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Suppressors Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

bm11

bm11

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 18, 2010
2,562
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41
Maine
#1
I know, I know... don't clean your can until it needs it.

But I think mine needs it. I've shot 2500 or so rounds through it now (.308) and it has gained 2 oz of weight. Yes, I weighed it when it was new, and no, it isn't condensation. I weighed it dry both times.

Finally, it seems like it is getting louder. Sometimes it doesn't seem like I am shooting suppressed at all, but then when I take it off, it is still a dramatic difference. Still, it seems louder.

So, for someone who actually qualified for suppressor cleaning, how do I do it properly?

Thanks,

-Bob
 
#3
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kevlars</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What Suppressor do you have? </div></div>Oops, sorry, a SAS Ti Arbiter.
 
#5
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

And try not to get the shit coming out on your skin, or breathe the fumes, or pour them down the drain, or anywhere that will seep into drinking water. Some pretty nasty bi-products come out of "the dip"
 
#7
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

I have the Tactical Solutions Cascade and its a sealed can also will this "dip" work for mine and will this solution have any effect on the glue or epoxy used in the end caps
 
#8
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: trophyhunter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have the Tactical Solutions Cascade and its a sealed can also will this "dip" work for mine and will this solution have any effect on the glue or epoxy used in the end caps </div></div>
It will NOT work on an aluminum suppressor. It will eat the aluminum...
 
#10
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: trophyhunter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">what can be used to clean an aluminum suppressor ?

I have a Gemtech Tundra and i'm pretty sure the baffles are aluminum </div></div>
Brake cleaner and compressed air.
 
#11
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

OK, got it. Can I use canned air, or do I need to buy a compressor? Also- I assume that it is relatively important to get all the moisture out before shooting again, what is the best way to accomplish this? Bake on 250 degrees Fahrenheit for an hour or something?
 
#12
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bm11</div><div class="ubbcode-body">OK, got it. Can I use canned air, or do I need to buy a compressor? Also- I assume that it is relatively important to get all the moisture out before shooting again, what is the best way to accomplish this? Bake on 250 degrees Fahrenheit for an hour or something? </div></div>
You can use canned air...and you do not have to get all of the moisture out before shooting. Just most of it. After the first shot or two it will all be out anyway. I would not bake it.
 
#13
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

You have gotten great advice, I can only add.

1. Call SAS and ask them what they recommend, first.

2. Their cans are either SS or Ti so it can be cleaned as others have directed.

Now the rest of the story, I doubt that it is lead fouling if you have been shooting jacketed bullet, but rather, it is powder residue. If that is the case, you don't need anything like the dip if you don't want to go through all that.

The following is fantastic on powder:

- Dawn Dishwasher soap (for dishwashing machines). Seal one end of your can with a plug. Get some moderatly hot water in a bottle and add about 1/2 a cup of the soap. Shake the bottle gently and pour it into your can, leave a little space so you can shake it every 2-3 hours and leave it overnight. In the morning powder residue will pour out like liquid coal. Rinse your can in hot piping hot water, blow it out and your good to go.

- Dentaured alcohol. Same thing, plug your can, pour in 100% straight denatured and plug it up for about three hours, shake it, and let it sit for an hour. Pop the plug and pour it out. Now this needs to be blown out or allowed to sit for the night empty and standing threads down, threads DOWN.

Honestly, 2,500 is far too few rounds, it is really nothing for clean burning .308s, unless you are shooting leaded bullets (some sub gun and subsonic shooters do) and or incredibly crappy powder. Grime should be quieting that can. .308 is c-l-e-a-n, so something else may be going on. I don't know if SAS ever produced ported can. J.D. Jones is BIG on "porting and core", in other words...no forward purge. So, I'm betting that you are going to be surprised that there is really no difference after your cleaning. Just remember, its going to now take a while to get filthy enough in that can again to really sound good.

COme on back and let us all know how it went.

Maine....one hell of a day eh? 74 and light offshore wind...

Maine.jpg





 
#14
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

taken directly from the SAS website Faq's section:

Q: Do I need to clean my suppressor? If so what do you suggest and how often?
A: 3 years ago I would have answered no. Something has changed in the composition of some powders making it necessary to clean even your large caliber suppressors. The easiest method we have found it to plug the end, fill with vinegar and let it sit for a day or two. Then rinse with hot water. The carbon will flush right out. This method is only to be used on the Stainless Steel or Titanium models.
 
#15
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

Thanks guys (especially resident suppressor guru RollingThunder.) My shooting partners SAS stainless can should clear any day now (been pending for 4 months or so,) so I think I'll wait and listen to them side by side. If mine is still significantly louder, I'll try douching it.
 
#16
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

Good news- my friends SAS was approved on Friday, so he should have it by the next time we shoot, so I can do a side by side comparison.
 
#18
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

Finally did this. Here are the results, using a 50/50 solution of distilled vinegar and hydrogen peroxide:

Starting (new) suppressor weight: 417 grams
Pre dip weight: 482 grams
Post dip weight: 472 grams

Not overly impressed with the results. Might give it another try with 100% vinegar, but overall 15.5% reduction in accumulated carbon residue is not impressive IMO.
 
#19
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

Crest Ultrasonic Cleaner does it for me and thats been about it. I don't really clean suppressors other then rimfire though. Kind of a waste of time. If your talking 5k rounds on a bolt rifles can, OK a little soak wont hurt.
 
#20
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bm11</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Finally did this. Here are the results, using a 50/50 solution of distilled vinegar and hydrogen peroxide:

Starting (new) suppressor weight: 417 grams
Pre dip weight: 482 grams
Post dip weight: 472 grams

Not overly impressed with the results. Might give it another try with 100% vinegar, but overall 15.5% reduction in accumulated carbon residue is not impressive IMO.

</div></div>

How long did it soak for?
 
#21
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 762frmafr</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bm11</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Finally did this. Here are the results, using a 50/50 solution of distilled vinegar and hydrogen peroxide:

Starting (new) suppressor weight: 417 grams
Pre dip weight: 482 grams
Post dip weight: 472 grams

Not overly impressed with the results. Might give it another try with 100% vinegar, but overall 15.5% reduction in accumulated carbon residue is not impressive IMO.

</div></div>

How long did it soak for? </div></div>30 hours.

KY- It had been over 3k rounds and it had gained over 2oz of sediment, so I wanted to give it a try.
 
#22
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

I've been thinking about the same thing lately. I have a stainless SAS .30 cal can and have probably 3200 rounds or so through it. I just plugged the end and filled it with vinegar. Something is damned sure going on in there. It's fizzing, popping and bubbling like crazy. I didn't weigh mine when I got it so I won't be able to provide concrete results unfortunately.
 
#23
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

I have an SAS can with many, many 5.56 rounds through it.

I have never cleaned it.....I may give it a try soon.

Why? Because after a CQB Instructor school I could barely remove the can from the QD mount. The ammo was soo dirty that it caked carbon on the muzzle device to the point that when I pulled the can off I was scraping carbon from the flash hider.

Also, if you think .308 is clean....pull a brake off of a barrel after 1000 rounds and see how much carbon is caked on the muzzle between the crown and threads. It's significant.

I like the straight vinegar option. Seems to be I could just pour that on the weeds when I was done since neither vinegar or carbon are poisonous.

I don't think my can needs any help from a sound suppression standpoint. I just don't want to get to the point that I can't remove it from the QD mount.
 
#24
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

I've got LESS than 1000 rounds though my .243WSSM upper and YHM Phantom and have noticed that the carbon on the inside is starting to cause unwelcome friction when attaching it to my QD mount.

Not so much that I can't get it on or off, but WAY more than I like. I have no doubt that if I didn't put it on and take it off at every shooting session, that it would have gotten way more tight.
 
#25
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

any thoughts from anyone that shoots the shark suppresors that are able to be taken daown to be cleaned. I have one on the way and I'm curious.MIght not be ideal to clean them much. Just wondering from the guys that have put some rounds through em. THanks
 
#26
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

I have a Tigershark and I only have taken it apart once to dry it out. The baffles are NOT easy to get out. I actually dropped a bit of blue loctite on the female end of the can. After I would shoot the tailcap would unscrew and leaving me with the tailcap on my threads.
 
#27
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

FWIW,

I've noticed that my TBAC 30P-1 does accumulate carbon, but only to a certain point.
After which it gets knocked loose.
I've confirmed this with a bore scope.

Every time I take my 30P-1 off, I notice chunks of loose carbon falling out.
Here is a photo that shows an area where there is carbon and an area where it has been knocked clear.
P1010366.JPG


This suppressor does double duty on my 308 FN SPR and my 300 BLK AR.
It sees some pretty dirty powder.
Namely RL15 for the 308 and AA1680 for 300 BLK sub-sonic loads.
 
#28
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

I usually say your muffler on your car\truck doesn't need cleaning, but I took my Shark apart and cleaned it in my US machine with Dawn and LemmiShine, after 1 hour the baffles were completely clean, the blast chamber had some carbon left on it that came off with another 30 in the US machine, I have not shot it yet since cleaning, I doubt I'll be doing this very often but for those anal enough to clean there cans try the Dawn LemmiShine combo in a US machine.
 
#29
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

I filled my SAS with vinegar yesterday and let it sit over night. Here are a few pics of what came out with the vinegar.

P1040583.jpg


P1040584.jpg


I took it out to the garage and started blowing it out with the compressor. There were several chunks of carbon that came out of the suppressor, most of them blew under the refrigerator but I was able to pick these up.

P1040582.jpg
 
#30
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

I'm thinking about buying an ultra sonic brass cleaner. Has anybody dropped a can in there with simple green or similar and let it clean? How'd it work?
 
#31
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Goin'Hot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm thinking about buying an ultra sonic brass cleaner. Has anybody dropped a can in there with simple green or similar and let it clean? How'd it work?</div></div> I used it on my .22 suppressor and it is not nearly as effective as the dip.
 
#32
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JonM</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Goin'Hot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm thinking about buying an ultra sonic brass cleaner. Has anybody dropped a can in there with simple green or similar and let it clean? How'd it work?</div></div> I used it on my .22 suppressor and it is not nearly as effective as the dip. </div></div>

Thanks. I know the 22's have lead in them that won't be present in the centerfire cans. My hopes is that the sonicator will brake up the carbon.
 
#33
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

Well, I shot it today, and it made an immense cloud for the first few shots. I re-weighed it, and it is down to 462 grams.

Judging by Phylo's results, I should try straight vinegar next.
 
#34
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

Well, I shot it today, and it made an immense cloud for the first few shots. I re-weighed it, and it is down to 462 grams.

Judging by Phylo's results, I should try straight vinegar next.
 
#36
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

Another 24 hours filled with vinegar brought a good bit more carbon sediment out of the suppressor. This is what dumped out of the suppressor, the load of vinegar and one rinse of hot tap water.

P1040586.jpg


Further rinsing with hot water brought these pieces out as well.

P1040585.jpg


I blew it out with the compressor after rinsing but didn't see any large chunks emerge like the day before. Could be my imagination but the suppressor does seem lighter now.
 
#37
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LoneWolfUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have an SAS can with many, many 5.56 rounds through it.

I have never cleaned it.....I may give it a try soon.

Why? Because after a CQB Instructor school I could barely remove the can from the QD mount. The ammo was soo dirty that it caked carbon on the muzzle device to the point that when I pulled the can off I was scraping carbon from the flash hider.

Also, if you think .308 is clean....pull a brake off of a barrel after 1000 rounds and see how much carbon is caked on the muzzle between the crown and threads. It's significant.

I like the straight vinegar option. Seems to be I could just pour that on the weeds when I was done since neither vinegar or carbon are poisonous.

I don't think my can needs any help from a sound suppression standpoint. I just don't want to get to the point that I can't remove it from the QD mount. </div></div>

Use some anti-seize grease on your barrel threads (hi-temp) before putting the can on. Helped greatly after I almost got my rimfire can stuck on my host. SS Rimfire is filthy.
 
#38
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

Has anyone tried AeroKroil? A lot of bench rest folks seem to swear by the stuff for getting carbon/copper out of barrels. I don't have enough rounds through my suppressor to even consider trying to clean it yet or I would give it a shot. Sure works on Barrels though.
 
#40
Re: Cleaning a suppressor... RollingThunder?

AeroKroil is a non starter. The reason is the residuals left behind are way too tacky...exactly the wrong product. Good to break threads but absolutely not to be run in your can.
 
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