Cleaning the inside of my barrel

[JackTaylor900]

Hello,

Sorry for the high amount of posts over the last few days, but I have a lot of questions, haha. So, someone told me they use SimpleGreen all purpose cleaner to clean the inside of their gun barrels... I wanted to ask if this was safe to do, because if I break my gun, there is no chance, I will be getting a new one any time soon haha. Last night I accidentally used RemOil to clean the inside of my guns barrel... I think It is still ok, and i shot it a few times this morning and it didn't diesel. anyway, it is a new air gun, and i need some tips on how I can clean it out so I can get to shooting. All I have right now is some cotton patches, and the Simple Green household cleaner, to clean my gun. I use weed waker wire to draw the cotton patch through the barrel. if anyone has any experience using simple green, please let me know, and if it is any good at cleaning my new barrel.

Thanks,

Jack.

[mobilehomer]

Welcome to the GTA.
Just make sure you pull enough clean patches through for them to come out clean.
The reasons for not using petroleum based cleaners is multi-fold.
It detonates, and it can destroy seals.
Now for the good news, it takes a little more than what you have done to break it, though.
Now - GO SHOOT IT!!!

[Roadworthy]

Jack - most of the guys on the site here recommend Goo Gone.  I'm one of the ones who uses Simple Green.  Why?  Easy - it's what I have on hand.  It won't harm your barrel or your seals.  I just use it full strength and run several dry patches to make sure I pick it back up.  I hesitate to use powder solvents for fear they'll dissolve seals, too.  If not completely removed they will diesel, too.  Had you not cleaned out your RemOil it would have probably dieseled as well.

I have used weed whacker line to pull my patches and find it works well.  I recently discovered a mini cleaning kit by Otis for .17 caliber rimfire rifles.  The main ingredient is a vinyl coated steel cable for pulling patches.  I appreciate its versatility.  It cost about $12 at a local gun store.

Enjoy your new toy.

[nervoustrigger]

Folks fret a lot about what to use to clean their airgun barrels but almost any degreasing agent will do an adequate job for routine cleaning.  And if it is hydrocarbon-based and therefore a concern of dieseling, pull through a couple of patches with alcohol and then a dry patch or two.  Any residual alcohol will then evaporate quickly.

If the barrel has accumulated lead flakes or slivers, you can do a deep cleaning with WD-40 or Kroil and that will help release it.  Most barrels won't need that type of cleaning very frequently.  Choked barrels will lead up more quickly, as will some barrels made with cheap or worn tooling that produced rough rifling.

[JackTaylor900]

Jack - most of the guys on the site here recommend Goo Gone.  I'm one of the ones who uses Simple Green.  Why?  Easy - it's what I have on hand.  It won't harm your barrel or your seals.  I just use it full strength and run several dry patches to make sure I pick it back up.  I hesitate to use powder solvents for fear they'll dissolve seals, too.  If not completely removed they will diesel, too.  Had you not cleaned out your RemOil it would have probably dieseled as well.

I have used weed whacker line to pull my patches and find it works well.  I recently discovered a mini cleaning kit by Otis for .17 caliber rimfire rifles.  The main ingredient is a vinyl coated steel cable for pulling patches.  I appreciate its versatility.  It cost about $12 at a local gun store.

Enjoy your new toy.

Ok, so I should put a few dabs of simple green on a patch and run it through, or should i pour a few drops down the barrel?

[Midwestairgunner]

Jack - most of the guys on the site here recommend Goo Gone.  I'm one of the ones who uses Simple Green.  Why?  Easy - it's what I have on hand.  It won't harm your barrel or your seals.  I just use it full strength and run several dry patches to make sure I pick it back up.  I hesitate to use powder solvents for fear they'll dissolve seals, too.  If not completely removed they will diesel, too.  Had you not cleaned out your RemOil it would have probably dieseled as well.

I have used weed whacker line to pull my patches and find it works well.  I recently discovered a mini cleaning kit by Otis for .17 caliber rimfire rifles.  The main ingredient is a vinyl coated steel cable for pulling patches.  I appreciate its versatility.  It cost about $12 at a local gun store.

Enjoy your new toy.

Ok, so I should put a few dabs of simple green on a patch and run it through, or should i pour a few drops down the barrel?

Slightly wet the patch