Author Topic: Cheap and very effective copper fowling removal...  (Read 2346 times)

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Offline Abe Normal

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Cheap and very effective copper fowling removal...
« on: June 02, 2007, 08:43:48 AM »
Gentlemen, and Ladys that may be present,

For copper fowling removal, I've been using gelled household ammonia.

Almost a year ago the wife began using a new item to thicken sauces, gravies and the like. She happened to make the statement that the stuff worked so well that she thought a very small amount would thicken up a gallon of water! So, I said (in what turned out to be a lucid moment) how about ammonia?

Well, we attempted to mix about 1/2 - 3/4 teaspoon Xanthan Gum (prounced: zan-thann gum) a powder much like cornstarch, with about 4 ounces of household ammonia. This produced a very nicely gelled substance that adheres well to brushes and the walls of the barrel being cleaned of copper.

Xanthan Gum can be found at any good "yuppie" type food store such as Wellspring/Whole Foods although it is becoming more common in the mainstream food stores, if they have a well-stocked "health foods" section.

To mix pour about 4 ounces household ammonia into a glass bowl and begin vigorously mixing with a whisk type tool. SLOWLY start adding the Xanthan Gum until about 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon of the powder has been mixed into the ammonia. If you add the Xanthan gum all at once and then attempt to mix it into the ammonia it will clump-up and not thicken the ammonia causing you to go into "do-over" mode.
The ammonia stays gelled at room temperature, and my mixture is still gelled almost a year later!

To use:
Just apply with a brush to the barrel (best not to use a brass brush unless its a nearly dead one as the ammonia will destroy it) let the barrel sit for about 10 to 15 minutes and then swab out the desolved copper and ammonia residue with several water dampened patches. Repeat a second time if the barrel is really badly copper fowled. Finish up with your normal final oiling/rust preventive procedures.

Offline William Chase

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Cheap and very effective copper fowling removal...
« Reply #1 on: June 02, 2007, 10:34:25 AM »
Way cool! Thinking outside the box is the way to go!

Bill
"The right to buy weapons is the right to be free". A.E van Vogt
CZ75 P-01   CZ52 (53)  S&W 642  
1903 M96B Carl Gustaf Swedish Mauser Remington 870 Wingmaster 12Ga
USPSA Area 4, Brazosland Pistoleros

Offline jwc007

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Cheap and very effective copper fowling removal...
« Reply #2 on: June 03, 2007, 08:53:49 AM »
Wonder how this would work with the Janitorial Strength Ammonia they sell in some of the Hardware Stores?

A similar product is RB-17 Bore Gel.
"Easy is the path to wisdom for those not blinded by ego." - Yoda


For all of those killed by a 9mm: "Get up! You are not dead! You were shot with a useless cartridge!"

Offline Abe Normal

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Cheap and very effective copper fowling removal...
« Reply #3 on: June 25, 2007, 05:42:03 AM »
I think the Xanthan Gum would thicken the Janitorial Strength Ammonia just fine. However, would you gain anything by the use of Janitorial Strength Ammonia?
I would suspect that the overall use and handling would become more of a problem, ie; odder, chemical burns if splashed on your skin, damage to wood and wood finishes and or the bluing of the steel/aluminum parts.

So far I've had very good results with household ammonia without any side affects. Most firearms I've used the gelled ammonia on have taken two 15-minute applications to completely remove the copper. The very worst was a gun show find that took five before no further patches were pushing out blue jelly.

In this case I'm just not sure that you are going to gain anything significant as regards "cleaning power" by the use of Janitorial Strength Ammonia and may in fact just create handling problems instead.

Just my 2 cents worth...

Abe

Offline Cliff47

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Cheap and very effective copper fowling removal...
« Reply #4 on: June 25, 2007, 07:52:29 AM »
Sounds like rather than thinking outside the box, it was more like thinking outside the barrel.  Okay, I will return to my sensory deprivation cubicle.

mbott

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Cheap and very effective copper fowling removal...
« Reply #5 on: June 25, 2007, 10:09:14 AM »
Careful with ammonia and bore cleaning.  Too much/too long/too strong can damage the bore.  

On a side note, one of the local PD armorers had been using an ultrasonic cleaner to clean their ARs in.  He thought that since x time at 150 degrees did a good job that 2x time at 200 degrees would do a better job.  

When he removed the ARs, they were in the white.  The extra time and temperature had removed the anodized coating from the aluminum.  Oops!

--
Mike

Offline jwc007

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Cheap and very effective copper fowling removal...
« Reply #6 on: June 27, 2007, 09:21:59 AM »
Simple Green will also remove the Anodizing from Aluminum as one of our Club Members soaked the Aluminum Frame of his Pistol (SigArms P226) in it and the Frame was then "in the White".  It was in the "Simple Green" bath for a week.

The Slide and Frame were later refinished in Black DuraCoat.
"Easy is the path to wisdom for those not blinded by ego." - Yoda


For all of those killed by a 9mm: "Get up! You are not dead! You were shot with a useless cartridge!"