Good substitute for Break Free Powder Blast.

[stchman]

Apparently WalMart has suddenly stopped carrying Break Free Powder Blast.

This stuff works great at removing solvent residue off of my guns.

My question is is there a good substitute for this. I have read that brake cleaner is basically the same thing. I use brake cleaner on bores after I am done cleaning them.

Just want to get everyone's opinion.

 

[blueorb]

Break cleaner or carb cleaner both work great.

 

[stchman]

I use brake cleaner and carb cleaner on my Mini-14 gas chamber and it cleans it pretty darn good.

I am just worried that those chemicals can do damage to polymers.

 

[Owen Sparks]

Nothing cleans like Naphtha.
Naphtha is used primely as a thinner for oil based paint and as a solvent for petroleum based products. You can find it at any paint store. It will definitely clean a gun but because it strips away all oil, you MUST run an oil soaked patch through the bore and wipe down all metal to prevent rust. I use it in combination with regular Break Free. Naphtha evaporates in seconds and will not harm polymer or wood but it is flammable so don't smoke!

 

[CWL]

I am just worried that those chemicals can do damage to polymers.

Think it through.

Brake cleaner is shot directly onto automobile brakes right? Wouldn't spray & run-off flow onto the rubber, valve stem, valve cap and plastic wheel covers? Do they melt? Doesn't some splash onto the paint job? Does this make the paint run?

Carb cleaner is shot into and around the carb. Aren't there wires covered in plastic as well as lots of additional plastic car parts under the hood? Do they get damaged from this stuff?

If brake cleaner and carb cleaners were so destructive, how many companies would have survived after getting hit with class action lawsuits for destroying cars and endangering drivers?

These cleaners are formulated to remove carbon build-up and degrease down to bare metal. That's it. Some of the chemicals in them do react to older plastic formulations from Eastern Europe, but there is no evidence of them ever damaging the polymer of Glocks, XDs. HK, etc.

 

[Walkalong]

B12-Chemtool

Cleans great. No residue. As cheap as anything.

 

[DHJenkins]

From the back of bottle of Brake Parts Cleaner:

1. Safe on most automotive plastics. Test on a small area before using.

2. Protect all rubber brake parts and painted surfaces from product and overspray. DO NOT spray directly on painted surfaces.

From the back of bottle of BG Throttle Body & Intake Cleaner:

Warning: If accidentally sprayed on paint, wash off immediately.


As a side note, brake cleaner is designed (and does) remove ALL oils, greases, residues, etc... If you've ever sprayed brake cleaner on latex or nitrile gloves, then you know it does 'eat' them a bit. Since polymers/plastics contain oils, it's very possible that it could negatively affect them.

Carb cleaner will leave a slight reside which usually contains lubricants and anti-corrosive agents, so if you're looking for 'bare finish' or 'bare metal' clean, this isn't what you want.

Also, automotive plastics and wire shielding are designed to be 'chemical' safe. As a professional mechanic, I've seen plenty of cheap-o rat-shack wire degrade after being hit with parts cleaner.