Yeah, well, the purple stuff is labeled as being safe for metals. I guess you gotta read the small print. When I used it, I diluted with water 3:1.
After I cleaned my suppressor, I rinsed it out real good and left it out on my bench while I was doing other things. When I got back to it, I stuck a fiber optic inspection camera into it to check it out. Unless the simple green causes a chemical process that turns carbon a reddish brown, there was rust inside of my suppressor.
I ran the suppressor again to get rid of the corrosion and Immediately flushed it with Boretech Eliminator to coat the inside with a preservative until I can shoot it again and put a good coat of carbon on the inside.
So far, my experience with suppressors, ultrasonic cleaners and popular cleaning shortcuts has been less than positive. Still, the ultrasonic cleaner does a heck of a job on bolt carrier groups.
I wonder if you can use Breakthrough in an ultrasonic cleaner.
Yes, you need to read the fine print when using the Simple Green products. Many are list as safe on metals, coatings and plastics, but only at the stated dilutions and temperatures. Temperatures no greater than 100 F. They also state to submerge the entire item being cleaned and to never let the cleaning solution dry on item being cleaned. In some cases that state that soft water, distilled or deionized water should be used to dilute the cleaner.
Instructions, dilution ratios and MSDS can be found here:
https://simplegreen.com/industrial/products/specialty/
Extreme Aircraft and Precision Cleaner is non-caustic and water-based. Its high soil capacity, superior grease-cutting, and clean-rinsing formula prevents redeposition - ensuring fast, high precision cleaning of machinery, engines, metals, and more.
- Precision cleaning and degreasing without caustic solvents
- Optimized to clean metal, plastic, rubber, and painted surfaces
- Non-flammable formula is a great alternative to caustic cleaners
- Tested to meet high precision cleaning needs
- Formulated with an anti-corrosion agent to minimize oxidation
- Compatible with parts washers and a variety of cleaning equipment
- Cost-effective concentrated solution can be diluted
- Compatible with oil/water separators and clarifiers
For cleaning anything other than factory-finished aircraft surfaces, always spot test first. For best results dilute the concentrate with softened/distilled or demineralized ambient temperature water whenever possible.
Do not allow product to dry on surface. Do not clean over asphalt.
Maximum dilution for non-corrosion to metals is 1:13 (7.1% solution)
Compatible with oil/water separators for ease of disposal.
Dilution Instructions
These dilution ratios are provided as a guide. The product can be custom-diluted to address specific application needs.
Heavy Cleaning: Dilute 1 part Extreme Simple Green to 3 parts water
Use to clean heavily soiled aircraft leading edges, blow-by, belly oil, parts washing, engine cleaning, concrete cleanup, heavily soiled floors and traffic areas, tool clean-up, as a wax remover and as a soak for gasket adhesives removal.
General Cleaning: Dilute 1 part Extreme Simple Green to 13 parts water
Use as a general hand-washdown of aircraft and vehicles and for regular maintenance cleaning of floors, walls and counters.
Pressure Washing: Dilute 1 part Extreme Simple Green to 30-50 parts water For heavily soiled aircraft, vehicles or structures use 30 parts water. For lightly soiled surfaces use 50 parts water.
Light Cleaning: Dilute 1 part Extreme Simple Green to 127 parts water For use as a "window wash" and very light cleaning. Wipe onto glass, mirror, chrome, and plexiglass and polish dry with clean, non-abrasive cloth.
Application Instructions
- Dilute Extreme Simple Green with water per chart on label.
- Spray or sponge solution onto objects or dip them into the solution.
- Allow product to penetrate the soil. Heavy soils may require scrubbing.
- Damp wipe or rinse with water.
- Repeat if needed.
