CLR for brake cleaner?

[MarinePMI]

Is anyone using CLR to clean their muzzle brake? If so, does it affect the finish? I have an APA LB, and was considering using this method if it does not screw with the finish.

Any info would be appreciated....

 

[BurnOut]

Yes, and no.

Yes, it works, and it works well. No, it hasn't messed up the finish (at least on SiCo and SAS brakes).

 

[MarinePMI]

Thanks for the input, it's appreciated.

 

[Wannabeinotc]

I just recently found out about it this last year and it works great. But my brake is stainless so can't comment about finish

 

[nfoley]

It works well, used on my APA LB.

It definitely messes with the finish. Mine is now a weird copper color. But I am not concerned with how it looks.

 

[EXTREMEPREJUDICE]

Funny you mention this as I just tried it for the first time this weekend just by accident and like the results, cleaned the carbon off and easier on the finish than the brass brush. I think it's going to be a winner!

 

[motofrog]

I use my cheap little Hornady ultrasonic tank, works great on my gen 2 little bastard.
About the only action it gets now that I’ve gone to wet tumbling with ss pins for brass.

Is anyone using CLR to clean their muzzle brake? If so, does it affect the finish? I have an APA LB, and was considering using this method if it does not screw with the finish.

Any info would be appreciated....

 

[icu812]

Try a 50/50 mix of White Vinegar and Peroxide. Then throw away 5 or 6 bottles of crap you've bought over the years because it dosent work half as good.

 

[B-P-UU]

works great, but 100% solution will definitely discolor cerekote. I haven't tried cutting it with another liquid like some have mentioned.

 

[MarinePMI]

Try a 50/50 mix of White Vinegar and Peroxide. Then throw away 5 or 6 bottles of crap you've bought over the years because it dosent work half as good.

Interesting. I'll give that a try as well.

 

[Timetoshoot]

CLR works well on carbon. If neutralised by flushing with water then light oil, no problems. I stupidly left a a droplet on top of barrel for a few minutes. It blemished the parkerized finish. I now only apply it with a Q Tip swab where I want it and clean any drops with H2O. Quickest brake cleanup after heavy use (223 1.200 rounds). is diluted simple green in ultrasonic followed by CLR and brass brush /brass scraper. 10 minutes from caked to pristine.

 

[Clearlight]

Works for me , and less finish damage than the carburettor cleaner I used to use .
As mentioned above , keep it away from painted surfaces and clean it off properly .

 

[Afkirby]

Interesting. I'll give that a try as well.

Peroxide and vinegar works great for dissolving lead, but it also makes Aqueous lead acetate in the process. It’s a nasty chemical that can give you lead poisoning so take precautions and dispose of the byproducts responsibly. It’s commonly referred to as “the dip” in the suppressor community due to the effectiveness of removing lead.

 

[Raptorman2014]

I use a stainless tumbler.

 

[PDXGS]

Ultrasonic tank from Harbor Freight...a little white vinegar, hot water and Dawn.

 

[mdmp5]

Peroxide and vinegar works great for dissolving lead, but it also makes Aqueous lead acetate in the process. It’s a nasty chemical that can give you lead poisoning so take precautions and dispose of the byproducts responsibly. It’s commonly referred to as “the dip” in the suppressor community due to the effectiveness of removing lead.

Yes but how much lead is on a brake?

 

[Afkirby]

Yes but how much lead is on a brake?

Probably not a ton, but it’s still something to be aware of.

 

[mdmp5]

I soaked my TBAC 22L-1 in vinegar and peroxide overnight, and you had to see the amount of junk that came out of this thing. I had it in a glass container, and the liquid turned blue first. Then at the bottom of the container was quite a bit of lead. Probably close to an ounce if I had to guess

 

[MarinePMI]

I did my APA LB this past weekend in CLR. It worked, but I kept an eye out for the finish turning color and pulled it as soon as I saw it (say maybe 5 mins) and immediately ran it under hot water to rinse the CLR off. Most of the carbon was gone, and what did remain could be easily removed with the end of a wooden q-tip. The carbon crumbled off like charcoal. From there, what little was left (mostly in the pits of the third baffle caused by gas erosion) was taken off by letting it sit for about an hour in Hoppes #9. It only changed color slightly (now just hair of shade lighter in color).

 

[linedrive301ft]

MarinePMI,

Try a 50/50 mix of CLR and water. I let mine soak for 30 min. and came out fine. The stuff just flaked off.

 

[Afkirby]

I soaked my TBAC 22L-1 in vinegar and peroxide overnight, and you had to see the amount of junk that came out of this thing. I had it in a glass container, and the liquid turned blue first. Then at the bottom of the container was quite a bit of lead. Probably close to an ounce if I had to guess

There’s probably a lot of dissolved lead in that solution, just be careful not to touch it with bare skin. Also dispose of it at a place that can deal with hazardous materials.

 

[mdmp5]

Yes, I meant to include that in my text to validate your previous post. Lead acetate can soak thru your skin much easier than handling elemental lead. I fished out the suppressor with hemostats and rinsed it in water really good before I touched it.

 

[tnbowhunter]

I’ve heard several people say soaking in a mixture of water and Lemi shine household cleaner works good for cleaning muzzle brakes. I haven’t personally tried it but plan to...