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4/18/2013 3:30:25 PM EDT
I just tore into my 22 can and would like to clean the baffles up.  It is a TAC 65 (aluminum) and I am looking for a way to clean them without media blasting.  I don't have access to one right now, and I'm not quite sure I feel comfortable sandblasting my aluminum baffles.  Has anyone ever used a vibrating case polisher?  I know it will mess up my corn cob media, but, I don't mind changing it.  I just want to know if its safe for the baffles and if it will actually clean them up.  Any ideas?
4/18/2013 4:30:25 PM EDT
[#1]
I do it. It works. I use walnut media.

Throw them in there with some brass for a few hours.  All the exterior surfaces will come clean, but not the inside part of the K.

...i wonder what the outcome would be if i threw several thousand BBs in there too....
4/18/2013 5:39:00 PM EDT
[#2]
You could soda blast it.
4/18/2013 6:31:34 PM EDT
[#3]
Good ideas...I wouldn't have thought to put brass in with it.  What kind of set up do you need to soda blast?  I have heard of it, but know nothing about it.
4/19/2013 5:33:18 AM EDT
[#4]
Quoted:
Good ideas...I wouldn't have thought to put brass in with it.  What kind of set up do you need to soda blast?  I have heard of it, but know nothing about it.


http://www.harborfreight.com/15-lb-portable-soda-blaster-66742.html
4/20/2013 7:48:19 AM EDT
[#5]
Or if that one costs too much, try this:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_23137_23137?isSearch=155560-1311
4/22/2013 10:07:28 AM EDT
[#6]
Has anyone ever tried a tumbling them wet with stainless media? The media should get into all the baffles...ever see what it does to tarnished range brass? It even cleans the primer pockets.
4/22/2013 5:26:08 PM EDT
[#7]
Ok...so I finally just threw my baffles into my vibratory case polisher (w/ corn cob media), and it really didn't seem to do much.  All of the lead build up on the face of the baffles looks just as thick and nasty as it did when they went in.  It did polish up the edges a bit, but I'm not worried about that.  I guess I'm going to have to get a soda blaster!  It looks like it could be a pretty useful tool to have anyway...

Thanks for the advice fellas.
4/23/2013 4:37:29 AM EDT
[#8]
I sometimes clean my aluminum baffles in my rotary tumbler with stainless media.  I was warned that it can lead to peaning and hardening, but they are ok so far.  They come out very clean.

Ranb
6/19/2013 5:40:54 AM EDT
[#9]
Soak in gun cleaner,  then ultrasonic clean using tide liquid and hot water. Nothing short of wire wheeling, or hand scraping will remove all the lead build up.  I wait til the tac is heavy, put on gloves and N-95, remove baffles with a nylon punch i turned down, scrape lead build up soak in hoppes. Wait 20-30 min toss in sonic cleaner. Unfortunately the can does not get as clean as the host guns do.
6/19/2013 5:43:48 AM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
Ok...so I finally just threw my baffles into my vibratory case polisher (w/ corn cob media), and it really didn't seem to do much.  All of the lead build up on the face of the baffles looks just as thick and nasty as it did when they went in.  It did polish up the edges a bit, but I'm not worried about that.  I guess I'm going to have to get a soda blaster!  It looks like it could be a pretty useful tool to have anyway...

Thanks for the advice fellas.


corn is not aggresive enough

try walnut or glass beads

eta  do not use an ultrasonic cleaner on aluminum anything
6/19/2013 9:12:08 PM EDT
[#11]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Ok...so I finally just threw my baffles into my vibratory case polisher (w/ corn cob media), and it really didn't seem to do much.  All of the lead build up on the face of the baffles looks just as thick and nasty as it did when they went in.  It did polish up the edges a bit, but I'm not worried about that.  I guess I'm going to have to get a soda blaster!  It looks like it could be a pretty useful tool to have anyway...

Thanks for the advice fellas.


corn is not aggresive enough

try walnut or glass beads

eta  do not use an ultrasonic cleaner on aluminum anything



Never a problem using tide liquid, the past 5 years.  You can run in to issues when using simple green or other corrosive cleaners.

http://www.brownells.com/gun-cleaning-chemicals/professional-cleaning-systems/ultrasonic-cleaning-kits/turbo-sonic-power-professional-ultrasonic-cleaner-prod56028.aspx

. The Lyman Power Pro Ultrasonic Cleaning System is ideal for the consumer, armorer or gunsmith. The aggressive macine will clean deep, right into the pores of the barrel walls. It's ideal for moderns sporting rifles such as the AR-15 and will clean a complete rifle if uppers and lowers are separated.


What you clean with is the problem people encounter.
http://www.brownells.com/gun-cleaning-chemicals/solvents-degreasers/degreasers/ultrasonic-cleaning-solution-prod56253.aspx


   Dissolves oil, grease and powder build-up
   Cleans residue from actions, receivers, trigger assembly, etc.
   Effectively breaks up and removes fouling
   Non-corrosive to aluminum or metal parts
   Non-hazardous
   Nonflammable
   Biodegradable



6/19/2013 9:49:39 PM EDT
[#12]
I've cleaned my aluminum baffles in a rotary tumbler with SS media and Dawn dish soap. Works great!!
6/19/2013 10:01:37 PM EDT
[#13]
Blasted mine.

If they are really heavy I dont see tumbling doing the job.

That stuff is hard!!
6/20/2013 4:22:39 PM EDT
[#14]
Is their any issues using the stainless tumbling media in a vibrating tumbler for cleaning the baffles in a TAC65? Is their anything I need to be concerned with?
6/20/2013 10:54:46 PM EDT
[#15]
Quoted:
Is their any issues using the stainless tumbling media in a vibrating tumbler for cleaning the baffles in a TAC65? Is their anything I need to be concerned with?


It won't work the way it's meant to. U need a rotary tumbler to tumble it wet.

If price is a concern, I picked up a dual drum from harbor freight for $50.
6/21/2013 4:21:20 AM EDT
[#16]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Is their any issues using the stainless tumbling media in a vibrating tumbler for cleaning the baffles in a TAC65? Is their anything I need to be concerned with?


It won't work the way it's meant to. U need a rotary tumbler to tumble it wet.

If price is a concern, I picked up a dual drum from harbor freight for $50.


As said above, you need a rotary tumbler.

You don't need to get one of the Thumler Model B's that people use for brass. Get one of the smaller ones and dedicate for use with your baffles. I use an A-R1, but their MP-1 is around $70.
6/21/2013 10:46:46 AM EDT
[#17]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Is their any issues using the stainless tumbling media in a vibrating tumbler for cleaning the baffles in a TAC65? Is their anything I need to be concerned with?


It won't work the way it's meant to. U need a rotary tumbler to tumble it wet.

If price is a concern, I picked up a dual drum from harbor freight for $50.


As said above, you need a rotary tumbler.

You don't need to get one of the Thumler Model B's that people use for brass. Get one of the smaller ones and dedicate for use with your baffles. I use an A-R1, but their MP-1 is around $70.



Good info, I was going to do the soda blasting method. Now I think wet tumbling is a better option. I already spend a few hours cleaning my guns after shooting. Dont really want to spend another hour cleaning baffles if I can help it!
So let me get this right.

Harbor Freight  Tumbler and stainless media is all that is needed? Is 1lb enough media?
Does the media have to be round ball or Pins, or a mixture of both?
Do I put water or another type of liquid in the tumbler to make it wet?
6/21/2013 9:26:36 PM EDT
[#18]
I run 2.5 pounds in each drum (since I bought 5 pounds). I would bet for a 22 cans baffles, 1 pound would work. I run SS pins, plain or tap water and a squirt of Dawn. Run for about 4 hrs seems perfect. They won't be 100% sparkling new clean, but definitely cleaner than I ever could have gotten by hand in any reasonable amount of time.
7/1/2013 11:02:23 AM EDT
[#19]
Just tried the tumbler and SS pins method, It came out feeling rubbery. It could be due to the inside of the tumbler cannister. It did clean the inside of a couple of my baffles but not all. I ran for about 9 hours , while I was a t work. I didnt use the water and Dawn so I will try that next.
7/1/2013 11:59:41 AM EDT
[#20]
Quoted:
Just tried the tumbler and SS pins method, It came out feeling rubbery. It could be due to the inside of the tumbler cannister. It did clean the inside of a couple of my baffles but not all. I ran for about 9 hours , while I was a t work. I didnt use the water and Dawn so I will try that next.


"didnt use water" as in tumbled dry with pins and baffles only or with water but without soap?
7/1/2013 12:51:28 PM EDT
[#21]
Yes I tumbled dry no water or soap
7/1/2013 1:21:08 PM EDT
[#22]
Quoted:
Yes I tumbled dry no water or soap


You gotta use water and a couple drops of soap, I used Dawn dish soap, to clean properly. I only tumble for 4-5 hours to minimize the risk of peening the aluminum baffles.
7/1/2013 3:32:19 PM EDT
[#23]
GOTCHA! Will definately try again. Thanks!
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