[Blackhawk 5243]

I can clean the bore of the cylinders easy enough with Hoppes, a brass brush, and a drill but the burn rings are tough.

Seems like Birchwood Casey Lead remover cloth is the way to go but isn't cheap I found one video where they suggested using a ScotchBrite scrubbing pad. I am picky about clean but would rather not spend hours or risk damage to by cylinders.

Any suggestions for what works well for you?

 

[rammerjammer]

Leadaway cloth

 

[bearcatter]

I do the Birchwood-Casey lead cloth. I have a tip. It works nice wrapped around a used up gift card, or piece of one depending on what fits. Gets around the gas ring well. With a few uses, it polishes the cylinder face, which makes it easier to clean.
DO NOT use it on a blued gun. It removes bluing.

 

[rmichael63]

I can clean the bore of the cylinders easy enough with Hoppes, a brass brush, and a drill but the burn rings are tough.

Seems like Birchwood Casey Lead remover cloth is the way to go but isn't cheap I found one video where they suggested using a ScotchBrite scrubbing pad. I am picky about clean but would rather not spend hours or risk damage to by cylinders.

Any suggestions for what works well for you?

I just encountered this situation, the lead away cloths on Amazon are not deal breakers in my opinion when it comes to cost. I want to say less than $5. They work!
Before ...

After ...

 

[Blackhawk 5243]

Seems like Amazon has the best prices ($8). Anyone used both Birchwood Casey and Lead Away to suggest which one is better?

I has hoping to find a bottle of liquid so I could use my own cloth and throw it out when done.

 

[rmichael63]

I bought Birchwood ...

 

[ngashooter]

You don't use the whole cloth at one time. You cut off a couple of patch size pieces and put the rest back in its bag. It lasts a long time.

 

[Kenny53]

Hoppes 9 and 0000 Scotch-Brite.

 

[bearcatter]

You don't use the whole cloth at one time. You cut off a couple of patch size pieces and put the rest back in its bag. It lasts a long time.

I have some Birchwood cloths that have dried out. In the ziplock package, in a tupperware type box. They're 5-6 years old. They still work dry, but I usually wet the piece with Hoppe's to get it moist again. They seem to work good as new. I'd like to know what liquid they use, not sure from the smell.

 

[ngashooter]

I have some Birchwood cloths that have dried out. In the ziplock package, in a tupperware type box. They're 5-6 years old. They still work dry, but I usually wet the piece with Hoppe's to get it moist again. They seem to work good as new. I'd like to know what liquid they use, not sure from the smell.

My current one is dry too. You're right, they still work. I wipe the cylinder with a solvent wetted patch then hit the front face of the cylinder with the Lead Away cloth. The other piece I cut is for swabbing the bore if I have been shooting lead bullets.

 

[scubadad]

Wrap a piece around your bronze brush. Holds it in place and your thumbs will thank you.

 

[rmichael63]

I think it goes without saying but maybe not, the Birchwood product is only intended for stainless not blued finishes ...

 

[fixitagain]

I wonder what the chemical composition of the liquid is that they put on the lead away cloths. It's probably a caustic light acid.

 

[Efm77338]

Have you tried letting it soak in Hoppe's or something similar for a day or two? This seems to help me a a lot rather than just wetting it and scrubbing it. Letting it soak for a couple days helps loosen it up and it scrubs off easier, at least in my experience. I have large mason jars filled with Hoppe's and one with Bore Tech Carbon Remover that I use for such purposes.

 

[Skyhunter308]

Brasso on a Q-tip has worked well for me for years. Wet the Q-tip and rub out the burn ring. Once it's dry, you can buff it clean. Just be sure to run a couple of patches on a jag thru the chambers to remove any Brasso that made its way off the face of the cylinder.

WYT-P
Skyhunter

 

[gwpercle]

The burn rings are tough ... my favorite cleaner is J-B Bore Cleaning Compound .
It's mild abrasive , used with a stiff toothbrush , small brass brush and/or 0000 steel wool ... removes the burn carbon just like it cleans inside rifle barrel .
Cleanings leave the surface smooth and the carbon doesn't build up as badly ... easier to clean ... it works just like it does inside your rifle barrel .
Note , great for cleaning revolver chambers too ... any place you get a build up !
I've been using it for years on a Ruger Blackhawk 357 mag. that I also shoot 38 Specials in ...cleans everything right up .
Gary

 

[Blackhawk 5243]

I want to avoid abrasives as much as possible since I wonder if my 45 Colt cylinder had to be replaced by the previous owner being overly aggressive with abrasive cleaning.

I did try leaving Hoppes on for a few hours but no joy. Also, my wife is super sensitive to smells so I use Hoppes as little as possible.

I wonder if Brasso is harmful to Stainless or other components?

If someone figured out what the chemicals are on the cloth they could make a lot of money selling a bottle of it.

 

[mark40]

I have a tip. It works nice wrapped around a used up gift card, or piece of one depending on what fits.

Just cleaned my Model 63 after a range trip. The used gift card idea worked great. Appreciate the tip.

 

[rugerguy]

when you have an old scotch brite pad, well worn and all softened up, put a bit of "Flitz' on it and rub around the face of the cylinder, works well and the old 22 cal brass brush will finish up around the gas ring, just a dab of 'Flitz' on it

 

[Strawdog]

Get a can of "Never-Dull" ... Cleans up the rings on the cylinder without using an abrasive. Quick and easy clean up on Stainless Steel.