Windex + vinegar for cleaning power?

[Gaznazdiak]

[Gamerancher]

Windex that has vinegar in it, ( it'll be written on the bottle ), has been a popular black-powder solvent for years in the U.S.
I've not seen it here in Oz, then again, I've not gone looking.

[sungazer]

I have never used any Vinegar in the solution. I think that is just the title of the thread and Vinegar should be considered on its own. I do put Vinegar into the mix when wet tumbling my brass. A squirt of dishwashing liquid, 1/4 cup Vinegar and either a squeeze of lemon or some Citric acid. that is for the 5kg one which can do 100 223 cases or 50 308 cases comfortably.

[Gamerancher]

Yeah, I get that, just saying what they use. The Windex with vinegar is how it comes. I've tried normal windex in my BPCR's and didn't like it, it seemed to promote rust.

[Oldbloke]

I've tried normal windex in my BPCR's and didn't like it, it seemed to promote rust.

What do u base that on? Just a feeling or did you run some sort of test?

[Gamerancher]

I cleaned the barrel with it,put it up for a while, ( couple of hours ) and when I ran a patch through it that came out rusty. Also, when I disassembled the action there was rusting in the nooks and crannies that hadn't been there before.

[Oldbloke]

Windex seems to be mainly water and methanol, could it be that the water. Is reacting with sulphur to create sulphuric acid?

[Gamerancher]

Water is actually one the best things to clean blackpowder residue with, it is water soluble. The downside is that it also promotes rust. Hence a lot of folks use a water / soluble oil mix to patch out with. The soluble oil protects from rusting while the water does the cleaning. The mix is similar to the cutting fluid you would use on a lathe or mill.
To get back to the point, if you are using Windex, be sure to dry up afterwards and use an oil / protectant to finish.

[perentie]

I used to be able to get Windex with vinegar in the local stores but it does not seem to be available any more. Just Windex.
I just use soluble oil with water now in my BP rifles.