I have a feeling this is a thread that will hang around forever. Because it shows, that yes, you DO indeed need to clean your centerfire suppressor. Not just your takedown 22 cans.
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People keep saying CLR. Do they mean calcium lime rust, or CLP?
^^What he said.^^ The actual household CLR (calcium lime rust) liquid.The household CLR
^^What he said.^^ The actual household CLR (calcium lime rust) liquid.
That’s why I use the ultrasonic cleaner. A few times in the US with Simple Green afterwards works really well to finish the job on my sealed can....
I can see using CLR in a sealed can, and it would be easy to wipe the blast and exit baffles, but how would you get to the pasty grime on the interior baffles?
For those folks that are using CLR to clean their suppressors; what ratio of water do you use with the mixture?
Do you use the CLR full strength, equal amount with water or another ratio?
That’s a good question and one that I cannot answer, because I’m not a chemist. I can tell you that the “dip” is hydrogen peroxide and vinegar and is specifically used to dissolve lead, especially in rimfire cans. CLR is another acid altogether and I am not sure that it dissolves lead. Most of the buildup in center fire cans is carbon and not lead.Why is lead dissolved in CLR any safer to dispose of than lead dissolved in the "dip"?
That’s why I use the ultrasonic cleaner. A few times in the US with Simple Green afterwards works really well to finish the job on my sealed can.
I run it in the US for a couple cycles, let it set for a bit, then shake it up really well with the can about 3/4 full of simple green. A few cycles of that and everything looks clean inside.
Why is lead dissolved in CLR any safer to dispose of than lead dissolved in the "dip"?
I think this was already discussed earlier in this thread. However, I’ll regurgitate what I know and what I remember was said:The US doesn't hurt the suppressor's finish?
Harbor freight ultra sonic with CLR cleaned my OSS Rad 22 baffles like new. but I dont think ill clean my center fire Omega.... I'll just keep firing it till it fails....
That’s why I use the ultrasonic cleaner. A few times in the US with Simple Green afterwards works really well to finish the job on my sealed can.
I run it in the US for a couple cycles, let it set for a bit, then shake it up really well with the can about 3/4 full of simple green. A few cycles of that and everything looks clean inside.
Full strength.
That’s a good question and one that I cannot answer, because I’m not a chemist. I can tell you that the “dip” is hydrogen peroxide and vinegar and is specifically used to dissolve lead, especially in rimfire cans. CLR is another acid altogether and I am not sure that it dissolves lead. Most of the buildup in center fire cans is carbon and not lead.
Water | Dilutent: CAS #7732-18-5 |
| + MORE DETAILS |
Dilutent: CAS #7732-18-5. Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a water treatment process that removes contaminants from water by passing the water through a membrane, (filter), where contaminants are filtered out yielding more pure quality water. | |||
Lactic Acid | Chelating Agent: CAS #79-33-4. | + MORE DETAILS | |
Chelating Agent: CAS #79-33-4. Lactic acid is found in many yogurts and cheeses. It is also produced in the muscles during intense activity. Commercially, it is produced by fermentation of simple sugars. In cleaning producs it functions as a chelating agent; a compound that makes metals more soluble in water. As part of the EPA Safer Choice Program, it has been evaluated and determined to be safer than traditional chemical ingredients | |||
Lauramine Oxide | Surfactant: CAS #1643-20-5. | + MORE DETAILS | |
Surfactant: CAS #1643-20-5. Used in cleaners to modify the surface tension of water, to aid in even spreading and to allow mixing with oil and dirt so that they can be rinsed away; it is included in many soaps, detergents, and several groups of antiseptics. As part of the EPA Safer Choice Program, it has been evaluated and determined to be safer than traditional chemical ingredients. | |||
Gluconic Acid | Chelating Agent: CAS #526-95-4. | + MORE DETAILS | |
Chelating Agent: CAS #526-95-4. This ingredient is an acid formed from the sugar glucose, which naturally occurs in fruit, honey and wine. It is a chelating agent; a compound that makes metals more soluble in water. As part of the EPA Safer Choice Program, it has been evaluated and determined to be safer than traditional chemical ingredients. | |||
Tripropylene Glycol n-Butyl Ether | Solvent: CAS #55934-93-5. | + MORE DETAILS | |
Solvent: CAS #55934-93-5. Used to slow down the evaporation of many liquid products including oven cleaners and inks for ball-point and felt-tip pens. It is very effective at absorbing organic material. As part of the EPA Safer Choice Program, it has been evaluated and determined to be safer than traditional chemical ingredients. California CPRKA Designated Lists (12) US NTP Reproductive or Developmental Toxicants. https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/publications/monographs/index.html (16) California NLs. https://oehha.ca.gov/water/notification-levels-chemicals-drinking-water (18) California TACs. https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/toxics/id/taclist.htm (20) California Non-Cancer Hazards. https://oehha.ca.gov/air/general-in...-chronic-reference-exposure-level-rel-summary | |||
Yellow No. 5 | Colorent: CAS #1934-21-0. | + MORE DETAILS | |
Colorent: CAS #1934-21-0. A synthetic lemon yellow dye used all over the world, primarily as food coloring. As part of the EPA Safer Choice Program, it has been evaluated and determined to be safer than traditional chemical ingredients. | |||
Acid Blue No.1 | Colorent: CAS #3844-45-9. | + MORE DETAILS | |
Colorent: CAS #3844-45-9. A blue dye used for foods and other substances. As part of the EPA Safer Choice Program, it has been evaluated and determined to be safer than traditional chemical ingredients. |
I know this is old but playing devil's advocate here, how would the EPA know?It should be said that this mixture creates Lead Acetate, which is very toxic. Do NOT dump that shit down the drain unless you want a visit from the EPA.
BTW, I do use the DIP solution on my Sparrow and if you pour it out in a large pan in the sun it will evaporate.
regardless of the EPA or not, its a shitty thing to do.I know this is old but playing devil's advocate here, how would the EPA know?
I know this is old but playing devil's advocate here, how would the EPA know?
This. Whether you are on a municipal water system or a well, it’s a really shitty thing to do. You are literally poising the water system. It’s just not a good idea.regardless of the EPA or not, its a shitty thing to do.
Stays in the pan. It's not like a clean a suppressor every week. I maybe clean the Sparrow 8-12 times a year. Thinking about, I need to clean it now.What do you do with the solid residue afterwards?
Thanks, I mean it works and works well with minimal mechanical cleaning. If a person doesn't feel comfortable then don't use this method. I have reduced the amount I use compared to when I first started.Good information.
Thanks, I mean it works and works well with minimal mechanical cleaning. If a person doesn't feel comfortable then don't use this method. I have reduced the amount I use compared to when I first started.
View attachment 7313193
Sitting overnight it will take my Sparrow from this...
View attachment 7313196
to this. Keep in mind that I did knock off all the heavy deposits from the photo above.
View attachment 7313197
I clean mine every 6 months with CLR.I sent an Ultra 7 to TBAC to remove the insert to go from direct thread to CB mount. When I weighed the box I thought to myself "that's pretty heavy". I got a call from them the day they received it and they said it should be cleaned asit was nearly 4 oz. heavy. I've never cleaned it and have, maybe, 2000 rounds down it. It's probably more like 1200. No H1000 which was the first question asked of me. In any case, they said it might take a few weeks to get it thoroughly cleaned. Luckily, I don't need it for a while.
The rest of my cans can all be taken apart so I decided to clean them, too. I was easily able to take apart the two rimfire ones but the other two center fire (Lane) are a bugger. I've got them soaking in CLR now.
I searched around the net and I see lots of people saying you don't need to clean a centerfire can. Then, there are others that do regularly. Just curious what you folks here are doing. Are you regularly cleaning your centerfire cans?
Vinegar on its own is great for cleaning coffee pots and hard water stains on glassware, but not so much for cleaning carbon out of suppressors.
Any update on BoreTech’s suppressor cleaner they were looking at releasing in April before the ‘rona done messed everything up?
Note: this post concerns mainly rimfire use (lead) and safety.
I sent an Ultra 7 to TBAC to remove the insert to go from direct thread to CB mount. When I weighed the box I thought to myself "that's pretty heavy". I got a call from them the day they received it and they said it should be cleaned asit was nearly 4 oz. heavy. I've never cleaned it and have, maybe, 2000 rounds down it. It's probably more like 1200. No H1000 which was the first question asked of me. In any case, they said it might take a few weeks to get it thoroughly cleaned. Luckily, I don't need it for a while.
The rest of my cans can all be taken apart so I decided to clean them, too. I was easily able to take apart the two rimfire ones but the other two center fire (Lane) are a bugger. I've got them soaking in CLR now.
I searched around the net and I see lots of people saying you don't need to clean a centerfire can. Then, there are others that do regularly. Just curious what you folks here are doing. Are you regularly cleaning your centerfire cans?
Okay, I have to clear a couple things in your post up for other readers. First off, this thread was started to specifically address centerfire cans only. Most centerfire cans do not build up much lead at all since the majority of projectiles used in centerfire (for long range precision rifles) are jacketed. The primary buildup issue in centerfire cans is hard carbon deposits.Note: this post concerns mainly rimfire use (lead) and safety.
I own the same can as you, and shoot rimfire and centerfire through it. What does just vinegar + lead make? My google-fu is weak on this one.
I know the DIP (hydrogen peroxide + vinegar + lead) produces lead acetate, which readily absorbs right through your skin and lungs, and even through some glove materials (I forget which ones).
On another note lash says above that CLR is phosphoric acid. What does phosphoric acid + lead produce? Being a non-chemist, google suggests: Lead + Phosphoric Acid = Dihydrogen + Lead(II) Phosphate
Lead phosphate seems to be not good for you, especially through the air if heated.
Of course, raw lead is not good for you either, but It’s a matter of safe handling. A chunk of lead has a much harder time entering one’s body than airborne lead or lead in liquid. Unless that lead hits you at a decent FPS
Recently I tried soaking it in CLR for about a week and it did remove roughly an ounce of carbon from the can but there's still a 6-7oz in there. I was looking into a pump setup maybe to force a continual flow of CLR through the can and just let it sit for a month in a couple gallons of the stuff.
As I posted earlier, I’ve had good success with one initial overnite soaking in CLR, followed by a few sessions of alternating ultrasonic cleaning and soaking in simple green. Using Simple green full strength in the US cleaner. The ultrasonic cleaner helps by breaking up the softened chunks and particles of carbon. About a week of this and there’s nothing left.I got on a trust with some family members and we purchased 2x SRT 9" .30 cal cans at the same time. I have used mine for over 10,000 rounds and I'd be surprised if the other one has more than 500 through it. They weigh 7.8 oz different (mine heavier). I used to take it apart (not supposed to be able to but I made a tool) every 500 rounds to clean it but around 5-6k rounds ago I let it go long enough I couldn't disassemble it (carbon locked) and decided just to leave it alone.
Recently I tried soaking it in CLR for about a week and it did remove roughly an ounce of carbon from the can but there's still a 6-7oz in there. I was looking into a pump setup maybe to force a continual flow of CLR through the can and just let it sit for a month in a couple gallons of the stuff.
If you want to do a pump system, then I imagine a PC watercooling or fish tank pump with a very large reservoir of CLR. A Tupperware container with the lid, cut some holes in the lid, one for a tight fit to hold the can on its end as the return then another for tubing to feed the pump. A stainless fitting for the can could be an issue. Then just let it run until forever.
You could get fancy and do a whole second container that it would draw cleaner solution from while the can deposits into the first with the sediment and debris.
Not sure I would try and make a sealed system. If this creates any gasses and pops a line you could wind up with a giant mess.
I emailed BoreTech, and specifically asked if the C4 was safe for Inconel (the baffles in my YHM 3300-Ti3 are heat treated 718 Inconel), and I received a response that it is. He also said quote "Check us out later this year as we actually have a suppressor cleaning system coming out that has specifically formulated cleaners and devisces to make cleaning suppressors super easy and effective."Thanks for putting this up. Its obvious from your test that the C4 is the best cleaner. The question is, is it safe to use on the Omega? I saw in a previous post you were going to use the boretech on your omega, but Silencerco only recommended Hoppes and Mineral Spirits. Based on my soak in mineral spirits for 2+ days and your observations with Hoppes, Silencerco's recommendation is useless. What now, just accept the risk and try the C4?
The YHM manual also says to use a mix of mineral spirits and transmission fluid (not kidding). Thank God I read this thread.Thanks for putting this up. Its obvious from your test that the C4 is the best cleaner. The question is, is it safe to use on the Omega? I saw in a previous post you were going to use the boretech on your omega, but Silencerco only recommended Hoppes and Mineral Spirits. Based on my soak in mineral spirits for 2+ days and your observations with Hoppes, Silencerco's recommendation is useless. What now, just accept the risk and try the C4?
For my Omega, the C4 did a great job of losening the carbon, but not getting it out. I had to use a pick or brush to get it out. The ultrasonic though, the carbon came out in the solution and deposited itself at the bottom of the jar. As long as you don't mind your suppressor sleeve potentially unscrewing, I would do both.