Another question for everyone, my wife and I have been shooting our .22 pistols quite a bit with the silencerco spectre II and it gets dirty as hell. Just curious how everyone is cleaning their suppressors that are able to break down for cleaning? A friend of mine uses a media blaster to clean the baffles and says it works great but I would think doing that too much would eventually wear down the baffle metals. Thoughts?Â
Suppressors How Do You Clean Your Cans?
- Thread starter DustyRoads91
- Start date
Dental pick, copper brush and Slip2000. But I only clean when the silencer gets noticeably louder.
Simple Green mix 50/50 with water with a stiff nylon brush and chamber brush of appropriate diameter.
a tad bit of SLP2000 on the threads to reassemble
a tad bit of SLP2000 on the threads to reassemble
Goosed, I've heard about guys using stainless media for cleaning I actually forgot about that option. I might look into getting myself a tumbler.Â
I've traditionally used the dip (50/50 mix of white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide). However, I treated one of my .22 cans to the silicone oil treatment. I haven't shot that one enough to clean it, so I can't offer any first-hand feedback regarding the effectiveness of that approach.
Found this a while ago. http://www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html Just got a new can and I'm going to try it before I shoot it.
CLR is a cleaner. Stands for Calcium Lime and Rust remover.
I have used an ultrasonic cleaner and if its really thick, a dental pick or really small flathead screw driver. Rental .22's with suppressors seem to double the weight of suppressors in a hurry.
I have used an ultrasonic cleaner and if its really thick, a dental pick or really small flathead screw driver. Rental .22's with suppressors seem to double the weight of suppressors in a hurry.
Anthony now that you say that I think I've seen that stuff in Walmart in the cleaning isle probably. I try to only shoot somewhat quality ammo but I could see how some stuff would be a lot harder on them.
Dustyroads91, I see your question was answered. My son in law pours some in a big zip lock bag and throws the suppressor in it for a day or two and will shake it back and forth every once in awhile. I tried this but it nearly took off the outside paint on the suppressor so I went to the hardware store and got a plug to fit the large end. I plug it and slowly pour in the CLR and as you do it it will really foam for a while bubbling over. I leave it set and come back and keep filling it up until its full. Leave it for a day or two and then dump it out and run it under the faucet getting all the carbon out of it then blow it out with an air compressor. Works good for me...
Raptor, that sounds like that method would work great for my gemtech sandstorm that doesn't come apart for cleaning.
I saw an ultra sonic cleaner at harbor freight a couple days ago I thought might work. Good to know.
SAS suggests using White Vinegar. I plug the end fill, let sit for 24 hours and repeat as needed. Then flush with hot water. I have only cleaned my Airbiter, but this method worked for me.
Neel, that makes sense isn't vinegar one of the parts for "the dip" that a lot of people like to use?
Yes "the dip" is half white vinegar, half hydrogen peroxide.
As for me, I clean them the old fashioned way. With harsh chemicals, gloves and as little work as possible. My city has hazardous material disposal days 4 times a year, and I plan cleanings around those. Have three cores soaking right now in fact.
For cleaning the inside of tubes, I use a small piece of scotch brite pad soaked with automatic transmission fluid, with an old brass brush (toothbrush size) as a handle. Just stick the green pad to the brushes. Hot water every so often seems to help. You can also spin a monocore in the tube to shave some crap off.
If I buy another .22lr can, it would be the Bowers Paradigm. The only .22lr can you never have to clean. When it fills up, say doubles in weight, just send it back to them with $20 for return postage, and they will rebuild it to like new for free.
For cleaning monocores, an old brass bore brush in a short handle between soaks in the dip helps. I also use a couple old pocket knives to break crud off the faces of the core of the shells of a Sparrow SS.
Last bit of advice for take apart cans is to take them apart often. You don't have to like new clean it, but knock the chunks off and make sure it goes back together easy.
As for me, I clean them the old fashioned way. With harsh chemicals, gloves and as little work as possible. My city has hazardous material disposal days 4 times a year, and I plan cleanings around those. Have three cores soaking right now in fact.
For cleaning the inside of tubes, I use a small piece of scotch brite pad soaked with automatic transmission fluid, with an old brass brush (toothbrush size) as a handle. Just stick the green pad to the brushes. Hot water every so often seems to help. You can also spin a monocore in the tube to shave some crap off.
If I buy another .22lr can, it would be the Bowers Paradigm. The only .22lr can you never have to clean. When it fills up, say doubles in weight, just send it back to them with $20 for return postage, and they will rebuild it to like new for free.
For cleaning monocores, an old brass bore brush in a short handle between soaks in the dip helps. I also use a couple old pocket knives to break crud off the faces of the core of the shells of a Sparrow SS.
Last bit of advice for take apart cans is to take them apart often. You don't have to like new clean it, but knock the chunks off and make sure it goes back together easy.
Midcities, I've never heard of Bowers I'll have to look those up, that's a good idea on taking them apart frequently though my buddy had a sparrow he couldn't take apart because it got so filthy.
Almost no one has, but he has been around longer than most. He doesn't have the quietest or lightest can, but I want one for the easy to clean thing. My Sparrow SS needs to be shipped to SiCo, as I let it get stuck. 
And I'm 28 hours into cleaning the Spectre II and a couple Liberty cans. Most of that is spent in the dip, but still the whole thing is a PITA.
And I'm 28 hours into cleaning the Spectre II and a couple Liberty cans. Most of that is spent in the dip, but still the whole thing is a PITA.
Any ideas on how to clean a semi sealed suppressor? I have an omega with close to 4000 rounds through it and am wanting to clean out the carbon from the baffle stack. I usually clean out each end every 600 rounds or so but know the internal baffles are bound to be getting really caked up.
Id say the best way would be as a couple guys said before by plugging one end and filling it with your cleaner of choice for a period of time then washing out. I haven't done it personally but seems like it would work good.
Note. Be extremely careful if your can has any aluminum if you plan to use an ultrasonic cleaner.
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
Good point Lefty, we have a ultra sonic cleaner at work and have a big sign saying NO ALUMINUM next to it ha.
For you TBAC owners, I believe they are still offering one free annual ultrasonic cleaning if you pay to ship it to them.
If you have a .22 can that can be disassembled, read this article - http://www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
It makes cleaning your can a hell of a lot easier. Follow the authors directions & the next time you need to clean, 95% of the lead & powder residue will wipe off. I use this method on my Dead Air Mask HD and it works like a charm.
DOT #5 silicone brake fluid is your friend - available at any decent auto pats store. 1 Qt will last you several years.
It makes cleaning your can a hell of a lot easier. Follow the authors directions & the next time you need to clean, 95% of the lead & powder residue will wipe off. I use this method on my Dead Air Mask HD and it works like a charm.
DOT #5 silicone brake fluid is your friend - available at any decent auto pats store. 1 Qt will last you several years.
Last edited:
I have a surefire 22mag can with the stainless baffles....a few trips through the ultrasonic cleaner with water and a little dish soap does it every time! No nasty chemicals, no harder than pushing a button. I don't think it can get easier than that
Plug one end then spray gun blaster in the other. Then plug that end. Let it set for an hour. Rinse out with hot water and dry it out with air. Then your good to go.
TBAC's recommendations : https://thunderbeastarms.com/forum/threads/do-i-need-to-clean-my-suppressor-how-often.4/
Similar threads
