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Suppressors Rimfire suppressor cleaning process

Near miss

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Minuteman
  • Apr 8, 2019
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    Pretty soon after buying a suppressor it came clear it needs cleaning, atleast every 200 to 1000 rounds.
    I started using vinegar mixed with few drops of dishwashing soap.

    I tape the muzzle end, add dishwashing soap and then pour it with vinegar up to 75% and turn it around and shake it so the air bubbles get out. Then I fill it to the brim and leave it for the night or just few hours. The mix starts dissolving the crap in the can immediately and bubbles and burnt powder starts rising to the surface.

    After the wait I flush it with warm water and wipe the rest with a paper. End product is shiny clean.

    I have one rimfire can that cannot be opened and I use this method for it also.

    Has anyone other cleaning processes or improvements to mine? I have heard ultrasound cleaners work very well but I am hesitant to buy new appliances and preferably run with what I got.
     
    Get a takedown? ;)

    My .22 Takedown cleans easy with a similar solution, recommended by ThunderBeast, and is easy to clean due to access. The solution really does most of the work.

    Everyone tells me, including ThunderBeast in their instructions, that centerfire cans don't really need to be cleaned, ever.
     
    Pretty soon after buying a suppressor it came clear it needs cleaning, atleast every 200 to 1000 rounds.
    I started using vinegar mixed with few drops of dishwashing soap.

    I tape the muzzle end, add dishwashing soap and then pour it with vinegar up to 75% and turn it around and shake it so the air bubbles get out. Then I fill it to the brim and leave it for the night or just few hours. The mix starts dissolving the crap in the can immediately and bubbles and burnt powder starts rising to the surface.

    After the wait I flush it with warm water and wipe the rest with a paper. End product is shiny clean.

    I have one rimfire can that cannot be opened and I use this method for it also.

    Has anyone other cleaning processes or improvements to mine? I have heard ultrasound cleaners work very well but I am hesitant to buy new appliances and preferably run with what I got.

    My understanding is that the vinegar part of "The Dip" is what creates "Lead Acetate" . Very nasty aka toxic, stuff.

    I just wrote a post about this stuff here: https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/disposing-of-the-dip-solution.6941815/post-7766796
     
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    I am intrigued but worry this will wear at the metal over time?

    The wear from an US cleaner vs. shooting is orders of magnitude different. You'll have eroded the baffles from shooting long before US cleaning has done any noticeable damage, as long as you're not using a caustic cleaning solution.
     
    I am intrigued but worry this will wear at the metal over time?
    My baffles are stainless and way harder than brass. If stainless tumbling is ok for brass, it's ok for stainless baffles. I've not yet heard of a kaboom associated with so tumbling. Getting pins stuck in cases and destroying barrels, sure. But not degrading the brass.
     
    My baffles are stainless and way harder than brass. If stainless tumbling is ok for brass, it's ok for stainless baffles. I've not yet heard of a kaboom associated with so tumbling. Getting pins stuck in cases and destroying barrels, sure. But not degrading the brass.
    I don't use pins on my brass because I feel it is too hard on it. We are talking stainless pins?
     
    The wear from an US cleaner vs. shooting is orders of magnitude different. You'll have eroded the baffles from shooting long before US cleaning has done any noticeable damage, as long as you're not using a caustic cleaning solution.
    Not concerned about the cleaner it is the stainless pins pounding stainless that concerns me. I don't like what it dies to my brass.
     
    Incidentally I have not seen a can manufacturer recommend stainless pin tumbling on stainless baffles yet either. I know it's like a religion with you guys and your pins. I'm just not convinced....... (but hey I was told jesus was coming in 82 oh and then 85....still waiting)
     
    Incidentally I have not seen a can manufacturer recommend stainless pin tumbling on stainless baffles yet either. I know it's like a religion with you guys and your pins. I'm just not convinced....... (but hey I was told jesus was coming in 82 oh and then 85....still waiting)
    You have been lied to.

    Mathew 24:36
    "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone."

    FWIW, I have done the dip, and it works well, but the clean up, care during the process and disposal doesn't quite seem worth it. I may get a ultrasonic cleaner if it works well.
     
    Incidentally I have not seen a can manufacturer recommend stainless pin tumbling on stainless baffles yet either. I know it's like a religion with you guys and your pins. I'm just not convinced....... (but hey I was told jesus was coming in 82 oh and then 85....still waiting)
    No religion here, I just got tired scraping with a pick and I had the idea to just throw it in the tumbler. If a manufacturer advises against it, let me know. I didn't think it would be an issue.