Brake cleaner? - Page 1

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Posted: 10/21/2017 8:39:01 AM EDT

does anybody use brake cleaner to clean the carbon and grime off the internals of the gun? I figure a shot of break cleaner on all the internals would remove the grease, old oil, and carbon... then just clean the barrel, lube all, and reassemble.

Thoughts? I imagine I can't be the first guy who has thought of this.

Posted: 10/21/2017 8:41:58 AM EDT

[#1]

Do it in a well ventilated area

Posted: 10/21/2017 9:09:13 AM EDT

[#2]

Yes. I get the non chlorine type. It cleans everything but you will need to oil it back up after cleaning

Posted: 10/21/2017 2:02:01 PM EDT

[#3]

Yeah I've used it on my 1911 on a few occasions where I have had to so a deep clean.

I wasn't sure about ar-15s though.

I don't really intend to use oil, but rather valvoline moly fortified grease or neco moly slide if it will run good...im not a huge fan of liquid oils for guns if I can help it (although there are plenty of good ones)

Posted: 10/21/2017 2:51:36 PM EDT

[#4]

I always make sure it's non-chlorinated. Chlorinated can eat anodizing off an AR-15, or anything anodized.

But I use it after every range trip. Works well.

Posted: 10/21/2017 5:59:25 PM EDT

[#5]

I use gun scrubber which worked well for me over the years. I once tried a non-chlorinated brake cleaner on my M1 Garand once. It melted the paint off the gas block. Never used it again. The gun scrubber seems to be as good but not as strong.

Posted: 10/21/2017 6:12:08 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
I use gun scrubber which worked well for me over the years. I once tried a non-chlorinated brake cleaner on my M1 Garand once. It melted the paint off the gas block. Never used it again. The gun scrubber seems to be as good but not as strong.

View Quote

M1 gas cylinders are stainless and don't take to coatings very well anyway.....

Posted: 10/23/2017 12:41:56 PM EDT

[#7]

I use it, works well. Its has been the catalyst for a couple projects... Ive ruined a forend & a finish, so be careful where you spray.

Posted: 10/28/2017 9:31:35 AM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
I use gun scrubber which worked well for me over the years. I once tried a non-chlorinated brake cleaner on my M1 Garand once. It melted the paint off the gas block. Never used it again. The gun scrubber seems to be as good but not as strong.

View Quote

Gun Scrubber is good however non-chlorinated Brake cleaner is supposed to be the same thing but costs a bunch less. That's why people recommend that over Gun Scrubber.

Posted: 10/28/2017 9:35:52 AM EDT

[#9]

I've used it for years. Works great.

Posted: 10/28/2017 10:27:41 AM EDT

[#10]

I use it to clean quite a bit, but where safety glasses when doing it. Potentially Lots of backsplash from spraying parts with brake cleaner, and it sucks badly when you get it in your eyes.

Posted: 10/28/2017 10:40:15 PM EDT

[#11]

Just make sure to use the non-chlorinated as others have stated. Never seen it harm anything. I have seen chlorinated cleaner distort some cheap rubber O-rings / seals and not others. I have also seen carb cleaner do the same on rubber that the brake cleaner did no damage to and vice versa. Crazy. If I was gonna spray the bcg I'd remove the extractor O-ring or make sure it was Viton.

Posted: 10/29/2017 8:21:36 AM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
I've used it for years. Works great.

View Quote

Yup.

Posted: 10/30/2017 6:12:45 PM EDT

[#13]

One of the best (Jerry Miculek) uses it. I have personally never tried it myself.

See the video below - Watch complete or the brake part cleaning portion starting at 12:50 in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMuWlomfnf4

Posted: 11/8/2017 8:41:39 PM EDT

[#14]

Isn't Powder Blast essentially just non-chlorinated brake cleaner anyway?

I've been using non-cl CRC Brakleen for a while now- works just like powder blast for a few bucks less a can.

Posted: 1/3/2018 6:55:47 PM EDT

[#15]

Does brake cleaner affect any of the polymer parts?

Posted: 1/3/2018 6:57:45 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
Does brake cleaner affect any of the polymer parts?

View Quote

You have to use the NON-CHLORINATED Brake Cleaner - then it will not harm plastic / polymer.

Posted: 1/3/2018 9:36:07 PM EDT

[#17]

I use the dog out of non-chlorinated brake cleaner. Followed by a lube. If I can't lube it, I don't use it. Just use it smartly and if in doubt, take a little break and research the specific question you have about it.

Posted: 1/6/2018 7:54:35 PM EDT

[#18]

Brakes cleaner works great. Just be careful if you have an adhesive grip like a Talon on your gun.

Posted: 1/8/2018 2:51:44 PM EDT

[#19]

Carb cleaner works too.

Posted: 1/8/2018 2:54:58 PM EDT

[#20]

Make sure it's non chlorinated but then go nuts. Brake Cleaner is my go to gun cleaner when I'm feeling lazy.

Posted: 1/12/2018 4:16:03 AM EDT

[#21]

Question for you guys,

Is non-chlorinated brake cleaner safe to use on polymer pistols like Glocks and Springfield XDS??

Thanks

Posted: 1/12/2018 4:03:06 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
Question for you guys,

Is non-chlorinated brake cleaner safe to use on polymer pistols like Glocks and Springfield XDS??

Thanks

View Quote

Yes. Done it many times.

I mainly use mineral spirits now since I have a small parts washer and mineral spirits dries residue free as well.

Posted: 1/12/2018 4:11:39 PM EDT

[#23]

MPRO-7 is safer and more effective.

I use brake cleaner on complicated .22lr firearms that I don't want to take apart. Spray it with brake clean, hit with high pressure air. Re-oil, and back to war.

I only use brake cleaner on an AR15 if I am going to paint it.

Posted: 1/15/2018 5:04:16 PM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:
Question for you guys,

Is non-chlorinated brake cleaner safe to use on polymer pistols like Glocks and Springfield XDS??

Thanks

View Quote

the brake cleaner leaves a white residue on my glock frames. carb cleaner does not.

Posted: 1/18/2018 7:48:31 PM EDT

[#25]

I have 2 issues with brake cleaner: (1) it really removes oil, so I always follow up with a thorough spray of CLP then blow it out with compressed air. Works great with pistols too! (2) Geissele recommends grease (not oil) on the trigger surfaces so that takes a little effort.

Posted: 1/27/2018 4:57:17 AM EDT

[#26]

Both non-chlorinated and the regular Gun Scrubber can and have damaged plastics. Maybe not a Glock or M&P frame but I have seen it damage plastics/polymers.
For any plastic part I would use the polymer safe Gun Scrubber. Even the more durable plastics like glock, xd, m&p. For metal I do use a lot of non-chlorinated brake cleaner.
All three of those can damage the finish on wood too. Especially oil finishes or shellac.

Posted: 1/27/2018 5:19:44 AM EDT

[#27]

About 20 years ago I melted 3 or 4 plastic 25rd 10/22 mags cleaning them with with brake cleaner. That was ban-era, those mags were pricey on my budget. Don't spray it on plastic.

Posted: 2/27/2018 12:35:47 AM EDT

[#28]

I use either brake cleaner or Carb cleaner (whichever is on sale at WalMart) for cleaning out the crap inside of whatever gun I'm cleaning. It blows all the powder and lube out leaving a bone dry and clean surface. Put some fresh lube on and it's good to go. You can spend a lot more on products that do the exact same thing.

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