Best method for cleaning cans

TXCOONDOG

TXCOONDOG

Well-known member
I have a Bushwhacker 46 and a Ruger SR 22 cans that you can disassembly to clean. The 46 baffles were easy to clean after 100 rounds with the standard cleaners used for cleaning rifle bores. However, the 22 LR baffles took hours of soaking and brush scrubbing after a full day at the range with the grandkids and 500 rounds.

Does anyone use an ultrasonic cleaner? What brand do you use? How do you like it? what cleaner do you use?

Open to any other methods, cleaners, suggestions, etc.
 
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Crud cutter from tractor supply in their welding section. Can buy a gallon. Safe on pretty much everything. 6L ultrasonic from harbor freight or amazon.
 
I got this ultrasonic cleaner
Limited-time deal: VEVOR Commercial Ultrasonic Cleaner 6L Professional Ultrasonic Cleaner 40kHz with Digital Timer&Heater 110V Excellent Cleaning Machine for Watch Instruments Industrial Parts Excellent Cleaner Solution https://a.co/d/cqs9oAd

And shooters choice ultrasonic cleaning solution.

Shooter's Choice 1/2 Gallon Ultrasonic Cleaner https://a.co/d/blJDoNe


But I haven't used them yet.
 
Korey Kirschenmann recommended this method to me and it has worked wonderfully. Use a ziploc bag big enough to hold the baffles. Put them in with a 50/50 mixture of CLR and water. Place the sealed bag in the ultrasonic cleaner and turn the heater on as well as the ultrasonic portion. I run it for about 30 minutes. I do not put the tube in the ultrasonic but use a rubber plug on the bottom and fill it with the same 50/50 solution and heated water will work better. I use a smaller rubber plug to plug the exit end and let it sit until the baffles are finished. Any remaining residue is wiped off easily on the baffles and inside the tube.
 
I’ve had good results with ultrasonic cleaning tanks for my smaller cans. They’re great at getting into the tight spots that are hard to reach by hand. Just make sure you use a cleaning solution that’s safe on the materials your can is made of.
 
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so i'm just getting ready to send my form1 can in for a re-core/repair. ive never taken it apart nor attempted to clean it. as a jacketed centerfire only can i was always under the impression that you just run it.

needless to say after 9 hard years of use on multiple hosts ... i'm talking thousands and thousands of rounds thru it.... its got some buildup in it. the folks doing the work asked that i do whatever i can to pre-clean it before sending in.

i primarily used my ultrasonic to clean it - whole - the baffles werent coming out, basiclly carbon welded in place.

i used basic ultrasonic cleaning powder and water and when that wouldnt get me any further, i started doing rubbing alcohol soaks before going back into the ultrasonic for more. the rubbing alcohol soaks did a HUGE improvement to starting to break up some of the really deep deposits. but only for a few soaks and then minimal gain again.

obviously, make sure you thoroughly dry and whatnot after the ultrasonic bath.



gonna try some a 50/50 simple green mix next and see if that gets me anywhere further before i send it in.

HTH
 
This evening I tried the Korey Kirschenmann recommended method referenced above on a Silencerco Sparrow .22 can. It had probably 3-400 rounds through it. The can was difficult it disassemble, but the clamshell design certainly helped. Lots of lead powder came off during disassembly.

I did the 50/50 CLR/water in a ziplock in a warm ultrasonic bath for about 30 minutes. The ziplock solution turned dark black. The results were impressive -- like new almost.

Sendit
 
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