reusing solvents

[Pocket Rocket]

I've read that some people reuse all sorts of solvents such as Simple Green, kerosene, etc in tank cleaners. I recently soaked an old milsurp in Hoppe's #9 and I saved the used product back in the original bottles. Would you use this to clean your guns? I am just wondering since there is some grit in the bottles from the initial cleaning.

 

[rcmodel]

Most dirt & crud will settle to the bottom if given enough time.

I keep a gallon of paint thinner in the shop I use to clean bore brushes, paint brushes, etc. I use in gun cleaning & repair

After a month of setting, I can pour or siphon off the clean solvent on top and dump the crap on the bottom.

Were I you, I would pour all of the solvent into one bottle and wait for the impurities to settle out, then carefully put it back in the original bottles.

You can also use a small funnel and coffee filter to strain the bigger grit out.

The other thing is, a lot of the aromatic solvents in Hoppes that make it so good will evaporate out if left exposed to the air very long.

Make sure yours is still worth saving.

rc

 

[Pocket Rocket]

Thanks for the info. I was performing an economy deep-clean by soaking all the parts in an open plastic container for a little more than 24 hours. Based on that time frame, do you think that Hoppe's might have outlived it's useful life? It certainly still has the Hoppe's aroma.

Also, is there a big benefit to using Hoppe's versus mineral spirits for this type of large-scale job? The Hoppe's certainly cost me a lot more money than a gallon of mineral spirits. I was thinking of using plain ole mineral spirits for a large volume job like this next time and saving the Hoppe's for regular maintenance.

 

[rcmodel]

Mineral spirits, or kerosene, or lamp oil would do as well for a lot less money.

Not much fire hazard but I wouldn't use any of them next to the hot water heater.

If you want cheap & very effective in large quanity, you might mix up a batch of Ed's Red.
http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=9

rc

 

[Old Guard Dog]

+1 on Ed's Red