Brake cleaner after shooting

[tmwinds]

I would be very careful about spraying brake cleaner into a bore and leaving for any length of time. When the brake cleaner flashes from a liquid to a gas you get an extreme cooling effect. This can cause condensation in the barrel. especially on a warm barrel or hot humid day. Just my opinion, but I've seen brake rotors accumulate moisture and rust almost immediately after spraying with brake cleaner.

 

[Caliche Pit]

Have witnessed brake cleaner sprayed into disassembled AR bolt carrier groups to flush out carbon/powder residue buildup during the Nationals at Perry after a day on the range. Works fast, but always followed by a light coating of gun oil. Beats q-tips and solvent when you are in a hurry. Never seen it sprayed down a bore, personally.

 

[LCazador]

Guys I have the good fortune of having a bore scope to monitor my cleaning efforts. I've always used Brake Cleaner non-chlorinated to clean my brushes after use. I wouldn't use it on the bore, as it will take all the oil out of the pores in the metal. I've seen several rifles that were ruined using Brake Cleaner as a cleaning solvent. Even putting an oil soaked patch through the bore does not restore the oil that is removed. Rust will immediately attack these unprotected surfaces. And heaven forbid that you're using chlorinated brake cleaner, that's instant rust. About a year ago I had a guy bring me a Sako single shot rifle in 22PPC, this is quite a collectible rifle and I have seen some selling for over $2K. He complained that it fouled out within ten shots. The bore was a massive amount of little pits that could not be seen with a naked eye. Guess what he used for cleaning?? While chrome moly is more susceptible, it is still not good for stainless. Use Iosso for that carbon ring, it's a lot easier on that valuable chamber!

 

[jhord]

THIS is the stuff to use. Formulated specifically to cut carbon and greasy gunk, yet safe on most finishes. Awesome stuff. I use it all the time.

 

[Joe R]

jhord said: THIS is the stuff to use. Formulated specifically to cut carbon and greasy gunk, yet safe on most finishes. Awesome stuff. I use it all the time.

I guess you get at the auto parts store?

 

[lpreddick]

re brake cleaner on/in triggers...it really drys the components out! rust is a worry. lighter fluid flush of the trigger cleans out oil, etc and leaves behind a light lubrication effect, otherwise i use brake cleaner for all the above, but never as the last agent.

 

[gme]

be careful to keep it off certain finishes, it attacks many paints and powdercoat, Cerakote seems un affected by it.

 

[CanusLatransSnpr]

jhord said: THIS is the stuff to use. Formulated specifically to cut carbon and greasy gunk, yet safe on most finishes. Awesome stuff. I use it all the time.

I guess you get at the auto parts store?

PJ1 products can be fairly tough to get, not on the shelves of most part stores! It can be had by catalog via some distributors. Dennis Kirk carries some PJ products but, not sure if they carry this one?

 

[Tozguy]

Hi Guys,
I have started using brake cleaner to flush the bore after I'm finished shooting and while the bore is still warm. I generally do a thorough cleaning of the rifle when I get home.
I have been using brake cleaner to clean the brushes at the end of a cleaning session and it always does a good job of blowing carbon and dirt off.

Does anybody else use this? What is your experience? Do you have preferred after shooting method? Thanks for sharing.

Joe

I like to soak the bore for the ride home from the range but with something like penetrating oil. I used to spray dirty brushes with carb cleaner but there was so much overspray and dripping that it was tricky to find a safe place to use it. Gave that up and now I use a small glass jar of lacquer thinner to swish brass brushes in.

I will only apply a copper solvent with a nylon brush. I don't see the point of giving the copper solvent something to attack before it even sees the copper in the bore. Ammonia based copper solvents are best flushed and neutralized with soapy water. These brushes get swished in a jar of soapy water, rinsed with plain water and blotted with a paper towel.

 

[jhord]

Check with your local motorcycle shop, they can get it from Parts Unlimited or Marshall Distributing if they don't have it in stock. It's $9.75/can retail. I'm in the MC business so I guess I'm spoiled by easy access to it.

PJ1 products can be fairly tough to get, not on the shelves of most part stores! It can be had by catalog via some distributors. Dennis Kirk carries some PJ products but, not sure if they carry this one?

 

[CanusLatransSnpr]

Check with your local motorcycle shop, they can get it from Parts Unlimited or Marshall Distributing if they don't have it in stock. It's $9.75/can retail. I'm in the MC business so I guess I'm spoiled by easy access to it.

PJ1 products can be fairly tough to get, not on the shelves of most part stores! It can be had by catalog via some distributors. Dennis Kirk carries some PJ products but, not sure if they carry this one?

You are correct Jhord! I used to frequent mc shops when I was into the power sports but, I have given those hobbies up and just hunt and shoot now!

 

[jhord]

My hobby (mc racing) turned into a business so I had to change my hobby to shooting! LOL. Anyway, back on subject... the PJ1 works nice for me, I'm sure there are other good products too. Just wanted to point it out. Make sure it is the Contact Cleaner if any of ya' get some... they also make a brake cleaner, I have not tried that.

 

[Joe R]

Today was a beautiful day here in Houston, sunny and low 70s. Went out to the range a played with my .308 Savage. I brought my bore scope with me. After firing 66 rounds with the barrel still warm I inspected the chamber an sure enough a little carbon ring could be seen right in the throat of the barrel.

I took my trusty Walmart brake cleaner and squirted a bit down there from different angles and let it run down the barrel. Gave it a couple of minute to evaporate and took another look and sure enough no traces of carbon ring anywhere. When I got home I gave the rifle the usual thorough cleaning. Still lots of carbon and copper in the bore to clean but no dreaded carbon ring.

So brake cleaner in warm barrel can dislodge the carbon ring but not a whole lot more.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Same stuff I use Joe, been using it for years.

 

[kermit84]

Works for me too!

 

[1shot]

Lots of great info here guys. The pic that Joe R posted is the exact stuff I've been using for years. I read every post on here to see if anyone else has found a secondary use for this product. Well I have found that it kills wasps and hornets DEAD! You can even have a little fun and drop them in flight. It works 10+ times better than hornet spray at a fraction of the cost. To eliminate a nest entirely, wait until evening and blast them all on the nest. Knock it down and step on it to kill all the eggs, problem solved!
Lloyd

 

[fdshuster]

I've been watching this thread since I have been using Brake Cleaner ( CRC Brakleen, 19 oz. spray can) to keep my chambers dry after cleaning.

Gave 4 of my match rifles a good cleaning last November, with the brake cleaner to assure that the chambers were dry, just borescoped all 4 ( March 16), and happy to report there is not the slightest trace of rust or any type of damage.

I do have a very dry basement, woodworking tools that are carbon steel, and have been untreated for many years are completely rust-free. I've been in basements that were so heavy with dampness you could smell it. So, the enviornment where the rifles are kept may also be a contributing factor in the formation of rust, after using brake cleaner. I will use caution, and will keep its use to a minimum.

 

[Tozguy]

Lots of great info here guys. The pic that Joe R posted is the exact stuff I've been using for years. I read every post on here to see if anyone else has found a secondary use for this product. Well I have found that it kills wasps and hornets DEAD! You can even have a little fun and drop them in flight. It works 10+ times better than hornet spray at a fraction of the cost. To eliminate a nest entirely, wait until evening and blast them all on the nest. Knock it down and step on it to kill all the eggs, problem solved!
Lloyd

Kinda makes you wonder what it does unexpectedly to the hombre holding the can.

 

[fdshuster]

Tozguy: My can has the usual warnings: "Use in a well ventilated area". No different than the cans of spray paint, and a lot of other aerosols.

 

[Tozguy]

Frank,
Something that will knock wasps out of the sky doesn't sound like your average can of paint or hairspray to me. Just sayin.