Should I use a degreaser made for guns or just use brake cleaner?chlorinated or non?

NYCOP · December 17, 2002, 03:12 PM

If brake cleaner is ok to use should I use chlorinated or non-chlorinated? I will use to remove built up oil and junk, spray it down the barrel to rinse it out, spray in the gas tube on the AR-15, I use the stuff on all of my shotguns rifles and pistols. Brake fluid is cheaper and easier to get around hear. Thanks alot

George Stringer · December 17, 2002, 03:24 PM

I use it occasionally for removing cosmoline. I've never seen it hurt a gun. George

Jim Watson · December 17, 2002, 03:31 PM

None of those automotive products will hurt metal. I doubt they will affect inorganic finishes like bluing, plating, or Parkerizing. Find an out of the way test spot on plastic or coatings.

However, they are all different blends of assorted solvents. Chlorinated vs nonchlorinated, flammable vs nonflammable, non-toxic vs as tough as they can sell over the counter. Read the label and take precautions. I use Berryman's Electric Motor Cleaner, which is nonflammable and supposedly low toxicity. But I still use it outside.

Devildog_1911 · May 20, 2004, 01:51 PM

I think no matter which break cleaner you use, the main thing is to reaply oil (which I'm sure you do) since break cleaner removes every last bit of oil and residue from metal...some even say that it has a drying out effect on the metal but I have also heard that's a "wives tale" Oil really well after its use, that's the main thing.

Clemson · May 21, 2004, 06:28 PM

Beware of getting brake cleaner on synthetic stocks, polymer handgun frames, or many finishes on wood stocks and grips.

I use the stuff occasionally to degunk a gun, but I don't use it routinely (It's too expensive for that.). I like the Brake-kleen brand, which seems to be the same stuff as Gunscrubber for about 1/3 the price.

Clemson

ccr · May 22, 2004, 08:44 AM

I use Chlorinated Brake Cleaner . The non Chlorinated seems to be water based and leaves the metal wet longer. If you have a Advance Auto Parts near you try there brand it works good and is only $1.99 a can

JNewell · May 24, 2004, 01:59 PM

I have no idea whether the following comes from independent testing by Brownells or is merely recycled hype from MPro 7, but fwiw it's part of a "Web Bench" article on the Brownells site:

Many shooters prefer brake or carburetor cleaner in place of more expensive, dedicated carbon cleaners. However, be aware that the chlorinated solvents in these products are not safe for all metals and can cause serious etching and pitting in the gunmetal.

larryw · May 24, 2004, 10:33 PM

Non chlorinated brake cleaner. Keep it away from paint and ABS, but fine for polymer like the frame on my HKs. Make sure to wear your eye protection when squirting it, failure to do so can be painful.

Non chlorinated because absorbed chlorene takes a long time to get out of the body and can have some harmful (fatal) interactions with OTC medications/dietary suppliments.

December 17, 2002, 03:12 PM	#1
NYCOP Member Join Date: October 23, 2002 Posts: 64	Should I use a degreaser made for guns or just use brake cleaner?chlorinated or non? If brake cleaner is ok to use should I use chlorinated or non-chlorinated? I will use to remove built up oil and junk, spray it down the barrel to rinse it out, spray in the gas tube on the AR-15, I use the stuff on all of my shotguns rifles and pistols. Brake fluid is cheaper and easier to get around hear. Thanks alot

May 21, 2004, 06:28 PM	#5
Clemson Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2001 Location: Greenwood, SC Posts: 880	Beware of getting brake cleaner on synthetic stocks, polymer handgun frames, or many finishes on wood stocks and grips. I use the stuff occasionally to degunk a gun, but I don't use it routinely (It's too expensive for that.). I like the Brake-kleen brand, which seems to be the same stuff as Gunscrubber for about 1/3 the price. Clemson __________________ NRA Endowment Member, NRA Certified Instructor CWP Holder US Army veteran Gunsmith www.boltandbarrel.com

May 22, 2004, 08:44 AM	#6
ccr Member Join Date: May 17, 2004 Location: Mountains of East TN Posts: 35	I use Chlorinated Brake Cleaner . The non Chlorinated seems to be water based and leaves the metal wet longer. If you have a Advance Auto Parts near you try there brand it works good and is only $1.99 a can __________________ Cummings Custom Refinishing Offers Quality Craftsmanship at Affordable Prices Fully Licenced FFL for over 20 years www.ccrrefinishing.com 423-639-8924

May 24, 2004, 01:59 PM	#7
JNewell Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2000 Posts: 1,092	I have no idea whether the following comes from independent testing by Brownells or is merely recycled hype from MPro 7, but fwiw it's part of a "Web Bench" article on the Brownells site: Many shooters prefer brake or carburetor cleaner in place of more expensive, dedicated carbon cleaners. However, be aware that the chlorinated solvents in these products are not safe for all metals and can cause serious etching and pitting in the gunmetal.

December 17, 2002, 03:24 PM	#2
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	I use it occasionally for removing cosmoline. I've never seen it hurt a gun. George

December 17, 2002, 03:31 PM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,170	None of those automotive products will hurt metal. I doubt they will affect inorganic finishes like bluing, plating, or Parkerizing. Find an out of the way test spot on plastic or coatings. However, they are all different blends of assorted solvents. Chlorinated vs nonchlorinated, flammable vs nonflammable, non-toxic vs as tough as they can sell over the counter. Read the label and take precautions. I use Berryman's Electric Motor Cleaner, which is nonflammable and supposedly low toxicity. But I still use it outside.

May 20, 2004, 01:51 PM	#4
Devildog_1911 Junior Member Join Date: May 20, 2004 Location: Ohio, USA Posts: 12	I think no matter which break cleaner you use, the main thing is to reaply oil (which I'm sure you do) since break cleaner removes every last bit of oil and residue from metal...some even say that it has a drying out effect on the metal but I have also heard that's a "wives tale" Oil really well after its use, that's the main thing.

May 24, 2004, 10:33 PM	#8
larryw Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2002 Posts: 336	Non chlorinated brake cleaner. Keep it away from paint and ABS, but fine for polymer like the frame on my HKs. Make sure to wear your eye protection when squirting it, failure to do so can be painful. Non chlorinated because absorbed chlorene takes a long time to get out of the body and can have some harmful (fatal) interactions with OTC medications/dietary suppliments.