Wheeljack Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 Reading the messages about cleaning brass and ultrasonic cleaners, got me wondering if you can clean a barrel in the ultrasonic cleaner. Now I know you can clean a barrel, BUT, does the cleaner remove lead and carbon? I don't get lead much with my coated bullets, but I do get a little carbon near the end of the barrel that is hard to remove. Tried a lot of oils and lubes and then I wrap some Bronze wool around a copper brush and work it until my arm almost falls off. I can see the carbon and can scratch some of it off with a small screw driver and then start working the brush again. Someone suggested putting the brush in a drill for faster removal. I haven't tried the sonic cleaner yet and was wondering if anyone else ever tried it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crockett Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 They won't remove serious accumulations of lead. For that I would get: https://www.brownells.com/gun-cleaning-chemicals/patches-mops/lead-remover/lewis-lead-remover-prod21587.aspx Regarding carbon, it depends on a few factors. If you would buy a commercial grade UltraSonic cleaner like the XPS240-4L from Sharpertek, as well as their ULTRASONIC GUN CLEANING SOLUTION SC20-G, it usually works very well. https://www.sharpertek.com/ultrasonic-cleaner-sh180-4l.html https://www.sharpertek.com/ulgunclsoco.html If you would use your average made in China consumer grade UltraSonic cleaner with some random cleaning solution or none at all, it often doesn't work properly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N2extrm Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 I’m a chicken so I haven’t put any gun parts in the little Hornady unit. I watched a bunch of reviews and a bunch of videos where others have. It seems like it’s hit or miss on results. I think they can clean well, but you are removing all oils so that worries me. At least when I see guys dump an entire J frame in the tank fully assembled sand grips. I shoot mostly .45 ACP and mostly lead. I have had luck with good cleaning and JB bore paste. They make different grades, like compound, polish and glaze for your cars finish. I keep meaning to try it on the forcing comes in my 586, after all these years it’s got some carbon build up. But honestly I am lazy and old which makes it easy to forget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheeljack Posted July 4, 2018 Author Share Posted July 4, 2018 Well it's not going to be a Sharpertek ultrasonic, out of my price range, but the JB paste and the Brownells brass patches seem like they would make a good match to try. The cheaper ultrasonic cleaner works for me in cleaning my pickup shells. If I decide to use it to clean hard to get to gun parts, the parts would have to be oiled afterward. After applying the oil, I would wipe it down and blow excess oil out of hard to get to places with compressed air. I can't seem to let well enough alone. Thanks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonb32248 Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 I just use vinegar and a gallon jug. Put them in there and let them sit for a while. Rinse them off and 995 of the carbon is gone. I only clean really dirty ones that have carbon on outside. It does a fair job inside also. Other than that I don't see the need to make them pretty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts