What solvent for my parts cleaner?

[Tim K]

I have a cheapo recirculating solvent parts cleaner. I've used it over the years for motorcycle and bicycle parts. I tried it once years ago on handgun parts, and it did a nice job. I'm thinking of cleaning it out and dedicating it to gun cleaning.

I've always used kerosene as the solvent. Is there something better for guns? In particular, I'm thinking it might be good for getting all the crud out of my AR's when running a suppressor. If it made any sense, I could dunk the suppressor, too.

[cysoto]

I don't know how well it would work in a recirculation system but, in the past, I have used Simple Green to remove carbon deposits with very good results.

[BPTactical]

Mineral spirits, not as flammable as kerosene and not as stinky. Maybe a touch of atf thrown in for detergent purposes.
I rigged up a diesel fuel filter on a selector valve and run it for an hour or so every week, solvent lasts much longer.

[Tim K]

Mineral spirits, not as flammable as kerosene and not as stinky. Maybe a touch of atf thrown in for detergent purposes.
I rigged up a diesel fuel filter on a selector valve and run it for an hour or so every week, solvent lasts much longer.

How's it do cutting powder residue? Sounds like a great idea.

[rondog]

I've always used stoddard solvent in parts washers, but it's hard to find these days and expensive as hell. Only places you'll find it are petroleum product distributors, and the only one I've found is Siegel Oil Company on Zuni St. in Englewood. Don't know if they still have it though. Some will say it's the same thing as mineral spirits but I don't believe it. It's been used for cleaning parts ever since cars, airplanes and motorcycles were invented.

[Troublco]

Stoddard solvent is dry cleaning fluid (Old Air Force guys know it as P-D-680), and it isn't the same thing as mineral spirits. I haven't seen this stuff in years. I'd be kind of careful about Simple Green on gun parts; at least depending on what kind you use - the original is known to be corrosive to at least some metals. They had to stop using it on aircraft and aircraft parts for that reason, so I'd think twice about using it on my guns, especially AR's as they use aircraft-grade aluminum alloys. I think I'd stick with mineral spirits with the ATF chaser like Bert mentioned.

[BPTactical]

How's it do cutting powder residue? Sounds like a great idea.

It does pretty well, soak time helps.

[newracer]

Simple Green will attack aluminum if not rinsed well.

[TFOGGER]

Cleanparts services my parts washer with purpose formulated solvent for around $130. Basically, they show up with a 30 gallon drum about half full of new solvent, pull the solvent sink off of the old one, replace the pickup sock filter, cap off the old dirty solvent drum, and roll it out to their truck. I have 'em do it twice a year. The solvent cuts oil, grease, and carbon pretty well, less effective on mud or fuel residue.

[BPTactical]

That's not a bad price. The last time I changed all my solvents out it was about 125.00 (20 gallons).
I checked into it but SafetyKleen and some other place refused to service a residential address.

[ray1970]

Benzene.

[Coffee]

[def90]

I don't know how well it would work in a recirculation system but, in the past, I have used Simple Green to remove carbon deposits with very good results.

During the construction downturn i was working part time for friend and a company that was building prototype stirling engines for energy production. We used simple green as a parts cleaner for our machined parts until we found through trial and error that it leaves residue on the surface of the cleaned parts. It works great as a cleaner but we had to follow it up with an alcohol bath to completely clean the parts for assembly.

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[Tim K]

I bought the mineral spirits today. Just to clarify, Bert, you're suggesting adding Automatic Transmission Fluid to it, correct? Any clue how much per gallon of mineral spirits? ATF won't attach finishes, will it? I just have zero experience with the stuff.

[BPTactical]

I just tossed a couple of cups in with 20 gallons. Does it make a difference? Not sure but after reading up on Eds Red and seeing what it can do for rusty tools why not?
My biggest concern with too much is leaving an oily residue.

[Great-Kazoo]

Benzene.

[Coffee]

parts cleaner not meth lab.

[Tim K]

Hah! I just cleaned an AR using my parts cleaner filled with mineral spirits and compressed air. I hate cleaning guns, primarily because my OCD kicks in and I worry about the crud in the nooks and crannies, but also because it takes too long.

Not only was it almost fun, it was fast and very effective. I can't believe I've had this thing for 20 years and just now tried it for guns.

[BPTactical]

Hah! I just cleaned an AR using my parts cleaner filled with mineral spirits and compressed air. I hate cleaning guns, primarily because my OCD kicks in and I worry about the crud in the nooks and crannies, but also because it takes too long.

Not only was it almost fun, it was fast and very effective. I can't believe I've had this thing for 20 years and just now tried it for guns.

You have learned well Grasshopper...