Suppressor Cleaning

VUPDblue · May 21, 2006, 08:30 PM

Anyone use anything other than WD-40 to clean a suppressor that is not able to be disassembled? I have had good luck with WD but there has to be something that is more effective. Hoppes #9 maybe?

MDW Guns · May 22, 2006, 09:33 AM

I don't know what suppressor you have, but generally, you don't need to clean them at all.

quack fiend · May 22, 2006, 12:56 PM

once about every 5,000-10,000 rds. is recommended to get the built-up lead out, or eventually the suppressor will become non-functional from being clogged up--it's why i bought a tac67 with the removable end-caps, i just removed it after the first 1,500 rds. to check and the build-up was impressive--the baffles had to be hammered out with a wooden dowel to break them free from the crud, i think i won't be waiting for 5,000 rds.--as far as one that can't be disassembled you need to soak it in something that dissolves lead fouling but of course not your suppressor materials, someone else may know for sure

Zak Smith · May 22, 2006, 03:05 PM

Recommend using an ultrasonic cleaner

VUPDblue · May 22, 2006, 08:25 PM

Quote:

I don't know what suppressor you have, but generally, you don't need to clean them at all.

Quote:

Recommend using an ultrasonic cleaner

The suppressor in question here is a Gemtech Outback II. Gemtech reccommends cleaning after every 500 rounds or so. I have been cleaning after 500-1000 and it obviously needs it each time. Gemtech also advises against an ultrasonic cleaner as it will void their warranty. Water based chemicals are out as they ruin aluminum. Gemtech also suggests a mix of mineral spirits and Automatic Transmission Fluid (3:1) but this seems a little messy to me. I tried contacting them via email, but those went unanswered, that is why I have posted the question here. I just wanted to know what other suppressor owners use.

Bill DeShivs · May 22, 2006, 08:35 PM

Spray brake parts cleaner is very good at breaking down firing residue. If you get a gallon can of carburetor cleaner, and soak it for an hour or so, then blow it out with the brake parts cleaner, it should be as clean as you can get it.
Bill

VUPDblue · May 22, 2006, 08:54 PM

sounds like you may be on to something with that. I will have to give it a try. Have to go out and put 500 through it first though, dammit...

Bill DeShivs · May 22, 2006, 09:52 PM

Be sure to wear safety goggles when spraying the brake cleaner!
Bill

quack fiend · May 23, 2006, 11:05 AM

so brake cleaner will actually dissolve the lead build-up?

dtarbox · May 23, 2006, 02:12 PM

I use a mixture of 50% mineral spirits and 50% transmission fluid.

shaggy · May 23, 2006, 06:44 PM

I'd look for non-chlorinated brake or carb cleaner. I'm no chemist, but I've heard the chlorinated types can damage aluminum over time. I do use the stuff and it does work well, but I never use it on anything aluminum. Probably the best thing to do, however, is call Gem-Tech and speak directly to Doc Dater or Kel to get their advice on the best types of cleaning fluid for that Outback.

VUPDblue · May 23, 2006, 08:40 PM

Thanks,

I finally got a response from Doc about cleaning. He assured me that the WD or the Mineral Spirits and ATF are the best cleaning agents. Since they state this in the manual, I thought I would just venture out and see if anyone had any 'secret recipes'. I'll probably just stick to the WD.

May 21, 2006, 08:30 PM	#1
VUPDblue Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2005 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 1,981	Suppressor Cleaning Anyone use anything other than WD-40 to clean a suppressor that is not able to be disassembled? I have had good luck with WD but there has to be something that is more effective. Hoppes #9 maybe? __________________ Silencers have NEVER been illegal !

May 22, 2006, 09:33 AM	#2
MDW Guns Member Join Date: January 31, 2006 Location: Maine USA Posts: 86	I don't know what suppressor you have, but generally, you don't need to clean them at all. __________________ ARMED MEN ARE CITIZENS UNARMED MEN ARE SUBJECTS NRA, FWR 2711 Check www.mdwguns.com for great deals!

May 22, 2006, 03:05 PM	#4
Zak Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 1999 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado, USA Posts: 2,682	Recommend using an ultrasonic cleaner __________________ Zak Smith . DEMIGOD LLC . THUNDER BEAST ARMS CORP . COLORADO MULTI-GUN *My PM inbox full? Send e-mail instead.*

May 22, 2006, 08:54 PM	#7
VUPDblue Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2005 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 1,981	sounds like you may be on to something with that. I will have to give it a try. Have to go out and put 500 through it first though, dammit... __________________ Silencers have NEVER been illegal !

May 23, 2006, 06:44 PM	#11
shaggy Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2004 Posts: 1,519	VUPDBlue I'd look for non-chlorinated brake or carb cleaner. I'm no chemist, but I've heard the chlorinated types can damage aluminum over time. I do use the stuff and it does work well, but I never use it on anything aluminum. Probably the best thing to do, however, is call Gem-Tech and speak directly to Doc Dater or Kel to get their advice on the best types of cleaning fluid for that Outback.

May 22, 2006, 12:56 PM	#3
quack fiend Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2005 Location: liberty, ms Posts: 268	once about every 5,000-10,000 rds. is recommended to get the built-up lead out, or eventually the suppressor will become non-functional from being clogged up--it's why i bought a tac67 with the removable end-caps, i just removed it after the first 1,500 rds. to check and the build-up was impressive--the baffles had to be hammered out with a wooden dowel to break them free from the crud, i think i won't be waiting for 5,000 rds.--as far as one that can't be disassembled you need to soak it in something that dissolves lead fouling but of course not your suppressor materials, someone else may know for sure

May 22, 2006, 08:35 PM	#6
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,984	Spray brake parts cleaner is very good at breaking down firing residue. If you get a gallon can of carburetor cleaner, and soak it for an hour or so, then blow it out with the brake parts cleaner, it should be as clean as you can get it. Bill

May 22, 2006, 09:52 PM	#8
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,984	Be sure to wear safety goggles when spraying the brake cleaner! Bill

May 23, 2006, 11:05 AM	#9
quack fiend Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2005 Location: liberty, ms Posts: 268	so brake cleaner will actually dissolve the lead build-up?

May 23, 2006, 02:12 PM	#10
dtarbox Member Join Date: July 1, 2005 Posts: 15	I use a mixture of 50% mineral spirits and 50% transmission fluid.

May 23, 2006, 08:40 PM	#12
VUPDblue Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2005 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 1,981	Thanks, I finally got a response from Doc about cleaning. He assured me that the WD or the Mineral Spirits and ATF are the best cleaning agents. Since they state this in the manual, I thought I would just venture out and see if anyone had any 'secret recipes'. I'll probably just stick to the WD. __________________ Silencers have NEVER been illegal !