How to Degrease an AR-15?

JimNorth · Feb 27, 2019

I need to degrease an AR-15 without removing carbon. I'm new to the AR-15 having just picked one up. I see there are lots of videos with all kinds of ways to clean the rifle using many different products.

Can someone point me to the recommended way if there is one to 1) clean in general and also 2) degrease leaving carbon if that's different?

Thanks.

Pinecone · Feb 27, 2019

Why?

Why do you want to "degrease?"

Why do you want to leave the carbon?

Nanook · Feb 27, 2019

Watch a couple youtube videos. For 99% of my firearm care, a can of brake cleaner, a bore snake, and some Mobil 1 synthetic works well. A dedicated cheap toothbrush and maybe some q-tip cotton swabs for getting any residual gunk. There shouldn't be any grease on things you will normally touch on an AR.

Aventus · Feb 27, 2019

JimNorth said:
I need to degrease an AR-15 without removing carbon. I'm new to the AR-15 having just picked one up. I see there are lots of videos with all kinds of ways to clean the rifle using many different products.

Can someone point me to the recommended way if there is one to 1) clean in general and also 2) degrease leaving carbon if that's different?

Thanks.

Sounds like someone is going to, needs to take Chads class!

Magnumite · Feb 27, 2019

I know what this sounds like...curious to see where it is headed....

3paul10 · Feb 27, 2019

Ha! Calling on my mentor Chad....set him straight.

DutchV · Feb 27, 2019

Brake cleaner or GunScrubber will degrease in a hurry. Just don't get it on plastic parts.

LimaVictor · Feb 27, 2019

Nanook said:
Watch a couple youtube videos. For 99% of my firearm care, a can of brake cleaner, a bore snake, and some Mobil 1 synthetic works well. A dedicated cheap toothbrush and maybe some q-tip cotton swabs for getting any residual gunk. There shouldn't be any grease on things you will normally touch on an AR.

+1

JimNorth · Feb 27, 2019

I was told by John that Chad would inspect the rifle and that's how he needs to see it.

I don't know why exactly those requirements but I'm going through the process to learn.

Pinecone said:
Why?

Why do you want to "degrease?"

Why do you want to leave the carbon?

JimNorth · Feb 27, 2019

Thanks. I had read that the solvents in those products can damage some parts. So I was wondering if there's a recommended way.

Maybe take out the BCG cleaning it thoroughly and then wipe down other areas with patches that show grease.

DutchV said:
Brake cleaner or GunScrubber will degrease in a hurry. Just don't get it on plastic parts.

outrider58 · Feb 27, 2019

You can get aways with just wiping the gun dry. Don't forget to pull the buffer spring and wipe all that stuff dry to. Make sure to wipe every part and surface dry. That should be good enough. Run an oily patch down the barrel followed by a few dry patches to dry it.

You can go over everything with an alcohol dampened rag afterwards.

I've been to many of his classes.

JimNorth · Feb 27, 2019

That's a good point about the buffer spring. Thanks for reminding me.

outrider58 said:
You can get aways with just wiping the gun dry. Don't forget to pull the buffer spring and wipe all that stuff dry to. Make sure to wipe every part and surface dry. That should be good enough. Run an oily patch down the barrel followed by a few dry patches to dry it.

You can go over everything with an alcohol dampened rag afterwards.

I've been to many of his classes.

jrumann59 · Feb 27, 2019

JimNorth said:
I need to degrease an AR-15 without removing carbon. I'm new to the AR-15 having just picked one up. I see there are lots of videos with all kinds of ways to clean the rifle using many different products.

Can someone point me to the recommended way if there is one to 1) clean in general and also 2) degrease leaving carbon if that's different?

Thanks.

I mean really you cannot clean it wrong, use proper solvents to clean bore and BCG and anywhere else in the upper assembly with carbon fouling , leave the gas tube alone. Personal favorite is Hoppes #9 for everything except barrel, patch out for the barrel. Patch with mobil 1 down the barrel, mobil 1 dipped BCG with a layer of syth grease on the bottom and synth grease on the charging handle.

outrider58 · Feb 27, 2019

jrumann59 said:
I mean really you cannot clean it wrong, use proper solvents to clean bore and BCG and anywhere else in the upper assembly with carbon fouling , leave the gas tube alone. Personal favorite is Hoppes #9 for everything except barrel, patch out for the barrel. Patch with mobil 1 down the barrel, mobil 1 dipped BCG with a layer of syth grease on the bottom and synth grease on the charging handle.

He needs it dry for SOTAR class.

JimNorth · Feb 27, 2019

Yes, dry for SOTAR.

But I appreciate the suggestions for general cleaning and lubrication.

outrider58 said:
He needs it dry for SOTAR class.

Melnic · Feb 27, 2019

Why is this not a sticky on the SOTAR IP section?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7COK3Om8uk

outrider58 · Feb 27, 2019

Melnic said:
Why is this not a sticky on the SOTAR IP section?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7COK3Om8uk

Some were pulled recently. They'll be back, I would think.

Slowhand · Feb 27, 2019

I've been using KY jelly on my "AW-6". I need to "degrease" it now. How should I do that?

outrider58 · Feb 28, 2019

Slowhand said:
I've been using KY jelly on my "AW-6". I need to "degrease" it now. How should I do that?

Take a shower... :lol:

Bountied · Feb 28, 2019

Does anyone else grease their buffer springs? I use grease intended for the M1a bolt carrier group. It's fairly light and I think helps with cycling. I had a sticky buffer spring once and it was causing some issues with cycling.

How to Degrease an AR-15?

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