anyone ever use household ammonia....

D

DesertFox

New member
to clean copper fouling?

Most of the effective bore solvents have ammonia as the copper-eater... and cost $8 or $9 for a small bottle... Chemistry's one of my weaker points, but a little soap and a little ammonia cut with water would be way cheaper. Anyone know anything about home-brewed solvents?
 
The problem with strong ammonia is, it will remove bluing!

I have used household ammonia;
4oz. ammonia
1oz. dish soap
1 quart hot water

just don't let it sit on blued surfaces, and oil well after drying.
 
It's a little too risky for my tastes. I know it's commonly used in some
of the newer cleaners, especially the copper removers. I use it in Butchs
Bore Shine and Barnes Copper Remover, but prefer to use someone elses formula
not mine. It'll remove the bluing if you're not careful. I don't think we should
be experimenting with it unless we're chemically hip which I'm not. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal
 
I make my own and it works as good as any of the top brands. If you spill a solvent wipe it up. The only way it will take off blueing is if you leave it on there. My recipe is 1 can of GM top engine cleaner, 10cc of 29% ammonia (found at places that sell to people who make blue prints), 5cc of Marvel Mystry Oil, 5cc of peroxide.
DO NOT OPEN THE AMMONIA INDOORS FOR ANY REASON, IT WILL KNOCK YOU OUT AND CAN KILL YOU. I got mine from a friend who is a land surveyor for free.
 
I was a chemistry major in college, but I have to think about this a while. When you start mixing water soluble reagents with oil soluble ones, it is hard to predict what might happen.

I would not go there.

Water solubles in water are predictible.
Oils in organics are predictable.

You want to explore uncharted territory, go for it.

(Yes I know about alcohols)

Jack
 
I know a couple guys, both BR competitors that use a home made formula called "blue goop". Can't remember what all goes in it but the 28% amonia and some peroxide is part of it, and I know they put J4's in it too (which completely disolve and make the goop "blue").

- DAA
 
I can remember as a young kid my Grandad putting a cork in the end of the barrel and then filling the barrel with vinegar. He would let it sit for several hours and then pull the cork and drain. Right afterwards he would run several oil patchs thru the barrel and made sure not to get any on the blueing. I personally haven't tried this but did witness it and see that it did do a good job.
 
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