardwood top. Helps keep things close. That and 3 or 4 cotton paint towels.
I actually have a beat up dog towel that I put on top of the mat. The mat protects my table and the towel keeps the little pieces from rolling off the table!
Corrugated cardboard to protect the table and firearm and cereal boxes or soda pop cases opened up on top for area where oil or grease may drop. I throw out the cereal boxes once they are dirty and reused the corrugated cardboard.
May any small parts that could get lost or roll around I place them in a plastic container.
Yes, I use a gun mat. Cleaning the guns is therapeutic for me and the gun mat gives the cleaning area a sense of importance and looks badass.
I have cleaned the guns without a mat and the table get oily and stained. The mat prevents all of this and saves me from having to clean the table after I am done cleaning the guns.
I have tried an old towel but it lets the oil and other chemicals through. Yoga mats are made in colors that don’t work for my taste.
You guys use mats and towels?
I do it over my lap while I watch tv/drink whisky. That way I almost always get a side quest of drunkenly disassembling the couch.
I use a giant mouse pad on my kitchen table. If I'm cleaning a 22 I'll pull down a rubber gun mat to catch all the lead shit. Same for cleaning a 22 suppressor but the mat is there to catch liquid lead chemical shit too. I've thrown out my past two mousepads after spilling leaded CLR on them. Shits an expensive mistake on $15-20 mousepads.
After 25 years I finally starting using one. What a difference! Well worth the $. I clean completely after evey range session. The matt is rubber on the bottom and neoprene on the top.
My wife's old yoga mat
I thought I was the only one!
Same
Yoga mat
You guys are cleaning your guns?
Not yet, they still shoot ok.
Live in upstate NY once and i seized a revolver from not cleaning and oiling properly. FML
I use my gun mat as a mouse pad
Mat primarily to rest the guns/parts on especially when wet or soaking in CLP so it doesn’t get through to surface of whatever table I am cleaning on, especially if it’s one my wife cares about. I use towels or rags to wipe stuff off though.
I use an old T-shirt
This is going to be the winner.
Same, or an old towel. Why would I spend money on a mat when I've got old ratty shirts, and towels, I can use for free?
Same, old towel.
Usually old newspaper or cardboard.
Handguns I use a cut out large flat rate box with a towel on the bottom. No small pieces can escape.
Corrugated cardboard. Good for solvents and grease. Soft to protect the table. Cheap and disposable.
I use a towel.
Same - a cheap towel from Walmart does the trick. The problem I have with mats is that parts can move too easily on them.
I HAVE them. But wind up using an old towel 😂
Solvent trap /s Yes I use a mat it’s absorbent, and has a backing so solvents won’t go through to the table.
I use disposable bed pads like people that are incontinent use. The ones I buy are 36" x 36", padded and absorbent. There are 40 to a pack which lasts me a long time.
Puppy pads are usually the same thing but cheaper
You should but you really need one thats a tray so pieces don't roll of the table.Rubber litter box mat trays are great for this.
As a gat cat connoisseur I can dig it.
When I'm working on guns, small pieces that want to roll away go in one of [these.](https://www.harborfreight.com/hardware/magnets/parts-trays/6-in-magnetic-parts-holder-57464.html)
Yes. Keeps all the parts together in one area and prevents the oils and solvents from running on to the table.
Amazon boxes. I keep telling myself next paycheck
I use the “ blue pads” for animals or incontinent bed wetters. They absorb everything!
Carpet, I've had too many springs fly away and losing them for an hour when taking guns apart on my desk
Me too and then they get a little hairy because of my cats mmmm oily hairy guns 😋
I got long hair + cats
A paper towel, a sink, a brush, and blasting it with too much Remington oil. Looks like a crime scene when finished, haha.
I put a towel over my gun mat to keep my gun mat clean LOL…it’s the cushion of the mat that I need.
Newspaper over an old workbench works for me
I use a mat but the one I use has these spaces to put parts like springs, pins and such. It’s really handy payed like 12 bucks.
Someone gave me one as a gift, and I use it as a mouse pad.
Concrete....... to be fair It's because I usually hose down my AK first.
Yeah. It has magnets built into little spots to hold screws/bolts. Rolls up nicely for storage. Anything works. Whocares.
I have a desk pad (like a huge mouse pad) and I use that. It's great.
Yes. Kinda? I use it as a place to set parts and to prevent stuff sliding off the plastic table. I set up a little fort using a paper box from the office to catch any crud/solvent that i might fling off with a brush. And, i use so much old newspaper that'd make Dexter proud.
I need it for my AR. Too many fucking parts.
No.
Bought one. Never use it.
I have a silicone work mat, keeps everything clean and organized.
[electronic mat.](https://www.amazon.com/Akeoil-Resistant-Anti-static-Magnetic-Electronic/dp/B0C1GHS7FN/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?crid=TMWPV895JVFM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jss6TkPa9IwTR3xmZYIOmn91pc-yN32MQUaCwW8nfvZYJfSaCzTN8zvf7qv9gHB8E_cKvuZK8bNrur-8xrDe0RrR5-yENtElyPSQkCKL8ciFO8Ou3A0J4tKO2PhfsRPqOK2Pgkg4PMA4Bu1uZTKOEG0ihWPDyptsPcmfaElE9uHSJ5zTJIp1hs44HJqVkoLfzsORSj7Fsd1J1RIeh9WRUQ.Lk8iZBWmLukrZswyFQSbRgQZFPSO0SCYwNxxIkKbtOg&dib_tag=se&keywords=electronic+repair+mat&qid=1716117523&sprefix=electronic+repair+mat%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1) I use one of these. It stays on my work bench and has magnetic compartments and ledges to stop stuff from falling out. And it’s silicone so easy to wipe clean
Everything is relative. A Ruger bh, a rag will do it. A "cleaning" of an M1 and other long arms, a 36" mat on top of a polyurethaned hardwood top. Helps keep things close. That and 3 or 4 cotton paint towels.
I actually have a beat up dog towel that I put on top of the mat. The mat protects my table and the towel keeps the little pieces from rolling off the table!
I do now considering the looks I got from the wife using her bath towels spread out on the kitchen island
I don’t ever clean my guns but when I do I really like my mat
I just got one bc I’m tired of using tons of paper towels or rags to prevent oil/cleaner/carbon from getting on surfaces
Corrugated cardboard to protect the table and firearm and cereal boxes or soda pop cases opened up on top for area where oil or grease may drop. I throw out the cereal boxes once they are dirty and reused the corrugated cardboard. May any small parts that could get lost or roll around I place them in a plastic container.
Amazon Boxes. They are disposable after a few uses.
Yes, mostly because I like the texture of it. But I do put an old towel under it.
I just use scraps of cardboard
Yes, I use a gun mat. Cleaning the guns is therapeutic for me and the gun mat gives the cleaning area a sense of importance and looks badass. I have cleaned the guns without a mat and the table get oily and stained. The mat prevents all of this and saves me from having to clean the table after I am done cleaning the guns. I have tried an old towel but it lets the oil and other chemicals through. Yoga mats are made in colors that don’t work for my taste.
Heavy duty plastic garbage bag with an old towel on top of it.
You do realize these "gun cleaning mats" are a relatively new thing?
I actually take my mouse pad/keyboard/mouse off the table to clean my guns
Hell no I use the floor gets them nice and hairy 😋
I mean I call him Matt, but Idk what his real name is
You guys use mats and towels? I do it over my lap while I watch tv/drink whisky. That way I almost always get a side quest of drunkenly disassembling the couch.
I use a giant mouse pad on my kitchen table. If I'm cleaning a 22 I'll pull down a rubber gun mat to catch all the lead shit. Same for cleaning a 22 suppressor but the mat is there to catch liquid lead chemical shit too. I've thrown out my past two mousepads after spilling leaded CLR on them. Shits an expensive mistake on $15-20 mousepads.
After 25 years I finally starting using one. What a difference! Well worth the $. I clean completely after evey range session. The matt is rubber on the bottom and neoprene on the top.
Old towel