Hard carbon removing, help!

[Murray Brook]

I've used Fritz and find it work real good. The Green stuff.

 

[HTSmith]

put the guide on the rod before you put the brush and JB'd patch on the rod

Another gem. Why can't I think of stuff like that

 

[Martin52]

Does the EGR valve cleaner spray remove carbon deposits?


A Winning in the Wind video recommends using methyl isobutyl ketone, which is a solvent for nitrocellulose, which is the base for gunpowder.
Do you have any feedback on this?

I have not used EGR valve cleaner but I have used this:

Nulon - Pro Strength Throttle Body and Carby Cleaner 400gram

Nulon Pro-Strength Throttle Body & Carby Cleaner is specifically formulated to quickly and easily remove gum, sludge, varnish, grease and dirt build-up from carburettors, throttle bodies, automatic chokes, PCV and EGR valves.Benefits: 400Gram Aerosol Can Dissolves carburettor deposits inside and...

theskylineshed.com

Regarding methyl isobutyl ketone, yes, Winning in the Wind (@Keith Glasscock) has reported on this being an ingredient in Free All.

Free-All Penetrating Oil

Free-All Penetrating Oil, RE06 The original rust eater, Free-All Oil penetrates rust, scale, and corrosion to free rusted or frozen parts and assemblies quickly and easily. This deep penetrating oil loosens tar, lead, grease, and carbon and graphite deposits. A rust-eating formula makes this...

www.dultmeier.com

 

[JLT]

I read somewhere that there is no known solvent that dissolves carbon. You might soften other chemicals that it's mixed with? Sounds like you need an abrasive.

This is true. Carbon is not soluble. It requires mechanical action (preferably with a good surfactant) or acids for removal. Acids are not recommended. If the acid used is strong enough to remove the carbon from steel, it is strong enough to affect the steel upon which the carbon is deposited.

Brushing and occasional use of a mild abrasive like JB or ThoroClean will keep the hard carbon under control. Give ThoroClean a try. It works very well.

 

[Turkeytider]

JB Bore Paste. Recommended by others here already. This stuff works great. Including getting rid of carbon rings in the throat.

The blue, not the red.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

What about getting a mop soaked w some ammonia solvent and letting it sit right at the 'spot'. I don't think (?????) it would hurt the barrel. muzzle down of course. some older heads would know better. what about a bronze brush w drill attachment? PURE guessing here.

 

[jelenko]

Amonia won't make any difference.
Spinning a bronze brush might get the hard carbon out - if you're ok with spinning a bronze brush in your bore.

 

[Bora72]

Another option is Flitz bore cleaner.
It's thinner than Iosso or Thorroclean but works well on a patch wrapped around a jag or brush.

FYI. The latest Thorroclean [I got some two weeks ago] is now about the same consistency as Iosso. I'm guessing because they recommend using it on a brush.

Ok for Flitz.

Are other Iosso pastes like Bore Cleaner also good for barrel usage?

I'm thinking of buying the Torroclean and Torroflush combo, in a small size. I think you only need a small amount, and even a small amount will last a long time.

These pastes/compounds can make some damage for the barrels?
Like increasing of quotes or wear of rifling?

 

[Bora72]

This is true. Carbon is not soluble. It requires mechanical action (preferably with a good surfactant) or acids for removal. Acids are not recommended. If the acid used is strong enough to remove the carbon from steel, it is strong enough to affect the steel upon which the carbon is deposited.

Brushing and occasional use of a mild abrasive like JB or ThoroClean will keep the hard carbon under control. Give ThoroClean a try. It works very well.

I don't know if the carbon film created by fireplace smoke is similar to that created by gunpowder, but I can assure you that my father used a wet paper towel sprinkled with wood ash to clean the glass in his fireplace. It works just like specific products for cleaning creosote, and it's free and eco-friendly.
Many years ago, my grandparents used ash to clean the house...

 

[Bora72]

The blue, not the red.

Thanks!

 

[Bora72]

What about getting a mop soaked w some ammonia solvent and letting it sit right at the 'spot'. I don't think (?????) it would hurt the barrel. muzzle down of course. some older heads would know better. what about a bronze brush w drill attachment? PURE guessing here.

Hi, if you clean the ammonia well, it's not a problem, but it's easier to do on a handgun than on a rifle.
Also, if you let the ammonia sit, you have to be careful not to let it dry; it's precisely when it dries that it reacts with oxygen and causes problems.

 

[ELR LVR]

How often do you clean your barrels?

This ^^^ dont go more than 50 rounds before cleaning
it wont be a problem any longer
_i've read of some people who are not so much strictly accuracy shooters say things like
"Meh I can go 300 rounds in my 308 before having to clean the barrel"
Ummm yeah, Im sure ya can, ok go ahead then.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Other than that, if no one has mentioned it yet, Try some Kroil and let it soak
Kroil is about the thinnest penetrant there is and seeps into cracks 1 millionth of an inch
It should helps soften the carbon getting in between the molecules
Then use some JB bore paste

 

[Turkeytider]

This ^^^ dont go more than 50 rounds before cleaning
it wont be a problem any longer
_i've read of some people who are not so much strictly accuracy shooters say things like
"Meh I can go 300 rounds in my 308 before having to clean the barrel"
Ummm yeah, Im sure ya can, ok go ahead then.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Other than that, if no one has mentioned it yet, Try some Kroil and let it soak
Kroil is about the thinnest penetrant there is and seeps into cracks 1 millionth of an inch
It should helps soften the carbon getting in between the molecules
Then use some JB bore paste

I’ve sometimes wondered if these are the folks who come back later asking how to get rid of baked in carbon . I use the Kroil and JB around every 300 rounds or so, and when I do about 30 strokes total with the JB. Not trying to go to bare metal.
Frank Green from Bartlein Barrels has some instructive experience and opinions on barrel cleaning . There’s a long thread on Sniper’s Hide.

 

[Bora72]

I’ve sometimes wondered if these are the folks who come back later asking how to get rid of baked in carbon . I use the Kroil and JB around every 300 rounds or so, and when I do about 30 strokes total with the JB. Not trying to go to bare metal.
Frank Green from Bartlein Barrels has some instructive experience and opinions on barrel cleaning . There’s a long thread on Sniper’s Hide.

Thanks for the advice, could you link me to the discussion you're talking about?

 

[Bora72]

This ^^^ dont go more than 50 rounds before cleaning
it wont be a problem any longer
_i've read of some people who are not so much strictly accuracy shooters say things like
"Meh I can go 300 rounds in my 308 before having to clean the barrel"
Ummm yeah, Im sure ya can, ok go ahead then.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Other than that, if no one has mentioned it yet, Try some Kroil and let it soak
Kroil is about the thinnest penetrant there is and seeps into cracks 1 millionth of an inch
It should helps soften the carbon getting in between the molecules
Then use some JB bore paste

Thanks for the advice!

 

[DaWhit]

For the Love of God, GI Joe and John Wayne.... cleaning and abrasive cleaners

Guys..... This has been beaten to death but you have to watch how your using abrasive cleaners! Here is a 223 barrel with 800 rounds on it. Cleaned after every 75 rounds fired. I know the pitting is from a chemical reaction but I didn't get the whole story. It was cleaned approximately 10-12...

www.snipershide.com

 

[64Rambler]

A Winning in the Wind video recommends using methyl isobutyl ketone, which is a solvent for nitrocellulose, which is the base for gunpowder.
Do you have any feedback on this?

Yep! I use Free All, which has MIBK, and seems to keep the carbon ring down to a stain. It also has oleic acid, which I get out with Patch Out. Pic is at 982 rounds.

 

[Bora72]

For the Love of God, GI Joe and John Wayne.... cleaning and abrasive cleaners

Guys..... This has been beaten to death but you have to watch how your using abrasive cleaners! Here is a 223 barrel with 800 rounds on it. Cleaned after every 75 rounds fired. I know the pitting is from a chemical reaction but I didn't get the whole story. It was cleaned approximately 10-12...

www.snipershide.com

Grazie!

 

[Bora72]

Yep! I use Free All, which has MIBK, and seems to keep the carbon ring down to a stain. It also has oleic acid, which I get out with Patch Out.

Thanks for your feedback!

 

[SeabeeKen]

Another option is Flitz bore cleaner.
It's thinner than Iosso or Thorroclean but works well on a patch wrapped around a jag or brush.

FYI. The latest Thorroclean [I got some two weeks ago] is now about the same consistency as Iosso. I'm guessing because they recommend using it on a brush.

It is awesome stuff and I used to use it until I tried iosso and thorrough clean. Everyone has a favorite