Is gun scrubber brake cleaner?

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mugsie

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I purchased a spray can of gun scrubber the other day because that"s all they had. Using it this morning, it smells suspiciously like brake cleaner, only about $4 more in price! I suspect it's brake cleaner - what say ye?
 
One of the best ways to find out what's in something is to acquire a copy the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). Manufacturers are required to provide them upon request, I had to collect them all for our safety binder at a previous job.
 
Pretty much.

Not all brake cleaners are the same. They actually vary considerably between brands. I can't remember, but I did find one that smelled and behaved extremely similar.
 
No, but brake cleaner is gun scrubber. I used to buy Brakleen by the case. Spray it on, wipe it off, and oil as usual. Done.
 
Sounds like ether. Cleans away grease and oil without leaving a residue when it dries.

Same stuff as starting fluid.

Makes a really big boom when you toss a can of it into a fire, but I think we covered that in another thread a while back.
 
I've yet to find a difference between non chlorinated brake cleaners and most"gun scrubber" solvents as well.
If anybody knows different? Please educate us!
 
I don't know if it is the same or not, but I won't be surprised if someday in the near future we will look fondly at the days when we could buy any of it.

It probably contributes to global warming or ozone destruction. Ask Al, he knows everything. He invented the internet.
 
I think chlorinated brake cleaner may attack some plastics.

Walmart brake cleaner is not only cheap, it is also non-clorinated.

I use it all the time.
 
A chemist friend of mine tested Brake Kleen (in the red can) comparing it to Gunscrubber. She told me it was basically the same thing although some of the inert ingredients were different.

I think chlorinated brake cleaner may attack some plastics.



Red Brake Kleen or Gunscrubber will damage some plastics. I've seen them turn AUG magazines to goo. Glock endorsed Gunscrubber for their guns and have never seen any damage using it for a cleaner on Glocks.

Okay for Glocks, not for AUG magazines is the extent of my experience with Brake Kleen or Gunscrubber on plastics.
 
Chemically the same. Slight differences in carriers or in the propellants.

Why pay $10 a can for gunscrubber, when $2 a can nonchlorinated brake and electric motor cleaner works as well?

But I'm sure someone will be along to say that CAR chemicals are for cars and GUN chemicals are for guns. Nevermind the only real difference is the picture on the label- gun vs car.
 
Brake cleaner is NOT ether/starting fluid. Do not make the mistake of assuming this. Ether makes a BIG boom, brake cleaner, not so much.


Oh, and CAR chemicals are for cars..........:)

Would you put smokeless powder in your gas tank and primers in the starter? What size spark plugs = .50bmg?
 
The MSDS for Gun Scrubber lists
Hexane
Isopropyl Alcohol
Carbon Dioxide

There's a cheap brand of brake cleaner in Walmart that appears to be mostly alcohols, and is probably most similar to Gunscrubber

Note that most of these can be much more aggressive than Gunscrubber. They work great, just keep them away from plastic, pain, or wood. I have noted that Brake cleaners may contain:
Methanol
Acetone
Methyl Ethyl Ketone
Methyl Chloride
Light Petroleum distillates
Toluene
Perchloroethylene
Xylene

etc. etc.

EDIT: Plastic safe electrical contact cleaners are generally similar, but not really any cheaper.
 
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