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Posted: 4/14/2007 2:41:45 PM EDT
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After reading a few posts here, I decided to pick up some brake cleaner to use on my guns instead of Gunscrubber or one of those other degreasers. I went to Autozone and found brake cleaner for about 2 bucks a can. After I bought 5 cans and started using it, I remembered something being said about not using chlorinated brake cleaner. I read the can and cannot find anything stating whether or not the cleaner I have containg chlorine. How can I tell if it is chlorinated or not? |
I do not know the answer to your question but will add this: When it melts any of your plastic you will then know that it is chlorinated! |
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a test was done on some plastics. I used a plastic hose for a pool and some plastic bubble wrap. I sprayed the crap out of both pieces. Let sit for a minute or so, no deformities or discoloration of the plastic tube. THe bubble wrap was still good and even popped when squeezed. This stuff should be OK |
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So, does non-chlorinated brake cleaner not harm plastic or synthetic stocks, mags, etc? I've been using the non-chlor stuff for some time, but the other older chlorinated brake cleaner took some finish off one of my wood stocks one time, so I have been very careful with it since that time. Also burns like fire when it splashes into your eyes. |
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The chlorinated brake cleans are like the old Gun Scrubber - cleans great, won't burn, damage some plastics and are hard on you liver (an other internal parts ;-) - But to clean metal at any cost they are hard to beat. The non-chlorinated brake cleaners may clean nearly as well, do burn (i.e. use in a well vented place), may still be a little hard on you (i.e. wear gloves and vent well) and MAY damage plastics. Some non-chlorinated brake cleaners contain acetone (damages plastics and burns easy) and/or some of the same chemicals in paint stripper (carb and throttle body cleaners are more likely to contain these chemicals as the "gas varnish" is kinda similar to paint). I have had good luck with the non-chlorinated brake cleaners that do not contain any acetone or anything with a "met" as the start of the name. Auto Zone AZP-10 (yellow can) contains petroleum distillates and toluene and the four cases I have used work well with in limits. These being the solvent evaporates fast and one can get cooling that allows air moisture to form on the part on humid days (the chlorinate solvent actually is better in not generating moisture) and the solvent can still damage some plastics and paints. For anything that I am worried about, tend to use MPro 7 (does leave a film that does not appear to hurt anything and comes off with Brake Cleaner ;-) or if cleaning a lot we use a solvent tank with a high vapor pressure mineral spirits (flash point is 141F vs. 105F or less for "odor free" mineral spirits from the home supply store). |
| I've used both Autozone's generic brake cleaner and CRCs non-chlorinated cleaner as well and have had no instances of melting plastic on my Glock or HK. Works fine on my ARs, SIG and shotguns. I'd try to keep it off any woodend grips or stock pieces...but then most of my guns have plastic stocks anyway. Works fine...lasts long time. |
Fuck that non-chlorinated stuff.  There is also a big difference between the chlorinated solvents used in Gunscrubber and Brakleen, they are NOT the same. Brakleen non-chlorinated formula: Composition/Information on Ingredients Toluene 22-32% Methanol 15-25% Acetone 45-55% Carbon Dioxide 10% Dimethoxypropane 5% Brakleen chlorinated formula: Tetrachloroethylene 95% Carbon Dioxide 5% Gunscrubber non-chlorinated cleaner: Hexane 65-70% Isopropyl Alcohol 25-30% Carbon Dioxide 1-5% Gunscrubber chlorinated cleaner: Trichloroethylene 97% Carbon Dioxide 3% |
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My rule of thumb when dealing with chemicals is: the more harmful it is to your health, the better it will work. As a result, I always go for the more harmful chemicals. I just make sure to wear rubber gloves and eye protection when using chlorinated brake cleaner, and use it outdoors so I don't breath in the vapors. All's good, except maybe for that patch of ground where the chemicals end up residing. Then again, your not a true American, if you don't have a small superfund site somewhere in your backyard. Milspec handguards are made from thermo-setting plastics and should not melt with chlorinated solvents. |
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If your looking for something better smelling and not as toxic, try Break-free Powder Blast. I switched to it from break cleaner and I am pretty impressed. At just under $5 a can, it’ll cost you about 2x what a can of BC cost, but I think the price is worth it. Plus for me, I use it sparingly in the barrel, chamber and gas tube, so a can will last quite a while. I am now a complete “Break-free product user”. 
www.break-free.com/?location=/main.asp |
I saw that in Bass Pro Shops. I may have to try it out.... |
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