I think I have found the ultimate carbon cleaner...

[Paddyd]

I believe I have stumbled on what could very well be the best carbon cutter I have ever tried.

Berryman's Chem Dip.. The auto parts and carburetor cleaner you see at Auto Zone in the gallon cans. Run a couple wet patches through the bore and let it sit 10 or 15 minutes. All the carbon just melts and wipes away. Harmless to steel too. Can't be certain it wouldn't damage a stock finish though.

 

[jrm850]

You had me at "All the carbon just melts and wipes away".

 

[Ccrider]

Seems to be the old formulation and the new. Reading the reviews, the old formulation is golden. The new California compliant formulation is trash.

 

[jds holler]

I think you are on to sumpthin. It has long been known that it will loosen or dissolve ANY gunk in a carb. Sometimes turns aluminum black.

I've got a can of the stuff in my shop that I've never even opened yet. Might have to give it a try. jd

 

[Dusty Stevens]

That is some bad bad stuff. Buyer beware if youre around scopes, metal, wood, fiberglass, etc.

 

[Murray Brook]

@jds holler If you give it a try please post your results. TKS

 

[ballisticxlr]

What ever happened to 1,1,1-trichloroethane?

 

[Paddyd]

That is some bad bad stuff. Buyer beware if youre around scopes, metal, wood, fiberglass, etc.

Yes, best not to get it on your scopes or delicate finishes, but I'd say the same would apply to just about any bore solvent. I came to try this after soaking an old severely carboned Harley Shovelhead cylinder head. That thing had the worst baked on carbon, but an hour soaking in the stuff and about 2 minutes with an old toothbrush and I wiped it clean as new with a shop towel. That head was aluminum and no damage to it either. Just cleaned it up nicely. I'd caution anyone to be careful with scopes and lenses, blueing or any coatings though as I would hate to see a gun damaged. It won't harm the bore at all though. At least not if you use it like Hoppes 9

 

[Hopkins]

What ever happened to 1,1,1-trichloroethane?

Outlawed 20 years ago or so

 

[ballisticxlr]

Outlawed 20 years ago or so

Oh, I know. At the time I bought a case of an aerosol that had 1,1,1-trichlor as the first ingredient. Loved that stuff.

 

[bobm]

How are the fumes? Thinking using in basement might no go over well with my wife. Looks like gallon size only.

https://www.berrymanproducts.com/pr...rryman-chem-dip-carburetor-and-parts-cleaner/

 

[garandman]

Ever tried Bore Techs C4 carbon remover?

It's the best thing I found 4 carbon removal. Anyone able to compare the 2?

 

[Thud]

Try Ed’s Red. You can mix it yourself. Kills carbon also. Won’t destroy too much stuff

 

[Paddyd]

Try Ed’s Red. You can mix it yourself. Kills carbon also. Won’t destroy too much stuff

I've tried it, but not as easy.

 

[Thud]

Not everything is easy.

 

[moondog]

Again, CLR

 

[mike mccormick]

What ever happened to 1,1,1-trichloroethane?

It worked too well so they banned it

 

[Paddyd]

Not everything is easy.

True, but the whole point is to rid the barrel of carbon and avoid the wear and tear of scrubbing. Besides, I prefer easy over hard any day. I tried the Ed's Red, but unless I brushed it good it didn't do much.

 

[Thud]

I put a few patches down the barrel and let it sit for about 15-20 minutes the patch out. Use some brake cleaner to clean up and I'm done. it's not that hard.

 

[Pawnee Bill]

I need to see borescope pictures. I have tried a lot of stuff including C4 and my borescope still shows carbon. If the borescope shows its clean, its clean. Naked eye, or clean patch, not so much.