Does carb cleaner melt synthetic stocks?

[Milkmaster]

Does carb cleaner melt synthetic stocks? I have been reading that people use brake cleaner or carb cleaner as a cheap alternative cleaner on firearams. I also here about the carb cleaner melting plastic parts. What about the synthetic stocks on rifles or shotguns? Does it melt or affect the finish on those? I don't yet have anything with a synthetic stock. I want to know before considering such a thing. I usually clean my BP weapons disassembled in the deep mop sink in my garage.

 

[BerettaNut92]

I always thought that Atkins guy was...

Anyway if carb cleaner is the same as brake cleaner, I've never had any problems with it other than the time it got in my eyes..

 

[thebaldguy]

Carb cleaner and other spray solvent should be kept away from synthetic stocks. Avoid getting that stuff on anything but metal. Immediately wipe it off if you get it on anything other than metal.

 

[bakert]

I've been told not to use carb cleaner or the more expensive Gun Scrubber which seems to be basically the same thing on polymer stocks or grips.

 

[mete]

In general don't use solvents on plastis . If you want ou could test it by putting 1 drop on the plastic to check.

 

[Rexrider]

I have never encountered any damage to my Glocks or ARs using Gun Scrubber or brake cleaner.

Brake cleaner is much cheaper but Gun Scrubber just seems to work better on the heavy stuff.

YMMV....

 

[bpisler]

I used brake cleaner on a Ruger KP-97 and
it turned the frame light grey.Nothing
seemed to remove the residue so i ended
up using a fine grit sandpaper to get rid
of it.It was strange because it didn't seem
to effect my KP-95 at all.

 

[Dr. Dickie]

Brake cleaner is a broad area.
From what I have seen, most Brake cleaners have methanol and acetone (they have them listed under various IUPAC nomenclature). As such, if the stock is nylon, then you should not have any problems (as nylon is very resisant to alcohols and acetone).
If the stock is some other plastic (polyethylene, polycarbonate, etc.) I would be very careful.
One additional problem of using these alcohol and acetone brake cleaners on your weapons is, acetone and methanol evaporate quickly. This causes excessive cooling of the metal, which resulting in condensation. If you follow with a quick application of oil, no problems. Just be aware that you are introducing water onto clean, stripped metal.
The Brake cleaner from "Advance Auto Parts," is different from most of the rest that I have come across. It uses a single, tri-chlorinated compound that does not evaporate away as quickly, so does not suffer from the same problems (it does clean great). Since it is a cholorinated compound, you should be careful with it on nylon (although nylon is fairly resistent, so it is likey that a quick exposure will not cause problems). As far as other plastics, I would check first as any organic solvent is a potential plastic solvent. A little dab in an out of the way place could save a disaster.
Course, in the end, if you don't have to, why risk it!

I see you asked about Carb cleaner. Carb cleaner is usually methanol and acetaone (or other combustable solvents--chlorinated compounds tend to be flame resistant, so no good in a carb cleaner), so any plastic short of nylon will likey turn to goo. brake cleaner is likely safer, likely!

 

[280PLUS]

I use "Brakleen" in the GREEN can because it leaves way less residue that the red can stuff.

YES! These solvents will affect your plastic stocks and grips. I have a Ruger MKIII with the plastic / rubber grips it came with from the factory and the solvent WILL make them gooey and sticky. It also does the same thing to the on the plastic toothbrushes I use for cleaning. Take your grips off the gun or be VERY careful not to get the stuff on the plastic.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Short answer - Brake cleaner is for brakes. Gun cleaner is for guns.

Brad

 

[DWARREN123]

It can, depends on chemical make up. I have used it and cerb cleaner for mil-surp barrels for the first cleaning but not the best cleaners.

 

[HighVelocity]

Gun scrubber is bad news imho. Get some under your wedding band sometime. EEEOOOW! Works wonders at removing locktite too.

Brake Cleaner and Carb Cleaner are really unpredictable. I've used a metric ton of both having been an auto mechanic for 12 years. (not anymore though thankfully). Cans of the same product from different lots can vary greatly in strength.

I generally don't use spray solvents on guns unless they're disassembled, grips, stocks removed etc. Breakfree "Powder Blast" works well and I haven't seen any ill effects caused by it's use. Berryman B12 choke/carb cleaner is strong, but still weaker than gunscrubber and works extremely well on internal parts of the action that cannot be reached without detail stripping. As always though, make sure you only use solvents in a well ventilated area, wear eye protection and remove pets from the area.