Best Solvent for Removing Carbon

Our team independently selects, reviews, and identifies the best products. We may earn affiliate commissions on purchases made from links on this page. Read about our links here. This post was updated on July 13, 2024

Owning an automobile or any other equipment is one thing, and maintaining it is another.

Your car engine, for instance, needs to keep running perfectly, and there is a lot to do than change parts and engine oil.

With some maintenance practices, you do not have to keep changing parts. It is possible to restore some of them by just cleaning.

Combustion chambers will lead to the accumulation of carbon compounds. The deposits can undermine the performance of your car, cooking appliances, or other equipment such as guns and ammunition once they become carbon fouled. Besides, build-ups such as carbon do not look good on the surfaces.

Solving this problem starts by getting the best solvent for removing carbon.

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Best carbon remover for engines

Although you will benefit from carbon cleaning, not all solvents out there will do the job right for you. Manufacturers use various chemicals that deliver different performances. Besides, you need a remover that is not only tough on carbon deposits but also comfortable to use.

We prepared a review of the three best solvents for removing carbon that anyone can have in 2020.

1.Best Overall- Bore Tech BTCC-35016 C4 Carbon Remover

Bore Tech is a quick and effective solvent that gets rid of the heaviest carbon accumulations without posing any hazards to the user.

Bore Tech BTCC-35016 C4 Carbon Remover, 16 oz
  • Ideal For Barrels, Throats And Chambers, Ar Bolt And Bolt Carriers, Flash Suppressors, Compensators, Revolver Cylinders, Gas Pistons
  • Country Of Origin: United States

The carbon remover does not contain toxic substances and odors that are common with some solvents. It is an ideal solution for cleaning Gas pistons, Throats and Chambers, Revolver Cylinders, Bolt Carriers, and Barrels, among other surfaces where carbon deposits occur.

The solvent also rids of corrosive elements found in black powder and military ammunition.

Bore Tech carbon remover penetrates even the smallest openings, leaving your firearm appearing factory new.

Pros

  • Odor-free
  • Non-hazardous
  • Neutralizes corrosive salts

Cons

  • Can be damaging to phosphate barrels

Why We Liked It: Bore Tech Carbon Remover is not only environmental-friendly but also safe and comfortable to use being odor-free. You will love riding carbon of the hard-to-reach areas of your gun without having to scrub.

2.   Premium Solvent- Slip2000 Carbon Killer-

If you want to rid of baked carbon and lead from your firearm, Slip2000 Carbon Killer is a good companion.

Slip 2000 Carbon Killer 4oz.
  • An Aggressive Water-Based Cleaner That Was Specially Created To Remove Nasty Carbon, Lead And Plastic buildup From All Your Metal Gun Parts
  • Keeps Working Even When It Becomes Dirty. If Stored Properly, One Jar Can Be Used Again And Again, Providing Many Cleanings
  • Reduces Cleanup Time
  • Works Great On Any Metal Gun Part

The solvent dissolves the two compounds on contact. It is designed to clean the internal parts of your gun by soaking aggressively. It works perfectly on bolts, carriers, compensators, Forcing Cones, Gas Pistons, Flash Suppressors, Silencers, Bores, Revolver Cylinders, among others.

What’s exciting about the solvent is that it is reusable as it can work even when it looks dirty from the previous application.

Since the solvent dissolves carbon, lead, and even plastic on contact, you do not have to keep waiting on it for long.

Pros

  • It is reusable
  • Reduces clean up time by 75%
  • It is scented

Cons

  • Can only be used to clean the internal parts of a firearm

Why We Liked It: We loved the solvent’s ability to dissolve carbon on contact. Further, it can clean multiple times and is thus cost-effective.

3.      Great Value- CARBON-OFF! Heavy Duty Carbon Remover

CARBON OFF is a tough solvent that rids of baked carbon from metal surfaces.

Discovery CARBON-OFF! Heavy Duty Carbon Remover (Liquid), 1 quart, 1 count, 10132
  • CARBON-OFF! is a powerful gel that dissolves carbon buildup from metal surfaces
  • Spray or brush on, let set 15 minutes to overnight, depending on the amount of buildup to be removed, then rinse under cold water with a brush or scrubbing pad
  • CARBON-OFF! works quickly and easily saving time and labor
  • Due to VOC regulations, not available for sale in California or Utah
  • Made in the USA!

It works perfectly on Stainless Steel, Nickel Steel, Roasting Grills, Stove Parts, Sheet Pans, Deep Fryers, Broilers Pots, Kettles, and Pans, among other surfaces. It works quickly and easily, although depending on the amount of carbon to be removed.

You simply spray on the surface and leave it for between 15 minutes to overnight based on the amount of carbon, then scrub the carbon under cold water.

Pros

  • It is safe on aluminum
  • Works fast
  • Free rinsing

Cons

  • Can only be used on cold surfaces
  • The spray produces strong fumes

Why We Liked It: You will love having CARBON OFF Heavy Duty Carbon Remover in your kitchen. The solvent takes care of all the various carbon accumulations on your kitchen appliances ranging from pans, kettles, stove, and roasting grills, among others.

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Best Solvent for Removing Carbon Buying Guide

Everyone will love it when their purchase turns 100% fruitful. However, what the majority do not know is that it all depends on individual effort. If you are looking to buy any product, in-depth research is necessary.

Carbon is a common compound that makes people often have cleaning needs to address. It is not a new occurrence in the kitchen, on kitchen utensils, guns, and cars, among others. To ease the problem, different manufacturers have presented their products, and they all vouch for their piece as the best, making deciding what to buy quite confusing.

We prepared a mix of the key features and considerations to help you identify the best solvent for removing carbon.

Determine What You Want to Clean

Although some solvents have a wide range of applications, some will not be suitable for certain cleaning needs. What you can use on guns and cars may not be appropriate for use in the kitchen. Besides, some have odors and scents that are unhealthy for use in the kitchen, or any other enclosed place. Let the item you want to clean be in your mind before picking a solvent.

The item to be cleaned also dictates the amount of solvent required. A buyer who wants to clean a gun will require a lesser amount of the best solvent for removing carbon than one who seeks to rid of deposits from car parts.  

Is It Liquid or Spray?

The solvents come as dipping can or aerosol sprays. Your cleaning needs will help you decide which of the options will work best for you. However, a spray is a better bet for items like guns that have tiny openings and hard-to-reach areas. Viscous liquids may not clean the hard-to-reach areas effectively, and they also require more time.

Does It Act Fast?

You probably do not have the whole day for cleaning, so a solvent that dissolves carbon fast would be the right choice.

Is the Solvent Safe?

Most of the products caution against consuming them, although the danger does not only lurk on the user but the equipment to be cleaned as well. The products are chemical compositions, and some are corrosive and flammable. Also, odors or scents can affect different people differently. It will not be advisable to sniff on every can but have this in mind while shopping. A non-flammable and non-corrosive solvent would be your best pick.

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Read Reviews

If it’s your first time buying a carbon remover, there is no better way than hearing from someone who has used a certain product before. Reviews help you gain confidence in a solvent, depending on what past users say. You can look for those who used the product for the same purpose you intend and get to know how effective it was for them.

Most solvents perform the primary function of removing carbon, although others can still work on oils and grease. However, if the remover can do what you want, you are good to go.

In our review, Bore Tech BTCC-35016 C4 Carbon Remover carried the day. The solvent works perfectly on tough carbon and can reach small openings, and is 100% safe for the user and the environment.

The carbon remover is ammonia-free and thus odorless and neutralizes any corrosive salts that can be on the surface.

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