User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
AZ, USA
|
Posted: 4/30/2023 10:01:41 PM EDT
I’ve always hated how specialized firearm cleaners always come in pitiful amounts for a ridiculous mark up. Looking for something I can use to clean a firearm that I can pickup at an auto parts store or industrial chemical supplier that may potentially clean better. My barrel is chrome lined so I do need suggestions that won’t damage it. Is there anything better than good ol brake clean for removing carbon?. Any suggestions for removing copper?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 4/30/2023 10:16:17 PM EDT
[#1]
Ed's Red. Auto trans fluid lanolin and petroleum solvents of different sorts (I use Coleman lantern fuel). My recipe: 4oz ATF, 4oz CLF, 1-2 tbsn lanolin.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: 4/30/2023 10:16:37 PM EDT
[#2]
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: 4/30/2023 10:44:52 PM EDT
[#3]
Don’t poison yourself with toxic homebrew junk.
It’s an AR. Buy a can of basic penetrating oil…crc is fine. Hose the BCG and bore with it…scrub with AP brush and bore brush…wipe dry. Done. You should lube with a real gun oil though. Penetrating oils can kill primers. I’ve been to ranges that shoot issued ARs to death and never do much more than the above. |
|
|
|
SC, USA
|
Posted: 5/1/2023 6:49:17 AM EDT
[#4]
I stumbled across a Youtube video where the guy uses a penetrating oil / spray to clean called Free All. It is available at auto parts stores and does seem to clean both carbon and copper pretty well.
The question is whether it is safe for standard steel barrels, it was used on SS barrels in the video. So far, over the past two weeks, it has not harmed the bare steel muzzle crown on one of my bolt guns but I plan to inspect the bore with a Teslong soon. I applied it to an AAC 51T suppressor mount and overnight the solution on the surface of the mount turned blue and there is no visible damage to the mounts finish. Over the past couple days when applied to a SS AR15 barrel it continues to turn patches blue indicating copper removal. |
|
|
AZ, USA
|
Posted: 5/1/2023 4:56:27 PM EDT
[#5]
I do have real gun oil from lubriplate. Will the penetrating oil be ok for the cl barrel?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 5/1/2023 8:01:17 PM EDT
[#6]
Yes, all it’s doing is loosening the carbon. It has no impact on the metal.
|
|
|
|
FL, USA
|
Posted: 5/4/2023 12:55:41 AM EDT
[#7]
Simple green ProHd lavender color at home depot will not harm aluminum and it is concentrated, I use in parts washer as well and does excellent.
|
|
|
USA
|
Posted: 5/4/2023 11:42:10 AM EDT
[#8]
Bore cleaner - I use a simplified Ed's Red. 3 parts odorless mineral spirits + 1 part Dextron ATF.
Lube - Mobil One synthetic 0w20. |
|
|
CO, USA
|
Posted: 5/4/2023 2:30:56 PM EDT
[#9]
Bought a gallon of M-Pro7 at Midway a while back for $60, but as mentioned Simple Green Pro HD is very good and I've heard that it shares the same ingredients as M-Pro 7. I'd also suggest getting 99% isopropyl alcohol instead of brake cleaner. You can use it in a spray bottle. It's non-toxic and has various uses.
|
|
|
CO, USA
|
Posted: 5/4/2023 6:53:34 PM EDT
[#10]
A can of brake cleaner, a quart of mobile 1 and a torn up t-shirt. Like $8 and covers 90% of what you need. People want to believe they need more, but realistically (as dumb as it might sound) this will cover most of your needs.
|
|
|
AZ, USA
|
Posted: 5/9/2023 1:14:42 AM EDT
[#11]
Thanks for the replies y’all. Would break cleaner, carb cleaner, or a generic penetrating oil make a better cleaner for the bolt and bore?
|
|
|
SC, USA
|
Posted: 5/9/2023 6:20:17 AM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By BasicallyNuclear: Thanks for the replies y’all. Would break cleaner, carb cleaner, or a generic penetrating oil make a better cleaner for the bolt and bore? IMO making up a batch of Ed's Red would yield better long term results at a lower cost. While Ed's is a decent bore cleaner and offers some protection against corrosion during storage it's just not the best at copper removal. It will cost you a few dollars to make up your first batch but you'll have a crap ton of solution that will serve you for years. |
|
|
|
Posted: 5/9/2023 8:45:03 AM EDT
[#13]
Lube with milspec clp and wipe it down and blow out with compressed air.
If it gets sandy hose it out with non-chlorinated brake cleaner. |
|
|
|
WA, USA
|
Posted: 5/9/2023 9:46:18 PM EDT
[#14]
Mix some 99% denatured alcohol and kerosene at a 50/50 mix. This will be almost what basic Hoppes #9 is. That's about 45% denatured alcohol, 45% kerosene, 5% banana oil for the scent, and 5% ammonia for a very slight amount of copper removal.
Non-chlorinated brake cleaner. |
|
|
IA, USA
|
Posted: 9/7/2023 9:59:07 PM EDT
[#15]
non chlorinated brake cleaner and mobil 1 drippings from the "empty" bottles from the car oil changes.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/8/2023 2:32:39 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Jupiter7200: Bore cleaner - I use a simplified Ed's Red. 3 parts odorless mineral spirits + 1 part Dextron ATF. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Jupiter7200: Bore cleaner - I use a simplified Ed's Red. 3 parts odorless mineral spirits + 1 part Dextron ATF. Originally Posted By Jupiter7200: Lube... Oil - Mobil One synthetic 0w20. Grease - Mobil One synthetic grease. Remember... If it turns, oil it. If it slides, grease it. That said, on some guns like a Glock or AR, you can get by just fine with oil only |
|
|
|
WA, USA
|
Posted: 9/13/2023 10:09:16 PM EDT
[#17]
I buy the good stuff that is recommended, unless you are a chemist. My bottles of Hoppes bore cleaner and Hoppes gun oil has lasted years. That Sweets 762 is spendy but I use that so sparingly I will bet I never run out. I also like the Simple Green mix and an ultrasonic cleaner for my small parts. Gun scrubber is basically brake clean, so I buy brake clean at the auto parts store. I do like the G96 spray for all purpose in between big cleaning spray and wipes.
But think I have recently damaged an optic with Brake clean? What's everyone's opinion on Shooters Lube cleaning solutions? Holosun cheap lens safe? Another brand recommendation? |
|
|
WA, USA
|
Posted: 10/18/2023 3:25:37 AM EDT
[#18]
Hoppes #9 (orange, or I think now orange and white bottle, the "classic") is cheap and works.
Or just make your own with a 50/50 mix of ethyl alcohol and kerosene. These are the two basic ingredients in most every old school gun cleaner. So common that in either the Glock user manual or in the armorer's manual it says to use a kerosene based cleaner. |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/18/2023 6:59:43 AM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Tejas1836: Bore Tech cleaners really among the best, 16 oz bottle will last a long time Cu cleaner Same here.  Attached Filejust keep running patches through till they stop coming out with the pretty colors. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/18/2023 7:05:10 AM EDT
[#20]
Brake cleaner, Mobil 1, Kroil. Unless I'm getting copper out of the bore, it's all you need for 99% of gun maintenance.
|
|
|
|
FL, USA
|
Posted: 10/19/2023 7:29:22 AM EDT
[Last Edit: mark5pt56]
[#21]
This is a good read to know what you are buying. For AR BCG's, etc. I have a jar of odorless mineral spirits with some acetone in it. Place the entire group into it and let it soak an hour or so, overnight if needed, everything wipes off, re lube, real easy.
https://www.realgunreviews.com/whats-really-in-gun-cleaners-lube/ |
|
|
MO, USA
|
Posted: 10/28/2023 6:48:20 PM EDT
[#22]
I have an entire box of different products that I have bought over the years.
I will still do most of my bore cleaning with Hoppes #9. I have Ed's Red for general wiping things down cleaning. I use aerosol cleaners to hose out my 22 LR AR15 lower. When it starts to jam it is filthy, and needs a serious hosing out. I have Lubriplate Assembly lube for light grease. I like synthetic motor oil ok, but I am currently using the new Lucas Oil with a Pin Applicator. Like was said above Alcohol Fuel in a spray bottle is very handy to have. I use it cleaning the Lanolin lube off of shell cases. Lots of things work reasonably well. Maby not perfect, but reasonably well. Bob R |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/29/2023 2:22:26 AM EDT
[#23]
Originally Posted By BasicallyNuclear: Any suggestions for removing copper? Bore Tech copper remover and Bore Tech Proof-Positive rifle jags. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/29/2023 2:33:42 AM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Tejas1836: Bore Tech cleaners really among the best, 16 oz bottle will last a long time Cu cleaner Bore Tech copper remover is excellent. The Eliminator Bore Cleaner does not remove copper whatsoever as claimed on their website, and does does not remove carbon better than much cheaper Hoppes 9, or CLP. |
|
|
|
CT, USA
|
Posted: 11/16/2023 4:18:16 PM EDT
[#25]
Almost any penetrating oil such as kroil, liquid wrench penetrating oil, WD-40 specialist penetrant and pb blaster will work as a basic gun cleaner. The problem is, they all stink. Regular wd-40 works well as a basic cleaner, is cheap and smells nice but you need to wipe it all away and apply another lubricant/rust preventative.
I did mix up a batch of ed's red years ago but it stunk too damn much for me. For deep barrel cleaning, I like bore tech eliminator. Works like a charm and has zero odor. The best product I have found for a CLP replacement is Blaster Multi-max lubricant. It cleans well enough, lubes very well and prevents rust really well all while smelling OK, being cheap, plus easy to find at home depot and other big stores. |
|
|
AZ, USA
|
Posted: 11/16/2023 6:46:20 PM EDT
[Last Edit: davel]
[#26]
Bore Tech Eliminator is excellent at removing copper and carbon. I and many of my shooting buddies have been using it for years Try it.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/20/2023 11:11:12 AM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Tejas1836: Bore Tech cleaners really among the best, 16 oz bottle will last a long time Cu cleaner Boretech is the best for copper without being toxic or ammonia. That said I use Hoppes. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/22/2023 9:48:39 AM EDT
[#28]
Regarding lubrication, motor oil is designed for heavy wear and resisting viscosity breakdown under high temperatures. More research has been done designing motor oil than any gun oil.
I hear several shooters are happy using Mobile 1 synthetic. I haven't switched over, because I'm currently working my way through a bottle of Lucas brand gun oil. It's probably close to motor oil or transmission fluid in composition. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/22/2023 3:01:05 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Glockycharms: Simple green ProHd lavender color at home depot will not harm aluminum and it is concentrated, I use in parts washer as well and does excellent. I'll second this. I've been using the Simple Green HD for several years now and it cleans very well. |
|
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
