Carburetor Cleaner? Brake Cleaner? ???

Bud · 08-08-2002, 03:04 AM

Whoa, listen to me, who has automotive repair experience and formal training, and learned from the school of hard knocks, about brake cleaner. Brake cleaner has properties in it that is highly toxic. If you get it near heat or flame accidently, it will turn into something similar to mustard gas, happened to me once on the job, almost killed my butt, by spraying a carburetor with it near an exhaust manifold. The can will tell you not to do this anyway. Also, it is more toxic, more carcinogens. Also, it is more abusive to paints and finishes.
Carburetor cleaner on the other hand is supposed to be more close to what you are looking for in a gun cleaner, and is less toxic and won't turn into mustard gas if hot.
I recommend carburetor cleaner if a person absolutely does not want a gun intended only product. Also, keep ALL plastics away from all the cleaners, cause once again, school of hard knocks, my brother screwed up a Remington Viper .22 rifle and my Marlin camp 9 plastic trigger housing with "Gun Scrubber" gun cleaner spray.
Unfortunately, Gun Scrubber or similar brands can be expensive, so I only use it on pistol extractor areas, and other areas that would wear out faster if taken apart all the time.
Definitely, if you have to, go with carburetor cleaner, NOT brake cleaner.

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08-08-2002, 03:04 AM	#9
Bud User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Oregon Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Whoa, listen to me, who has automotive repair experience and formal training, and learned from the school of hard knocks, about brake cleaner. Brake cleaner has properties in it that is highly toxic. If you get it near heat or flame accidently, it will turn into something similar to mustard gas, happened to me once on the job, almost killed my butt, by spraying a carburetor with it near an exhaust manifold. The can will tell you not to do this anyway. Also, it is more toxic, more carcinogens. Also, it is more abusive to paints and finishes. Carburetor cleaner on the other hand is supposed to be more close to what you are looking for in a gun cleaner, and is less toxic and won't turn into mustard gas if hot. I recommend carburetor cleaner if a person absolutely does not want a gun intended only product. Also, keep ALL plastics away from all the cleaners, cause once again, school of hard knocks, my brother screwed up a Remington Viper .22 rifle and my Marlin camp 9 plastic trigger housing with "Gun Scrubber" gun cleaner spray. Unfortunately, Gun Scrubber or similar brands can be expensive, so I only use it on pistol extractor areas, and other areas that would wear out faster if taken apart all the time. Definitely, if you have to, go with carburetor cleaner, NOT brake cleaner.