Tetra Carbon Cleaner

[Bronco89]

I was out of my usual bore cleaner, and I picked up a 8oz bottle of Tetra Carbon cleaner. While shopping I also noticed that they have a 3 in 1 product. Anyone use Tetra cleaning products? What do you think?

I currently use Hoppes Elite and like it, FOr a 3 in 1 I use Frog lube paste and really like it well.

 

[rockquarry]

If you're cleaning handguns and handgun bores, I've yet to find anything that works better than Hoppe's #9 or Ed's Red, though other products may work as well or almost as well. I've tried so many cleaners over the years, I can't remember them all, but most were unimpressive.

Carbon is not much of a problem in handgun bores and it's not difficult to remove with most cleaners and a good bronze brush. A carbon cleaner is not necessary, but it won't hurt anything.

Carbon buildup in rifle bore is completely different, but I will assume you're talking about handguns here.

I've found 3 in 1 products to be compromises at best. They're probably most useful for providing an adequate level of lubrication for most purposes. For cleaning, they don't work as well as a straight solvent, but are okay for minimal cleaning if you have nothing better. As for a preservative, they work, but no better than many other light oils on a soft cotton cloth.

However, many get by with 3 in 1 products so they apparently have some usefulness.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I use Tetra gun grease all the time on things like frame rails on semi-autos and locking lugs on rifles. For most cleaning I use Hoppe's #9. I have used it for over 50 years and I keep using it because it works, and it doesn't smell bad to me. Not that other things don't work. There are probably dozens of threads here on the forum on cleaning products. Some people feel VERY strongly about what should be used and what should not be used.

 

[Drm50]

My dad use to bring home Carbon Tetrachloride home from work. He was at a power house and they used it for cleaning solvent on electrical coponents.
It evaporated fast and didn't leave residue. They outlawed it later as a cancer causing chemical. I'm not aware of the product of OP.

 

[armorer951]

Tetra makes great products, if you can stand the smell. Some of their products like their version of CLP, smell horrible.

I terms of breaking down carbon build up, I personally prefer Iosso brand "Triple Action Oil Solution". It's safe, non-flammable and biodegradable, and readily cuts through carbon build up. Leaves behind a very light coating of corrosion resistant lubricant when it is wiped off. No viscosity issues in cold weather. Not a copper solvent per se, (Hoppes #9) but cuts through other contaminants left behind. Great for soaking dirty parts during disassembly-reassembly cleaning drills.