Removing lead fouling from aluminum bells

[kruuth]

I've got a Surefire Ryder 22 with some fouling on it that I can't get off. I've tried regular gun cleaner but it doesn't help. I'm told that I can't use hoppes 9 because it's aluminum. How to I get the lead and carbon off? I've done the warm and soapy water to no avail.

[Ridge Runner]

Are you trying to get it clean for some reason or simply removing buildup to allow reassembly with most of the grime out of the way?

If you are trying to get it clean what is the upside compared to just getting it sort of clean?

[a_canadian]

Are you trying to get it clean for some reason or simply removing buildup to allow reassembly with most of the grime out of the way?

If you are trying to get it clean what is the upside compared to just getting it sort of clean?

This is an important point. It's hard to remove the base filth from aluminum without causing damage. But removing the lead/carbon from a base of filth is easier. Clean surfaces are not essential for good suppression, and some even suggest that it'll be slightly quieter with just a bit of filth on surfaces.

[kruuth]

Sounds reasonable. Here's the amount of fouling now:

https://ibb.co/x56trcY
Does that need to be removed?

[a_canadian]

Doesn't seem very thick, so probably not affecting suppressor air volume significantly. It's ugly, but you don't have to look at it in use. If it were mine, I'd coat all the fouled surfaces with lithium grease and shoot it. Suppression improves slightly (though with a bit of smoke), and the white lithium grease softens the fouling such that most of it can be wiped off easily.

[748]

Yeah put the grease to it to try and keep the lead off internal surfaces.

[Historian]

Also consider coating innards with
Silicone DOT 5 Brake Fluid

It will make scraping crud off parts so much easier.

Also lightly coat all threads with Permatex Anti-Seize
Compound,

Its excellence proved in preventing, over the intervening 50 years, any
galling between steel spark plugs and aluminum heads
on 1970 280SL and 280SE.

Best

[WhiteWhiskeyRunner]

Also consider coating innards with
Silicone DOT 5 Brake Fluid

It will make scraping crud off parts so much easier.

Best

What constitutes "coating"? Soaking wet, liberally wet or damp cloth wiping the innards? Light coat, barely costed?

Sounds like a good idea, I'd rather start and stay better than relatively clean than have to catch up later.

[a_canadian]

https://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/s ... 1505&amp=1

https://youtu.be/qxIyYygRHgI

[WhiteWhiskeyRunner]

Thanks for the links, more information is better!

The forum read is great, the video, not so much.

[Historian]

Sorry for time lag in reply.

Wipe tube with DOT 5 soaked cleaning patch;
drop baffles into a small bowl of same and
wipe with the patch. .

Over the years on other sites this 'gunsmithing kink'
has been mentioned and attested to. Works.

Added factoid; 50% solution of acetone + 50%
solution of transmission fluid soaks into and cuts through rust
and stuck parts faster by orders of magnitude than
any commercial products.

Best.

p.s., once given a shot of 'white lightening' from an
esteemed Marine Major ... cleaned and polished all
fillings.

[WhiteWhiskeyRunner]

Sorry for time lag in reply.

Wipe tube with DOT 5 soaked cleaning patch;
drop baffles into a small bowl of same and
wipe with the patch. .

Over the years on other sites this 'gunsmithing kink'
has been mentioned and attested to. Works.

Added factoid; 50% solution of acetone + 50%
solution of transmission fluid soaks into and cuts through rust
and stuck parts faster by orders of magnitude than
any commercial products.

Best.

p.s., once given a shot of 'white lightening' from an
esteemed Marine Major ... cleaned and polished all
fillings.

Good to know, get right on that silly cone brake fluid - anything to make it easier to clean. BTW, to properly clean a lubricate the body takes about a pint of crystal clear, nature's finest elixir! Make a new man outta you! Jarheads got it right!