Cleaning question?!?

hot chili powder · May 24, 2019, 07:46 PM

What do you all use to clean the carbon crud off the front of the cylinder, top of frame and around the forcing cone? I been using lead removing cloth but thought there may be something better, any suggestions? I hate that crud, especially on my stainless Vaquero.

ms6852 · May 24, 2019, 07:52 PM

Try using Scotch Brite green scrubbing pads. It works on all my stainless steel revolvers.

FITASC · May 24, 2019, 09:47 PM

Why use an abrasive? Wipe down with a solvent and call it good. Actual "crud" can be removed with dental picks.

burrhead · May 24, 2019, 10:03 PM

If Hoppes No.9 and an old toothbrush won't take it off it doesn't need to come off. No abrasives needed. That's especially true of the cylinder face; the burn marks just come back when you shoot it again so what's the point.

Driftwood Johnson · May 25, 2019, 12:45 AM

Howdy

I've said this a bazillion times. If you are trying to clean the carbon rings off the front of the cylinder of a revolver, you don't own enough revolvers.

No matter what you do, every time you fire the revolver, the rings will return. Once you own enough revolvers you will stop trying to clean off the carbon rings on the front of the cylinder, they don't hurt anything*

*Or, you could try shooting Black Powder through your revolvers. For some reason, I never get carbon rings on the front of the cylinders of my revolvers that I shoot with Black Powder.

Jack Ryan · May 25, 2019, 01:30 AM

Try a rubber pencil eraser.

Bill DeShivs · May 25, 2019, 03:02 AM

ALL of the above is fine for stainless guns.
However- if you have a blued gun, Lead Away, Scotchbrite, etc., will remove the bluing immediately.

KyJim · May 25, 2019, 09:32 AM

Quote:

If you are trying to clean the carbon rings off the front of the cylinder of a revolver, you don't own enough revolvers.

Truer words were never spoken. The only time I would bother, on a stainless steel revolver, is if I were going to sell it. I wouldn't try it on a blued revolver because, as Bill said, "[I]f you have a blued gun, Lead Away, Scotchbrite, etc., will remove the bluing immediately." I would just scrub with powder solvent and a nylon toothbrush.

JB60 · May 25, 2019, 12:05 PM

I use Hoppes 9 and bronze brush on my 686 but don't spend a lot of time on it. I do spend time cleaning behind the extractor and the charging holes .

Targa · May 25, 2019, 03:21 PM

I used a lead removing cloth a couple of times and it worked great. Ultimately, along with Driftwood’s and others thoughts, it really just didn’t make sense to fight that losing battle after every range session.

**JohnKSa** · May 25, 2019, 04:18 PM

Quote:

I've said this a bazillion times. If you are trying to clean the carbon rings off the front of the cylinder of a revolver, you don't own enough revolvers.

No matter what you do, every time you fire the revolver, the rings will return. Once you own enough revolvers you will stop trying to clean off the carbon rings on the front of the cylinder, they don't hurt anything*

Yup.

On a stainless revolver, use a nitro solvent with a brass/bronze toothbrush to clean the front of the cylinder and the frame around the forcing cone. Anything that doesn't come off in a few minutes of brushing can stay.

You're not doing yourself or the gun any favors by putting anymore work than that into it. No reason to use abrasives like lead-away cloths or similar approaches. Maybe if you're getting ready to sell the gun or take a picture of it and want it to look absolutely spotless--but cleaning it off between range trips is a waste of time and effort.

LineStretcher · May 25, 2019, 08:54 PM

BoreTech carbon remover and 0000 Steel wool makes them all shiny and new looking again. Works on blued guns too as long as you don't get crazy aggressive and let the BoreTech do the work.

Patdh · May 27, 2019, 09:04 AM

I agree that cleaning the cylinder face is not necessary. But if you want it clean, use a little Flitz polish and a brass brush. Carbon comes off easily.

lamarw · May 27, 2019, 11:06 AM

I accidentally found a little navy jelly on the tip of a Q-Tip takes it right off with stainless steel or nickel finish. Do not use on blued or some other finishes.

T. O'Heir · May 27, 2019, 11:51 AM

"...will remove the bluing immediately..." 0000 steel wool won't do that.
SS is comparatively soft stuff, but as mentioned you don't need anything special to clean it. Regular solvent and a brass/bronze brush will do. And it'll still be stained. SS is just like that.

Kreyzhorse · May 27, 2019, 03:01 PM

I use a Lead Away cloth, but honestly, I try not to sweat it. You shoot, those raccoon eyes always return.

Kreyzhorse · May 27, 2019, 03:03 PM

Lead Away cloths work on stainless, but honestly, I try not to sweat it.

You shoot, those raccoon eyes always come back.

hot chili powder · May 27, 2019, 07:10 PM

Ok, you have semi-convinced me, will try NOT to clean cylinder face after shooting. Guess I thought everyone did it that way, I may be nuts about clean guns........will change my ways if I can!!

**JohnKSa** · May 27, 2019, 07:57 PM

I cleaned them back to like new appearance for a lot of years and a lot of rounds. I finally realized it was only wasting my time--now it's a lot more fun to shoot knowing I'm not going to have to try to make the gun look brand new after every range trip.

I still clean the gun to remove fouling, but after some solvent and brushing, anything that doesn't come off the front of the cylinder stays.

BBarn · May 27, 2019, 08:07 PM

On stainless steel cylinders I use Bore Tech C4 Carbon Remover, or Brownell's D'Solve diluted 5 parts water to 1 part D'Solve. Both seem to work, but the diluted D'Solve seems to work better/faster for me. Those products do most of the work and don't require as much scrubbing or abrasives.

I have not tried either product on Blued, Nickel, or Anodized Aluminum parts so I would check with the manufacturer before using those products on those finishes/materials (they may damage those finishes if used on them).

Carriertxv · May 27, 2019, 08:36 PM

I’m sure I have used every chemical or mechanical means known to man to clean the “ring” from my stainless revolvers. I now live with the “ring” and life is so much better now.

rclark · May 28, 2019, 01:29 PM

Quote:

...will try NOT to clean cylinder face after shooting.

Oh, I'd wipe it down with a wet patch, then a dry patch.... But what doesn't come off stays. Doesn't hurt a thing.

gwpercle · May 28, 2019, 02:30 PM

Ed's Red Bore Cleaner and a stiff toothbrush .

Ed's Red is mix it up yourself bore cleaner , get the 4 ingredients at wally mart , under $20.00 will get you a gallon of bore solvent that works.
Just do a search for the recipe and don't use synthetic ATF , some brands will not mix with the other ingredients .

Gary

bn12gg · May 30, 2019, 05:53 PM

#9, Q-tips and wooden tooth picks. Sometimes I recycle new ones (tooth picks)I'm done with post dinner into a revolver cleaning activity. Ha !

.02. David.

Geezerbiker · May 30, 2019, 06:41 PM

I consider the discoloring rings on the front of the cylinder a sign of a revolver worth shooting... BTW, have you tried Ed's Red home mix bore cleaner solution. It's amazing and cheap...

Tony

May 24, 2019, 07:46 PM	#1
hot chili powder Member Join Date: October 16, 2014 Location: Green Bay ( Titletown) WI Posts: 27	Cleaning question?!? What do you all use to clean the carbon crud off the front of the cylinder, top of frame and around the forcing cone? I been using lead removing cloth but thought there may be something better, any suggestions? I hate that crud, especially on my stainless Vaquero.

May 24, 2019, 07:52 PM	#2
ms6852 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,394	Try using Scotch Brite green scrubbing pads. It works on all my stainless steel revolvers. __________________ ONLY TWO DEFINING FORCES HAVE GIVEN UP THEIR LIVES FOR YOU. ONE IS JESUS CHRIST FOR YOUR SOUL AND THE OTHER IS THE AMERICAN SOLDIER FOR YOUR FREEDOM.

May 24, 2019, 09:47 PM	#3
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,446	Why use an abrasive? Wipe down with a solvent and call it good. Actual "crud" can be removed with dental picks. __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

May 24, 2019, 10:03 PM	#4
burrhead Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 1999 Location: Chihuahuan desert, Texas Posts: 1,148	If Hoppes No.9 and an old toothbrush won't take it off it doesn't need to come off. No abrasives needed. That's especially true of the cylinder face; the burn marks just come back when you shoot it again so what's the point. __________________ Join the GOA, SAF and the TSRA I'm offended by people that are easily offended.

May 25, 2019, 01:30 AM	#6
Jack Ryan Member Join Date: November 9, 2009 Posts: 61	Try a rubber pencil eraser. __________________ Free men own guns. Slaves don't.

May 25, 2019, 12:45 AM	#5
Driftwood Johnson Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2014 Location: Land of the Pilgrims Posts: 2,033	Howdy I've said this a bazillion times. If you are trying to clean the carbon rings off the front of the cylinder of a revolver, you don't own enough revolvers. No matter what you do, every time you fire the revolver, the rings will return. Once you own enough revolvers you will stop trying to clean off the carbon rings on the front of the cylinder, they don't hurt anything* *Or, you could try shooting Black Powder through your revolvers. For some reason, I never get carbon rings on the front of the cylinders of my revolvers that I shoot with Black Powder.

May 25, 2019, 03:02 AM	#7
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,986	ALL of the above is fine for stainless guns. However- if you have a blued gun, Lead Away, Scotchbrite, etc., will remove the bluing immediately. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

May 25, 2019, 12:05 PM	#9
JB60 Member Join Date: December 14, 2016 Location: Alabama Posts: 53	I use Hoppes 9 and bronze brush on my 686 but don't spend a lot of time on it. I do spend time cleaning behind the extractor and the charging holes .

May 25, 2019, 03:21 PM	#10
Targa Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Posts: 2,084	I used a lead removing cloth a couple of times and it worked great. Ultimately, along with Driftwood’s and others thoughts, it really just didn’t make sense to fight that losing battle after every range session.

May 25, 2019, 08:54 PM	#12
LineStretcher Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2018 Posts: 619	BoreTech carbon remover and 0000 Steel wool makes them all shiny and new looking again. Works on blued guns too as long as you don't get crazy aggressive and let the BoreTech do the work.

May 27, 2019, 09:04 AM	#13
Patdh Junior Member Join Date: July 25, 2017 Posts: 1	Revolver cleaning I agree that cleaning the cylinder face is not necessary. But if you want it clean, use a little Flitz polish and a brass brush. Carbon comes off easily.

May 27, 2019, 11:06 AM	#14
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	I accidentally found a little navy jelly on the tip of a Q-Tip takes it right off with stainless steel or nickel finish. Do not use on blued or some other finishes.

May 27, 2019, 11:51 AM	#15
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...will remove the bluing immediately..." 0000 steel wool won't do that. SS is comparatively soft stuff, but as mentioned you don't need anything special to clean it. Regular solvent and a brass/bronze brush will do. And it'll still be stained. SS is just like that. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

May 27, 2019, 03:01 PM	#16
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	I use a Lead Away cloth, but honestly, I try not to sweat it. You shoot, those raccoon eyes always return. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

May 27, 2019, 03:03 PM	#17
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	Lead Away cloths work on stainless, but honestly, I try not to sweat it. You shoot, those raccoon eyes always come back. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

May 27, 2019, 07:10 PM	#18
hot chili powder Member Join Date: October 16, 2014 Location: Green Bay ( Titletown) WI Posts: 27	Will be tuff, but I'll try Ok, you have semi-convinced me, will try NOT to clean cylinder face after shooting. Guess I thought everyone did it that way, I may be nuts about clean guns........will change my ways if I can!!

May 27, 2019, 07:57 PM	#19
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,993	I cleaned them back to like new appearance for a lot of years and a lot of rounds. I finally realized it was only wasting my time--now it's a lot more fun to shoot knowing I'm not going to have to try to make the gun look brand new after every range trip. I still clean the gun to remove fouling, but after some solvent and brushing, anything that doesn't come off the front of the cylinder stays. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

May 27, 2019, 08:07 PM	#20
BBarn Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2015 Posts: 887	On stainless steel cylinders I use Bore Tech C4 Carbon Remover, or Brownell's D'Solve diluted 5 parts water to 1 part D'Solve. Both seem to work, but the diluted D'Solve seems to work better/faster for me. Those products do most of the work and don't require as much scrubbing or abrasives. I have not tried either product on Blued, Nickel, or Anodized Aluminum parts so I would check with the manufacturer before using those products on those finishes/materials (they may damage those finishes if used on them).

May 27, 2019, 08:36 PM	#21
Carriertxv Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2013 Posts: 268	I’m sure I have used every chemical or mechanical means known to man to clean the “ring” from my stainless revolvers. I now live with the “ring” and life is so much better now.

May 28, 2019, 02:30 PM	#23
gwpercle Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 1,752	Ed's Red Bore Cleaner and a stiff toothbrush . Ed's Red is mix it up yourself bore cleaner , get the 4 ingredients at wally mart , under $20.00 will get you a gallon of bore solvent that works. Just do a search for the recipe and don't use synthetic ATF , some brands will not mix with the other ingredients . Gary

May 30, 2019, 05:53 PM	#24
bn12gg Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2011 Location: Winter Park, Florida Posts: 470	#9, Q-tips and wooden tooth picks. Sometimes I recycle new ones (tooth picks)I'm done with post dinner into a revolver cleaning activity. Ha ! .02. David.

May 30, 2019, 06:41 PM	#25
Geezerbiker Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Location: Willamina, OR Posts: 1,908	I consider the discoloring rings on the front of the cylinder a sign of a revolver worth shooting... BTW, have you tried Ed's Red home mix bore cleaner solution. It's amazing and cheap... Tony