The work aims to clean surface of ammunition cartridges using a novel cleaning agent instead of alcohol and gasoline. An advanced, reliable, safe and environmentally friendly novel cleaning agent was used to clean such dirt as oil stain, sweat stain, red lead, marker and powder. Selection principles of cleaning agent was developed based on above characteristics by analyzing features of ammunition cartridge surface film, composition of various film stains and intermediate paint cleaning process. Practical experiment was conducted by referring to composition, features, decontamination mechanism of cleaning agent. Tests were conducted from aspects of safety performance of cleaning agent, adhesion property and salt-fog resistance of paint film after cleaning, cleaning effect volatilization speed and smell of cleaning agent. The novel cleaning agent features in excellent cleaning effect, quick volatilization, high cleaning efficiency, has no effect on paint film of ammunition cartridge after cleaning, and meets the fatigue&rest cleaning quality requirements for paint film. The novel environmentally friendly and nontoxic cleaning agent can be applied to clean paint film on ammunition cartridge instead of alcohol and gasoline, and is of promotion significance in cleaning paint film on ammunition cartridge.