ammonia for copper removal?

mikeystew

mikeystew

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I was reading that strong ammonia 8-10% was suitable for removing copper fouling. Since i live no where near a sporting, or any store for that matter and suspect a copper fouling issue i'd like to try it. Does anyone know if this works and would wizard extra strength be ok to go with. also i know brass is a no no, but is a pure nylon scrubber alright? Thanks.
here is my source...

http://www.frfrogspad.com/homemade.htm#Copper
 
yeah - I would like to know this too. To remove lead I use 50/50 hydrogen peroxide/vinegar with an earplug in the muzzle and pour down thru the chamber and leave it sit for a couple hours. Not sure if the earplug will stand up to industrial ammonia either.
 
I'd love to know what the chemistry is behind the ammonia thing .... Not saying it's hogwash, just can't see how it would have any serious copper eating properties.
 
I do know the active ingredient in copper removal solutions is 6-7% ammonia, and on the wizard ammonia bottle it says "not safe for cleaning copper items"... so it would seem that it is good for fouling removal. im just cautious about unprecidented stuff like this. i like the earplug idea by the way. i'll test it out in a puddle of ammonia to see the effect.
 
Sweets 7.62 bore cleaner has 5% ammonia. Soak a patch and run it down the barrel, let sit for 10 minutes then dry patch it clean and oil it.
 
go to the hardware store and get some household ammonia in the cleaning section that will lift the copper. Plug and fill barrel soak overnight. It won't hurt steel but it might affect your stock finish. Be carefull.
 
Concerning chrome moly barrels...

After using ammonia, I always patch the barrel dry and then brush it with Hoppes #9... for longer storage the bore should be oiled.

Ammonia leaves the metal so clean and dry it is very susceptible to rusting. It is not the cleaning with ammonia that will do any damage, it is what happens when it is left and then drys out.
 
RobSmith said:
I'd love to know what the chemistry is behind the ammonia thing .... Not saying it's hogwash, just can't see how it would have any serious copper eating properties.
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Ammonia eats copper. Just ask any industrial refrigeration mechanic. Ammonia is used as a refrigerant (R-717 if I remember right) in large cold storage plants. You will not see copper/brass fitting anywhere, all black pipe.
 
oh yeah, it works! i plugged the muzzle with an earplug then filled the barrel with a turkey baster thats seen more action in the past couple days... and let'er soak for 1/2 hour or so. when i pulled the plug the juice came out like blue respberry kool-aid! i followed with chunks of a nylon scrubber brush rammed back n forth through the bore. after a few repetitions it looks like a mirror in there.
 
aletheuo said:
yeah - I would like to know this too. To remove lead I use 50/50 hydrogen peroxide/vinegar with an earplug in the muzzle and pour down thru the chamber and leave it sit for a couple hours. Not sure if the earplug will stand up to industrial ammonia either.
Click to expand...

Check this thread out before continuing to use vinegar/hydrogen peroxide: http://ww w.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=302919
 
guntech said:
And why would you believe that? It does not remove copper fouling nor does it harm a brush... and it is not listed in the ingredients of Hoppes #9.
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I'm no expert, but I believe it because ammonia is listed as an ingredient in the Material Safety Data Sheet for Hoppes #9 Solvent! :D This is from 2002 though, the formulation might have changed since then...

h__p://www.copquest.com/knowledgebase/MSDS_Hoppes_No_9_Solvent.pdf

The amount is listed as >10%, perhaps this low concentration is the reason why it doesn't remove copper fouling?
 
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braun said:
I'm no expert, but I believe it because ammonia is listed as an ingredient in the Material Safety Data Sheet for Hoppes #9 Solvent! :D This is from 2002 though, the formulation might have changed since then...

h__p://www.copquest.com/knowledgebase/MSDS_Hoppes_No_9_Solvent.pdf

The amount is listed as >10%, perhaps this low concentration is the reason why it doesn't remove copper fouling?
Click to expand...

If it is in a 2002 data sheet it is still probably up to date... the old formula was changed before that I thought.

The less than ( < symbol) 10% must be considerably less or perhaps rendered less effective by the other chemicals...
 
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