Cleaning dirty bronze bore brushes

[radiotom]

My bronze bore brushes are starting to get a little dirty. I'm wondering if they are depositing more gunk into the barrel than what they loosen up.

What's the best way to clean these off?

 

[GJSchulze]

I usually spray them with One-shot or clean them in my ultrasonic. Seems like anything that will clean carbon from a gun barrel or used to clean brass cases would clean the brushes.

 

[VA27]

I just blast 'em with brake cleaner.

 

[Lonestar49]

...

Not quite boiling water - and stir


Ls

 

[rcoolbaugh]

Throw them into the ultrasonic.

 

[gamestalker]

I've noticed that when they get that dirty, it's often time to replace them anyway. I always keep extra one's on hand, as worn bore brushes will often shed bristles, which can become lodged in undesirable places, lug recesses and other hidden spots.

But if they are worth salvaging, I just clean them up with gun cleaning solvent.

GS

 

[Hondo 60]

By the time they're dirty, they're misshapen too.
So I just throw 'em away.

It's less than $2 for a new one.

 

[Mk VII]

I find mineral spirits works well.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

When mine get really grimey I put them in my copper cleaning solvent and use them to brush out a dirty barrel. Then I take them into the kitchen and put them under hot tap water and they look brand new again.

The ammonia cleans them really well and isn't on the copper brush long enough to hurt it as long as you rinse it right away with really hot water.

It takes seconds.

 

[Newcatwalt]

I just leave it attached to the cleaning rod and "roll" it in on a paper towel that's on top of a cloth towel. I do this every few passes through the barrel and it seems to remove most of the dirt. When the bristles start to shed or fall off it's time to replace the bronze brush with a new one.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

A strong water rinse after every use keeps them clean and keeps copper solvent from eating them up.

 

[Reloadron]

I just replace them keeping a good stash on hand. The few I have cleaned I shot them with aerosol gun cleaner then swished around in some isopropanol alcohol.

Ron

 

[Walkalong]

I spray them off after each run through the barrel, using B-12 Chemtool or something similar. A run may be two passes or 4 or 5 passes. I spray the rod and the brush to remove residue. I wipe the rod off with a clean towel etc. I throw brushes away when they get worn down and are not effective anymore, not when they get dirty, because they don't. I do not scrub bores with dirty brushes.

 

[matrem]

I spray mine with brake cleaner after each use.
They do eventually wear down and become too loose, but that makes them good for wrapping a patch around.

 

[rcmodel]

I keep a pint can of denatured alcohol on the bench.

After using a brush, I just swish it around in the alcohol while still on the cleaning rod, shake it off, and put it away for the next time.

rc

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

brake cleaner. no muss, no fuss. dries in seconds.

 

[Double_J]

acetone/paint thinner works for me. I also will buy new ones a couple of times per year, usually when I can not find the one I need right then. They always seem to pop up right after I buy a new one for some strange reason.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Post #6. Hate it when a bristle gets stuck in between the forcing cone and barrel shroud.

 

[On An Island]

+1 for the de-natured alcohol. I'd used it for a sanding aide (it won't raise the grain in wood) for years, when a shooting friend mentioned he used it to clean his tools and such. It's worked great for me ever since.

 

[moxie]

Blast them with whatever's handy. When they get gnarly I rotate them into breech/bolt face cleaning duty.

 

[1911Tuner]

Rubbing alcohol. Dunk it. Swish it. Shake it. Clean.

 

[whanson_wi]

I thought that was what that basket in the dishwasher was for.