Does anyone use automotive brake cleaner to detail clean the internals of firearms ?
Opinions ?
Jimmy
Opinions ?
Jimmy
Brake Cleaner
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Geno44
Member
I sometimes use carb spray. Brake cleaner should work. Naturally avoid spraying anything plastic, or wood with finish that might be damaged. Good eye protection is a must as these products will splash back at you no matter how careful you think you are being. I like a face shield. I do not use them indoors because they are flammable. I think hand protection is a good idea. I have a heavy pair of chemical gloves that I usually wear.
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
Yes. On the Rossi Forum, many 1892 lever rifle owners use non-chlorinated brake cleaner for the initial clean-up of the packing grease.
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Whenever you use brake Cleaner, Firearms Scrubber or any degreaser make SURE the gun is allowed to soak up some rust preventative oil afterwards because it will remove ALL traces of protectant and leave the metal quite vulnerable to rusting. I would not use this type of cleaner when in a situation that the inside of a firearm could NOT be gotten to for thorough application a good rust preventative. So YES Brake Cleaner does a good job as does Gun Scrubber and other similar products, just make SURE you apply a rust preventative afterwards.
I'd also use this product outdoors only. Even though it evaporates quickly, fumes and splatter are a safety concern. Use it outdoors in an area that there is no plastic, paint or material you do not wish to ruin.
I'd also use this product outdoors only. Even though it evaporates quickly, fumes and splatter are a safety concern. Use it outdoors in an area that there is no plastic, paint or material you do not wish to ruin.
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OLDSTER
Member
Yep. All the time. 1/3 the cost of brand name aerosol gun scrubbers. But as posted previous, stay away from wood, plastics, anything not metal.
I use carb or brake cleaner to clean guns I have recently purchased (usually 50+ year old guns). If the works are particularly gunky or lots of old grease, I will let it soak with a good gun solvent for 5 mins or so before hosing out with the brake cleaner. After it is clean, I spray with a Birchwood Casey Barricade, then I oil and grease all the pivot/slide points. Contrary to some on this site, after I clean the screw threads, I grease the threads with a good synthetic gun grease. This healps keep moisture out of the threads and the countersink areas. I will normally remove the rear sight and clean/grease underneath, as well as the front sight if it is removable. The idea is to remove all the dirt and gunk from all the areas that can trap moisture.
George
George
Brake cleaners are not all made up of the same chemical(s). So unless you are looking at ingredients you will it know who is actually using the same product. Many are made with tetrachloroethylene which is a non-flammable chemical that is also used in many traditional dry cleaning operations. It is also a known carcinogen and will contaminate your water if not disposed of properly. Some are made with ignitable heptane and isopropyl alcohol which is actually the degreaser of choice for the airline industry, and still others are made with many other citrus based chemicals which are often ignitable even though you wouldn't suspect it.. These products are designed to strip oil and grease but pose their own hazards to you and your family. Be safe my friends when in doubt elbow grease it out.
FWIW . . . difference between brake cleaner and carb cleaner is lube in carb cleaner. Brake cleaner must not leave any residue - especially lube - that would interfere with brake operation.
As lube on the inside of a gun is generally a good idea, I'd use carb cleaner if given a choice. On the other hand, if you are going to lube the inside after cleaning, anyway, brake cleaner should be fine.
As lube on the inside of a gun is generally a good idea, I'd use carb cleaner if given a choice. On the other hand, if you are going to lube the inside after cleaning, anyway, brake cleaner should be fine.
the stuff works good in my opinion.
as mentioned, use care on certain plastics, wood/metal finishes, etc.
as mentioned, use care on certain plastics, wood/metal finishes, etc.
It also works great for cleaning shotguns, dislodging the plastic build up from the wads in trap/skeet guns. But do run a patch with CLP on it afterwards for metal protection.
Please be careful when using these chemicals. Protect your eyes and your skin.
As someone has already pointed out, they pose a health hazard. They can also damage seals, finishes, coatings and other "non-metalic" components in and on firearms and stocks. Most of the firearms manufacturer's manuals, including those of S&W, expressly advise not to use them. ("harsh chemicals")
Please use caution, and follow label instructions.
I use Liquid Wrench Silicone Spray for cleaning crud and shooting residue. It's still volatile, and caution must be used, but it does leave a film of dry silicone behind.
As someone has already pointed out, they pose a health hazard. They can also damage seals, finishes, coatings and other "non-metalic" components in and on firearms and stocks. Most of the firearms manufacturer's manuals, including those of S&W, expressly advise not to use them. ("harsh chemicals")
Please use caution, and follow label instructions.
I use Liquid Wrench Silicone Spray for cleaning crud and shooting residue. It's still volatile, and caution must be used, but it does leave a film of dry silicone behind.
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MichiganScott
Member
I've used gallons of brake cleaner over the years for degreasing firearms. It works great even on mil-surps packed in Cosmoline after you've wiped off the excess first.
Brake cleaners will strip all preservatives from the steel so you have to lightly relube when putting the guns back together. I've also found that Cyclo brand Brake and Parts Cleaner #C-32 in the green can is much easier on plastics and finishes while still degreasing the steel. It's non-flammable and every bit as good as the old carbon tetrachloride. Mrs. MichiganScott uses it to remove greasy spots from clothing if soap won't cut it.
Brake cleaners will strip all preservatives from the steel so you have to lightly relube when putting the guns back together. I've also found that Cyclo brand Brake and Parts Cleaner #C-32 in the green can is much easier on plastics and finishes while still degreasing the steel. It's non-flammable and every bit as good as the old carbon tetrachloride. Mrs. MichiganScott uses it to remove greasy spots from clothing if soap won't cut it.
tomf52
Member
CRC Electronics Cleaner. Aerosol that is not harmful to most plastics. Much cheaper than the gun products.
Some brands of break cleaner will work on some off the new
Baked on finishes, ect. They have no effect on blue. I also ruined
a pair of plastic lens eye glass from blow back mist.
Baked on finishes, ect. They have no effect on blue. I also ruined
a pair of plastic lens eye glass from blow back mist.
Nemo288
Member
I use brake cleaner to degrease the chambers of (stainless) revolvers and sometimes rifles if I am going to shoot them that day.
That's the only thing I use it for and I wear medical gloves when cleaning guns with any of the solvents.
Otherwise the Hornady One Shot cleaner does a pretty good job of cleaning things up and leaves a nice protective molecular layer.
That's the only thing I use it for and I wear medical gloves when cleaning guns with any of the solvents.
Otherwise the Hornady One Shot cleaner does a pretty good job of cleaning things up and leaves a nice protective molecular layer.
Not to be a wet blanket BUT i just had a problem with a 459 that had been soaked with carb /break cleaner.The crud had washed into blind holes and the de cocker would not swing up to the fire position .The crud was blocking the F.P.safety from moving. Disassembly ,cleaning with Q-TIPS finally got everything working properly again.
It is not a substitute for a proper disassembly hand hand cleaning
It is not a substitute for a proper disassembly hand hand cleaning
Dandecoteau
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I work on Toyotas everyday and we use brake cleaner a lot. The stuff we get is some serious ****. Works real good on rats and critters. Also is the best bug killer you can buy.
Brake cleaner is for brakes. And critters, and bugs.
Motor oil is for motors.
Gun lube is for guns.
Use gun stuff for guns
Brake cleaner is for brakes. And critters, and bugs.
Motor oil is for motors.
Gun lube is for guns.
Use gun stuff for guns
