Alchohol To Neutralize Copper Cleaner

[orangeparkplink]

I met someone who mentioned that they use an Alchohol patch down the bore after the copper cleaner to neutalize the copper cleaner (amonia). Then they clean with Hoppes and oil. Has anyone ever heard of this? Wondering if this couls cause any damage. My chemistry is a little rusty and wondered if there was any truth to it.

 

[Jim Watson]

Alcohol is neutral and will not "neutralize" ammonia. It is a pretty good wetting agent and will flush out the copper solvent well.

 

[Grizfire]

the solution to pollution is dilution.

Well not really, but this person is just diluting the ammonia with the alcohol and flushing it out.

Now if they really wanted to neutralize the ammonia, they will need an acid, say vinegar (CH3COOH)?

NH3 + CH3COOH ---> NH4+ + CH3COO-

the product above is ammonium acetate, which is a salt.

WHAT DOES SALT DO TO METAL......RUST (due to its increased conduction, funny you said your chemistry is "rusty" ).

So it is probably better to flush with alcohol as it is much less conductive....although, it has water which also facilitates corrosion. Since he is finishing with oil, all should be well.

 

[orangeparkplink]

Thank you gentlemen. I guess it is no different than using copper cleaner, then Hoppes, and then oiling except for the fact that he is flushing out more of the copper cleaner with the alchohol.