Cleaned the regulator on the SR556 a few days ago and was wondering how shiny this thing should get.  I got off everything I can "feel" and it looks nicer, but the dang thing is pretty much black...some I can scratch off with a fingernail if I try hard...some I can't....

Green scotchbrite pad is your friend.  But really, as long as the chunks are knocked off, you should be GTG.  

I never even took mine out on my SR556 until I had 800+ rounds through it.  I had to do some scraping to get it to even come out.  
I wasn't having any issues, just figured it was "time" to give it a scrub.

I usually soak my regulator, piston and that little spring deal in an old 35mm film canister filled with C4 carbon remover while I clean the barrel and other parts.  I usually finish things off by running a 40-cal bore brush dipped in C4 into the gas block a few times and then wipe the interior out with a couple patches.  After the upper parts are cleaned, I wipe the soaked gas parts with a clean cloth and put everything back together.

This doesn't get the parts spotless but it certainly removes most of the fouling and allows the parts to be re-assembled easily.

Yeah, didn't break out the scotchbrite...didn't even think of it.

Might have to see if I can soak it up good and scotchbrite it.  I know its probably plenty clean anyways, just thought I should be able to make it shiny-er.

Gumout carb cleaner removes carbon but make sure you put some CLP or oil on parts after you spray them.
I usually hit the piston on a wire wheel and the other parts spray with carb cleaner and a conventional cleaning.

Wire wheel? Gosh this seems a little excessive. I'd only go this route after a very extended firing schedule without maintenance or if I had some specific need to get things that clean.

I really doubt the piston parts need too much attention to detail. My SR-556C is currently at ~ 3,500 rounds without any cleaning or servicing of the gas parts. In fact I haven't cleaned the rifle at all. All I've done is add a bit of oil to the bolt carrier periodically.

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Its a fine wire wheel..........

Yeah I'm sure it is. Still seems a little excessive. I'd probably use some 000 steel wool or something maybe.

This one particular rifle that hasn't been cleaned in 3,500 rounds has about 8,500 rounds on it. I cleaned it regularly and maintained it routinely during the first 5,000 rounds but haven't cleaned it since.

My goal is to put 10,000 rounds total on the gun (5k with cleaning, 5k without) just to see how everything holds up. I had a thread about it a couple years ago but it is long archived now.

Honestly, the whole deal has taken way longer than it should and I've kind of moved on to other things. But one of these days I'll get after it.

Once I hit this 2nd 5k mark I'll post some photos of how dirty everything is. I'll then detail strip everything and clean everything up and post a 2nd batch of photos.

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