Cleaning Shot Gun Parts (or any other gun parts) with Parts and Carb cleaner

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BrownStevenD

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Good Evening Everyone,
I've always wondered if I could use products like "Berryman/Chem-Dip carburetor and parts cleaner" or "Gunk Carburetor Parts Cleaner." Has anyone ever uses these products to clean gun parts? If any of the parts are blued, do you know if it will remove the bluing? I'm not talking about trying to clean the the entire gun, just smaller parts, pins, pistol barrels, etc. I bought a 101 year old Rem Model 11 and it hasn't been cleaned in many many years and the oil, grease, fowling, etc has turned pretty hard and no about of scrubbing will take it off.

I used to use this stuff to clean lawn mower parts/carbs when I was a small engine mechanic in my much much younger days and it worked great. I'm sure the EPA has changed the formula by now.. :)

Also, does anyone know if the Birchwood Casey bore cleaner is the same as Brake Cleaner? I've heard time and time again that it is and Brake cleaner is cheaper.

Any thoughts or information would be greatly appreciated.

Here are some links if you are not familiar with the products:

Berryman/Chem-Dip carburetor and parts cleaner---http://www.autozone.com/fuel-and-engine-cleaners-additives/carburetor-cleaner/berryman-chem-dip-carburetor-and-parts-cleaner/139313_0_0/

Gunk Carburetor Parts Cleaner-http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/gunk-carburetor-parts-cleaner-complete-kit-cc3k/7040709-P?navigationPath=L1*14924|L2*15037|L3*16114#fragment-3

Brake Cleaners. Some are Chlorinated and some not. I'm not sure which is safest. http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...leaner&vehicleIdSearch=-1&searchedFrom=header
 
I have used generic brand spray brake cleaner for cleaning filthy old guns since dirt was invented.

The only thing is, don't get it on stock finish, plastic gun parts, or yourself!

It will take the finish off you, and the stock finish & plastic.

And do it outside upwind so you don't breath it!
It will take the finish off your lungs too!

rc
 
ColtPythonElite said:
It will not harm a hot blued finish. It might strip off some cold blue stuff, though.
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Thanks! Any thoughts on the carb/parts cleaner in the 1 gallon paint can? (mentioned above). I'd mainly use it to clean small parts, bolts, pistol barrels, trigger group, etc.
 
It won't harm hot or cold blue, or Parkerizing, or plating.

It may very well take off paint finishes such as Duracoat, or camo dipped film coatings.

rc
 
Carb cleaner won't remove bluing. It will damage many wood finishes and the fumes are awful. You'd be much better off with Gun Scrubber or similar.
 
As others have said, keep the carb or brake cleaners away from stock finishes, plastics, or yourself.

Remember that these cleaners are very good at removing oils and rust preventatives. Thus leaving steel parts unprotected and prone to rust. When I use them, I clean the parts and do whatever I'm going to do and then re-oil them to protect against rust.
 
How to lube up when reassembling?

So I got my cleaner this AM and now its soaking. When I go to reassemble it, what oil or spray should I use. Should I use a gun grease on the slide, spray a little oil everywhere, etc? I've used Remoil, synthetic oils, etc in the past as well as some Hornady dry oil spray. What should I use and where on this old gun?

By the way, th shotgun is 101 years old if I didnt mention above.
 
Brake cleaner will not damage the metal parts of your gun but many shotguns have plastic or whatever you want to call it parts that will be damaged by brake cleaner. I have no problems keeping my shotguns clean with CLP. I usually run 50 rounds at the minimum through a shotgun in practice. When I shoot my 12ga and 20ga shotguns it is the cheapest ammo I can easily find, usually Winchester white box(Super Target). If I order in advance I get WWB for $70-$80 a case.
 
I'd stick to non chlorinated brake cleaner.

It's basically canned acetone, stay away from carb cleaner as it has other additives that might due... unspeakable things... to your gun!

I personally would be careful even with brake cleaner, I utterly destroyed a Marlin model 60's plastic trigger group with it once. Melted into a greasy ball of goo! Terrible day!
 
Cooldill said:
I personally would be careful even with brake cleaner, I utterly destroyed a Marlin model 60's plastic trigger group with it once. Melted into a greasy ball of goo! Terrible day!
Click to expand...

I came very near to doing the same to my Marlin Camp 9's mag & trigger housing - starting getting all sticky and I quickly rushed to flush all the parts with water and compressed air. They still ended being a little tacky and now have a matte finish, but luckily everything still functioned (so far).

Stick with gun cleaners.
 
Using carb or brake cleaner on a gun is like using paint stripper to clean your oven. While it might not hurt anything (but it might) it's not going to work as well as the correct solvent for the purpose. Straight kerosene or diesel fuel will clean a gun better than carb or brake cleaner for considerably less cash. I agree that most gun cleaning products are just ridiculously marketed and priced. If you really want to save money and get your guns clean look up Ed's Red DIY solvent. It works as well as any commercial product for a fraction of the cost. Then invest in a small compressor (which you know you need anyway) and never buy another aerosol can of cleaning solvent or lube. Brush your solvent on, blow it off and relube. All I use is bottled CLP and compressed air to clean all of my guns.
 
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One of my stock projects for this winter is the stock of a Savage 110 I let carb cleaner drip onto.......I have thought about using it to strip old stocks to be refinished with rather than citri-strip after that incident.

Cleaned the metal right up of oils and such though.

-kBob
 
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