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Posted: 8/15/2016 8:44:16 AM EDT
Anyone try brake cleaner for cleaning the gas tube on an AR? Just thinking that would clean the gas system very well after shooting steel cased ammo. I know for sure it will clean the bore wonderfully well, and then I use a good oil to oil the bore........just never shot it thru the gas system!
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Posted: 8/15/2016 9:26:34 AM EDT
[#1]
I typically use brake cleaner on barrel threads before installing/timing muzzle devices to make sure there is no residual oils before applying thread-lock.
That being said, the brake cleaner will remove all lube and flash rust can be an issue if the bore is not lubricated right away. Also, not sure how effective the brake cleaner would be in removing copper fouling - a contributor to reduced accuracy. Never tried it in the gas system/tube. |
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Posted: 8/15/2016 11:51:45 AM EDT
[#2]
in the 20 years I was in the military, the only thing we did to clean the gas tube was to take a pipe cleaner and cleaned it as far as the pipe cleaner would go in, that's it. that's what I still do with my AR, I also shoot steel case ammo, never had failure due to gas problems
I believe you are too overly concern with cleaning the gas tube, just use a pipe cleaner to clean the first 3 or 4 inches of it, then put a period at the end of that cleaning process |
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Posted: 8/15/2016 12:32:20 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I typically use brake cleaner on barrel threads before installing/timing muzzle devices to make sure there is no residual oils before applying thread-lock. That being said, the brake cleaner will remove all lube and flash rust can be an issue if the bore is not lubricated right away. Also, not sure how effective the brake cleaner would be in removing copper fouling - a contributor to reduced accuracy. Never tried it in the gas system/tube. I read the AMU doesn't clean copper fouling. It just screws up their consistency and data recordings IIRC.. |
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Posted: 8/15/2016 12:49:23 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I read the AMU doesn't clean copper fouling. It just screws up their consistency and data recordings IIRC.. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I typically use brake cleaner on barrel threads before installing/timing muzzle devices to make sure there is no residual oils before applying thread-lock. That being said, the brake cleaner will remove all lube and flash rust can be an issue if the bore is not lubricated right away. Also, not sure how effective the brake cleaner would be in removing copper fouling - a contributor to reduced accuracy. Never tried it in the gas system/tube. I read the AMU doesn't clean copper fouling. It just screws up their consistency and data recordings IIRC.. You'll have to clean it sooner or later. It'll eventually build up to the point accuracy starts dropping off. Now you don't scrub it out every range trip. Just when accuracy drops off |
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Posted: 8/16/2016 10:16:09 AM EDT
[#5]
Be careful with that. I read about a guy who heated brake cleaner by welding a piece that still had some on it, and next thing you know, he was disabled for life. It produces the same nerve gas used by the nazis, i think.
Edit to add: needs argon, too, but still, phosgene gas http://www.brewracingframes.com/safety-alert-brake-cleaner--phosgene-gas.html |
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Posted: 8/17/2016 4:28:10 AM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Be careful with that. I read about a guy who heated brake cleaner by welding a piece that still had some on it, and next thing you know, he was disabled for life. It produces the same nerve gas used by the nazis, i think. Edit to add: needs argon, too, but still, phosgene gas http://www.brewracingframes.com/safety-alert-brake-cleaner--phosgene-gas.html Same problem exists with the almost identical Gunscrubber. |
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Posted: 8/17/2016 8:22:58 AM EDT
[#7]
Use Non Chlorinated brake cleaner only.
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Posted: 8/17/2016 1:09:23 PM EDT
[#8]
I squirt some down the gas tube when I clean my rifles. Might not help but doesn't hurt.
I only use non chlorinated brake cleaner. |
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Posted: 8/18/2016 6:25:36 PM EDT
[#9]
I used it for at least 10 years, with no problems. Remember it removes all lubrication, re-lub well.
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Posted: 8/18/2016 7:09:56 PM EDT
[#10]
Gas tubes are like vaginas, self cleaning.
Txl |
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Posted: 8/21/2016 1:45:38 AM EDT
[#11]
Non-chlorinated brake cleaner is really good carbon remover, but you need to re-oil anything it comes in contact with because it strips away everything. Will not hurt metal finish, but can eat up polymer and wood finishes. It will do absolutely nothing for copper or lead fouling. It worked great for cleaning 240 and 249 pistons quickly when I was in the Army; they still needed to be re-oiled and buffed out. That had zero effect on weapon function, but .mil weirdness and all. No need for it on AR platform weapons.
Gun Scrubber or whatever it is called is basically the same thing that costs more. |
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Posted: 8/22/2016 8:20:18 AM EDT
[#12]
Don't clean your gas tube.
Only real use for brake cleaner (mostly acetone) is to degrease as part of prep for painting your gun. Your BCG and upper should have enough lube to keep the carbon in suspension and it will just wipe clean. No solvents or brushing needed except in the chamber and bore IMO. |
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Posted: 8/22/2016 8:26:07 AM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Use Non Chlorinated brake cleaner only. +1 I believe the chlorinated version eats Anodizing. |
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Posted: 8/22/2016 10:35:55 AM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Gas tubes are like vaginas, self cleaning. Txl NOT SO 
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Posted: 8/22/2016 11:02:53 AM EDT
[#15]
Do NOT use the Red/White CRC brake cleaner on any part that gets hot. It creates Phosphene gas and can make you deathly ill.
edit, see it's already been covered. We just had a safety meeting at work about it. |
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Posted: 8/22/2016 11:08:34 AM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Same problem exists with the almost identical Gunscrubber. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Be careful with that. I read about a guy who heated brake cleaner by welding a piece that still had some on it, and next thing you know, he was disabled for life. It produces the same nerve gas used by the nazis, i think. Edit to add: needs argon, too, but still, phosgene gas http://www.brewracingframes.com/safety-alert-brake-cleaner--phosgene-gas.html Same problem exists with the almost identical Gunscrubber. Both evaportate quickly, and most people wouldn't go shooting right after cleaning their guns. But yes, the potential is there. I prefer acetone for cleaning before welding. |
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Posted: 8/22/2016 11:51:55 AM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Do NOT use the Red/White CRC brake cleaner on any part that gets hot. It creates Phosphene gas and can make you deathly ill. edit, see it's already been covered. We just had a safety meeting at work about it. Is that the chlorinated version? I think my can is green. |
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Posted: 8/22/2016 11:55:43 AM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Is that the chlorinated version? I think my can is green. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Do NOT use the Red/White CRC brake cleaner on any part that gets hot. It creates Phosphene gas and can make you deathly ill. edit, see it's already been covered. We just had a safety meeting at work about it. Is that the chlorinated version? I think my can is green. Yes, and it works 10x better than the green can. It's also the best bug killing spray ever, I use it for covering fire on yellow jackets until I can get close enough with the gas can 
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Posted: 8/27/2016 9:49:01 AM EDT
[#19]
Quoted:
Anyone try brake cleaner for cleaning the gas tube on an AR? Just thinking that would clean the gas system very well after shooting steel cased ammo. I know for sure it will clean the bore wonderfully well, and then I use a good oil to oil the bore........just never shot it thru the gas system! A pack of gas tube is really, really cheap. You can replace in about 5 minutes. Maybe once a year you punch out the old gas tube, replace it with a new one. Cleaning the gas tube is as silly as cleaning the buffer spring. They're cheap parts that you can replace in less than a few minutes/seconds and you waste all that time trying to keep a cheap part clean not knowing the more you clean it, the worst it gets. You spend maybe 30-40 minutes trying to clean every nook and cranny you can think of. Just imagine if you cleaned the gun for 10 minutes, then used that remaining 20 minutes to spend time with your family, friends, or just for yourself. Don't waste your life doing silly things especially trying to clean a cheap 2 dollar pipe. I mean every time you shit in the toilet do you snake it? |
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Posted: 8/27/2016 5:18:22 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
A pack of gas tube is really, really cheap. You can replace in about 5 minutes. Maybe once a year you punch out the old gas tube, replace it with a new one. Cleaning the gas tube is as silly as cleaning the buffer spring. They're cheap parts that you can replace in less than a few minutes/seconds and you waste all that time trying to keep a cheap part clean not knowing the more you clean it, the worst it gets. You spend maybe 30-40 minutes trying to clean every nook and cranny you can think of. Just imagine if you cleaned the gun for 10 minutes, then used that remaining 20 minutes to spend time with your family, friends, or just for yourself. Don't waste your life doing silly things especially trying to clean a cheap 2 dollar pipe. I mean every time you shit in the toilet do you snake it? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Anyone try brake cleaner for cleaning the gas tube on an AR? Just thinking that would clean the gas system very well after shooting steel cased ammo. I know for sure it will clean the bore wonderfully well, and then I use a good oil to oil the bore........just never shot it thru the gas system! A pack of gas tube is really, really cheap. You can replace in about 5 minutes. Maybe once a year you punch out the old gas tube, replace it with a new one. Cleaning the gas tube is as silly as cleaning the buffer spring. They're cheap parts that you can replace in less than a few minutes/seconds and you waste all that time trying to keep a cheap part clean not knowing the more you clean it, the worst it gets. You spend maybe 30-40 minutes trying to clean every nook and cranny you can think of. Just imagine if you cleaned the gun for 10 minutes, then used that remaining 20 minutes to spend time with your family, friends, or just for yourself. Don't waste your life doing silly things especially trying to clean a cheap 2 dollar pipe. I mean every time you shit in the toilet do you snake it? OMG...Am I on Facebook? 
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Posted: 8/30/2016 11:18:28 PM EDT
[#21]
Brake cleaner works really well as a rinse after using cleaners and solvents and brushes - does an nice rincs job. It does require re applying oil to any surface that needs it but saves a lot of patch use.
I did not know about the phosgene thing with chlorinated solvents and fire - not good. i have always used non chlorinated but did not really know why. Rinsing out the gas tube can't hurt. |
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Posted: 8/31/2016 9:14:41 AM EDT
[#22]
Other good cleaners:
Throttle Body Cleaner (acetone [80-90%], CO2 [5-10%], with 1 to 3% of the following: 3-methylhexane, methylcyclohexane, n-heptane, toluene, and less than 1% cyclohexane) Carburetor Cleaner (methanol [30-40%], toluene [30-40%], acetone [20-30%], ethylbenzene [less than .2%]) Non-chlorinated brake cleaners (methanol [40-50%], toluene [10-20%], acetone [5-15%], 3-methylhexane [5-10%], CO2 [5-10%], n-heptane [5-10%], methylcyclohexane [3-5%], naphtha [3-5%], cyclohexane [1-3%], and ethylbenzene [less than .2%]. Chlorinated brake cleaner is 95-100% tetrachloroethylene, and the remainder CO2. You start to see a pattern as to what makes to good cleaner. |
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Posted: 9/1/2016 5:24:43 AM EDT
[#23]
I have a small parts washer I keep filled with mineral spirits. Mild cleaner and safe to work with but will also strip all the oils off.
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Posted: 9/1/2016 9:43:47 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I have a small parts washer I keep filled with mineral spirits. Mild cleaner and safe to work with but will also strip all the oils off. Not sure of your application for it so not sure if it would be good, but adding some ATF to the mix will add a layer of protection and still clean. |
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Posted: 9/2/2016 5:05:26 AM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted: in the 20 years I was in the military, the only thing we did to clean the gas tube was to take a pipe cleaner and cleaned it as far as the pipe cleaner would go in, that's it. that's what I still do with my AR, I also shoot steel case ammo, never had failure due to gas problems I believe you are too overly concern with cleaning the gas tube, just use a pipe cleaner to clean the first 3 or 4 inches of it, then put a period at the end of that cleaning process |
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Posted: 9/2/2016 1:25:26 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Not sure of your application for it so not sure if it would be good, but adding some ATF to the mix will add a layer of protection and still clean. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I have a small parts washer I keep filled with mineral spirits. Mild cleaner and safe to work with but will also strip all the oils off. Not sure of your application for it so not sure if it would be good, but adding some ATF to the mix will add a layer of protection and still clean. I always oil after cleaning. Mineral spirits does a great cleaning job. |
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Posted: 9/6/2016 2:03:44 AM EDT
[#27]
Quoted:
Anyone try brake cleaner for cleaning the gas tube on an AR? Just thinking that would clean the gas system very well after shooting steel cased ammo. I know for sure it will clean the bore wonderfully well, and then I use a good oil to oil the bore........just never shot it thru the gas system! You almost certainly do not need to clean the gas tube. Chlorinated brake cleaner has VERY VERY nasty stuff in it. Non-chlorinated brake cleaner typically has Acetone and/or Toluene in it, which is not much better. Don't screw around with either of them. It will eventually mess you up. There is virtually nothing on an AR that you need to be cleaning with brake cleaner unless you're using the non-chlorinated type to strip paint, and even that's a bad idea given the alternatives available. |
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Posted: 9/8/2016 7:00:35 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I squirt some down the gas tube when I clean my rifles. Might not help but doesn't hurt. I only use non chlorinated brake cleaner. Non chlorinated is key. |
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Posted: 10/4/2016 5:18:58 AM EDT
[#29]
Reel Scrubber in the fishing section is the exact same stuff as Gun Scrubber. Same hit different label. I've used gun scrubber for 30+ years. I use it because it works fast. Does require relubing as it will remove all oil anywhere it touches.
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Posted: 10/19/2016 11:48:43 PM EDT
[#30]
Clean a gas tube?
It's a gas pressure direction device. One function. No metric for maintenance. It works or it doesn't. Never heard of a malf due to a gas tube. |
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Posted: 10/27/2016 7:36:49 AM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The military seems full of strange cleaning theories, I guess to keep young men occupied? There is no need to stick pipe cleaners in gas tubes. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
in the 20 years I was in the military, the only thing we did to clean the gas tube was to take a pipe cleaner and cleaned it as far as the pipe cleaner would go in, that's it. that's what I still do with my AR, I also shoot steel case ammo, never had failure due to gas problems I believe you are too overly concern with cleaning the gas tube, just use a pipe cleaner to clean the first 3 or 4 inches of it, then put a period at the end of that cleaning process Don't forget to stagger your gas rings...... 
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Posted: 1/25/2017 1:25:09 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The military seems full of strange cleaning theories, I guess to keep young men occupied? There is no need to stick pipe cleaners in gas tubes. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
in the 20 years I was in the military, the only thing we did to clean the gas tube was to take a pipe cleaner and cleaned it as far as the pipe cleaner would go in, that's it. that's what I still do with my AR, I also shoot steel case ammo, never had failure due to gas problems I believe you are too overly concern with cleaning the gas tube, just use a pipe cleaner to clean the first 3 or 4 inches of it, then put a period at the end of that cleaning process My buddy did two tours in VN. He said he never cleaned a gas tube on M-16, ever. 40 years later he still never has on his ARs. I use brake parts cleaner all the time. Never a problem. Non-chlorinated. |
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