AR Sponsor
Posted: 9/4/2005 5:00:27 PM EDT
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Ok.... I know that air compressors inherently produce moisture and if used on things like computers etc, the moisture is enough to cause corrosion. I also know that lubricants are designed to repel moisture to an extent. Cleaned my AR today with a buddy that has access to a compressor that is filtered to remove the moisture. WOW....was able to really get the excess mil-comm spread to every nook and crany and made thigs MUCH easier. Can anyone tell me if using an air compressor (without the special moisture filter) can be harmful? I can afford a small compressor for this use but probably not an industrial (filtered) one. thoughts/info/ideas appreciated!! |
Maybe some internal rust if the parts were oil free but I never have a oil free gun and I'm pretty fanatical about cleaning my guns. I use a Sears red tank compressor that I believe is 40 gal in size. I use it to run my air tools in my garage with no problems. The main tank has a valve on the bottom to drain excess moisture which I drain about once per month. |
| I use compressed air to clean my rifles all of the time. Used properly, you can clean your AR like no other. Try spraying the inside area of your upper with NON-CHLORINATED break cleaner and then blow it out with compressed air. You can get the bolt-lock area so clean that a chamber star will not get any additional dirt out. Like you already said, the compressed air will spread out and remove all excess lube as well. |
do you use a water trap or anything special for moisture? |
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It's SOP for me to take my guns to work with me for a meticulous cleaning using NC brake clean and 175 psi blower . I don't worry about moisture any more since my new compressor has a filter/membrane that makes sure the compressed gas is 99.5% Nitrogen which is dry and inert . Before I had this setup , I used to spray the weapon down with EEZOX and spread it around and into crevices with the blower when I was done . Another idea I know of when using compressed air is to put an inline oilier on the hose and fill it with plain ole marvel mystery oil , which is a damn good water displacer/rust preventer . |
| I have a small compressor in my basement gun room - since it's in an air conditioned environment and the room air is dry, I've never had moisture problems using it for gun cleaning. My much larger garage compressor definately requires a moisture trap - I use one designed for painting. The power tools run off a seperate trap and filter setup. |
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