Brake cleaner?

[akodo]

So I was thinking of ordering a jug of that slip2000carbonkiller, but then I remembered being told that brake cleaner was the same stuff, as long as you stay away from the chloronated stuff.

Is that true? besides looking for non-chloronated brake cleaner, anything else to look for?

 

[haybaler]

I don't know about chlorinated vs non chlorinated and I don't know about slip2000carbonkiller. I buy aerosol cans of Brake Kleen by the case for cleaning all kinds of parts when working on my farm equipment. I've used it on my guns also. I like to remove the grip panels so it only gets on all metal parts and it cleans the gunk out really well. I especially like to use it after shooting a lot of Wolf ammo. I've used it mostly on my Ruger P90.

 

[Telperion]

They are not the same thing. Carbon killer is a mixture of oil- and water-based cleaners (that's why you have to shake it up before you use it). It works very well if you let parts soak in it, and it is also a good degreaser. Brake cleaners are usually hydrocarbon solvents. They are good for degreasing but are too volatile to help dissolve and break up carbon deposits.

 

[akodo]

okay are there other products that are generalized carbon removers?

 

[wally]

Carb Cleaner is the best I've found for removing carbon deposits. But IMHO Brake parts cleaner is a better overall gun cleaner. Both are much cheaper than stuff labeled specifically for guns, especially if you buy the auto parts store "house brand".

Need to be careful with either on plastic & rubber parts and stock finishes or other painted surfaces. Well ventilated work area is essential.

--wally.

 

[igor]

CRC Bräkleen is very good to remove everything grease-related from your gun. I've needed precious little else than that and some Break-Free CLP.

 

[mainebear]

Second to that Igor. That is exactly what I do. Use the Brakleen first. then finish up with CLP. Fast, thorough, and cheap.

 

[coyotehitman]

I have used it. Berryman's B12 Chemtool is the most effective spray cleaner/degreaser I have ever seen, though. Anyone else use B12?

 

[JBB]

Brake cleaner is a great degreaser and works really quickly. Is it safe on blued parts, as well?

 

[M2Pilot]

I've had no problems with brake cleaner vs. blueing. Shouldn't have a problem since brake cleaner is organic solvents & bluing is basically oxidized metal.

 

[Big Boomer]

Do NOT I repeast DO NOT use brake cleaner on any newer 10-22 receivers...they MELT!

I learned my lesson the hard way. Also if you use CMC mag with the bumper extension it will melt those too. Found that out the hard way as well.

 

[bpisler]

I use brake cleaner to hose off my guns
after cleaning,it's easier than using
rags to wipe them off.

I then give them a good wipe with a oiled
rag and lube them and there're good to go.

 

[Mark whiz]

I like to use brake cleaner as a final cleaner to verify all gunk is removed from the piece and that the drying action of the cleaner removes any last trace of moisture before I apply a preservative oil.

Also use the brake cleaner to clean off all of your bore brushes, jags, etc after you've finished your cleaning chores - it'll make cleaning easier the next time and keep you from indroducing foreign dirt or particles into your arms the nest time you clean them.

 

[Walkalong]

I have used B12 when I could not find brake cleaner. Works great.

Slip2000 Carbon Killer is not the same stuff. It does work great on carbon though.

 

[rcmodel]

I have used brake cleaner for cleaning guns in the shop for many years.

Keep it off of.
Plastic parts, but not including Glock frames etc. It won't hurt them.
Wood stock finish.
Sight paint.
Some clear-coat finishes, such as Ruger uses now.

If it's steel, or blued steel, it won't hurt it in the least.


rcmodel

 

[Zach S]

I use brake cleaner. Just be sure to get a thin coat of oil on the gun after you clean it, there wont be ANY oil on it after the brake cleaner dries.

I don't know about chlorinated vs non chlorinated and I don't know about slip2000carbonkiller. I buy aerosol cans of Brake Kleen by the case for cleaning all kinds of parts when working on my farm equipment.

Chlorinated is in the red can, non chlorinated is in the green can.

 

[akodo]

okay, how about carborator cleaner, how does that compare to the carbon removers targeted at gun owners, be it slip2000 or similar stuff

 

[Zach S]

Never used carb cleaner, not even on carbs. It ate the paint off my intake manifold.

 

[railroader]

Careful spraying brake cleaner on ruger polymer handguns. I have a P97 and the frame turns kinda white from brake cleaner. I have other polymer guns that are fine, it's just the ruger. Mark

 

[dagger dog]

some of the cheaper brake cleaner is tuolene based a, carrying agent, most of the chlorinated stuff is off the market, some type of E.P.A. or O.S.H.A. thing. the toulene based should be ok for degreasing etc. but don't know how well it works for carbon fouling.

the aerosol carburetor cleaners would probably de carbon OK if left in contact with the carbon deposits long enough, but i believe their primary usages are for soot type deposits. there is a carbon (hard deposits) remover through G.M. parts department they call it top cleaner and it definitly will remove hard deposits, another that is commercially available, SEA FOAM can be had at ___ MART.
i have used both in automotve situation and lean toward the GM. i don't know about the firearms ( ?) if they are safe to blueing or if they could cause problems if blueing or rebluing. the brake cleaners could also be negitively reactive to the blueing process.

i have used the tuolene based brake cleaner to prepare an aluminum, framed steel slide pistol for an two stage epoxy paint process, that stated toulene was ok in their process.

good luck in finding a substitute