How to properly clean AeroTech casings

Hello. What is a successful way to clean my AeroTech 38mm casings after launch? Last time after launching it at a club, walking 3/8 mile to the rocket and getting it home hours later, it was a bugger to clean I used dawn soap and hot water and spend probably thirty minutes on it and never did get quite all the residue off. There’s got to be a better way. I’ve heard using baby wipes immediately on them is effective?

Wet wipes are great for pretty much all the motor hardware. I start with those to get most of the gunk, and then follow up with a motor cleaning brush from Chris' (https://csrocketry.com/rocket-motors/motor-cleaning-brushes.html) with a cheap microfiber cloth ($1 from Walmart for 2) around the bristles. This way, I can just soak and wash the cloth rather than dirty up the brush bristles. To get inside the threads, I also use a cheap toothbrush with 409 spray to "scoop" out the gunk in the threads. Wearing disposable gloves throughout keeps your hands clean too.

Any good BP foaming cleaner used for firearms works very well. Just spray it on, let it soak and wipe clean. Thompson , CCI and many others out there. I even think Easy off oven cleaner would work, but it WILL remove anodizing.

Along with the above-mentioned items that all work well. Having a well lubed case helps with clean up. Stopping the residue from wanting to stick in the first place is a good starting point. Along with cleaning as soon as possible. At the field a pack of baby wipes cleans it all the way. The next day always requires a lot more effort.

to echo Eric, properly greasing your parts prior to assembly goes along way.

for me, a soak in hot water with simple green and then some work with an old tooth brush is all that is needed.

I use a baby wipe or two wrapped around the correct sized brush. When I bought my brushes I went to a specialty brush store where I live. Having a rocketry vendor carry the brushes is way more convenient. As long as I clean the cases at the launch the gunk comes right out easily. If I ever get carbon spots I scrub them with a Scotchbrite pad. Blue Scotchbrite is rated for aluminum, but it often use the green pads which are slightly more abrasive.

Eric said:

Along with the above-mentioned items that all work well. Having a well lubed case helps with clean up. Stopping the residue from wanting to stick in the first place is a good starting point. Along with cleaning as soon as possible. At the field a pack of baby wipes cleans it all the way. The next day always requires a lot more effort.

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I spray the inside of all cases with silicone lube before assembly. That helps to provide a non stick barrier. I still use the Super Lube on the threads and at each end as far in as I can reach.

The best thing that I have run into for cleaning reloads is an ultrasonic cleaner. I have one for firearms work, it actually has gotten more use cleaning reload casings. I set it up as I would for gun parts, same cleaning solution, and preheat to about 120 F. Buzz the parts for 1 or two 15 minute cycles and then wipe away the residue as you remove the parts. No scrubbing needed.

Jim

Ditto on what Lucas (thatrocketguy) said.

baby wipes at the field, then hot water, dish soap, the brush from Chris's rocket supply, and a worn out scotchbright pad on a stick (It's actually the pad & sponge combo, cut small, then wrapped around a dull butter knife.)

I’ve been a baby wipe user since I’ve been flying rockets until Al Gloer showed me the Grim Boss hand wipes. They are more resilient then the baby wipes, don’t smell like a baby butt and work with a lot more authority. I picked up a pack at Home Depot for about $8 or so. These things are fantastic.

I echo using baby wipes, they also double as your in-van shower when sleeping overnight at a launch I smell lemony.......

1) buy unscented baby wipes
2) they will freeze in the winter..

Ultrasonic cleaner with hot water and simple green crystal. Rinse with fresh water and dry with a micro fiber towel. Sparkling clean.

Great advice. Thanks guys

I just got a 29-480 case back that I lost in October. I had to use my liner splitting tool to get the liner out. I let it soak in hot water and ajax dish detergent for a half hour or so then wrapped a sponge with the scrubber pad on the tool. That works well because it compresses inside the tube and the sponge keeps it on the tool. I used the scrubber pad to scrub the gunked on parts. 10 minutes and some elbow grease later, it was all clean.

For 54mm and larger I have various pieces of threaded rod with pieces of green scrubber pad clamped between fender washers. Put the rod in a drill and spin the scrubber pads up and down the tube with soapy water and it cleans them right up.

I know Apogee sells motor tube brushes that seem to work really well for inside part at least...

seth_cooper said:

Ultrasonic cleaner with hot water and simple green crystal. Rinse with fresh water and dry with a micro fiber towel. Sparkling clean.

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Just a note on the ultrasonic cleaner: my other hobby is class 3 suppressors. Ultrasonic cleaners are well known to change the crystaline structure of aluminum, weakening it in all cases, with even minor exposure. ALL manufacturers of aluminum cans will not honor a warranty on any failure related to ultrasonic cleaning (and they can tell and do routinely check, all it takes is a microscope and some knowledge).

While I'll grant you that firearms produce impulse and peak pressures greater than those experienced in our rocket motors, the fact remains that over time, ultrasonic cleaning will have an effect on the metal of your aluminum rocket case. Wether it's enough to make a difference, I'm not qualified to say. Just providing information.

An abscence of an accident is not an indication of safety.

YMMV

I just switched from Simple Green to vinegar, dramatic improvement! Did these in less than 2 hours yesterday:


Spray a 50/50 mix in the casing and brush, then rinse. Breaks down carbon deposits quickly. Drop your closures/seal disks in a small cup with pure vinegar, 5 min. later rinse them off.
Sorry for the sideways picture, darned cell phone.
Still use baby wipes for smaller casings in the field.

love the vinegar idea.

going to try that this weekend. provided that the launch isn't cancelled that is!

Don't forget that vinegar is a weak acid and if left too long it can harm the anodizing.

Banzai88 said:

Just a note on the ultrasonic cleaner: my other hobby is class 3 suppressors. Ultrasonic cleaners are well known to change the crystaline structure of aluminum, weakening it in all cases, with even minor exposure. ALL manufacturers of aluminum cans will not honor a warranty on any failure related to ultrasonic cleaning (and they can tell and do routinely check, all it takes is a microscope and some knowledge).

While I'll grant you that firearms produce impulse and peak pressures greater than those experienced in our rocket motors, the fact remains that over time, ultrasonic cleaning will have an effect on the metal of your aluminum rocket case. Wether it's enough to make a difference, I'm not qualified to say. Just providing information.

An abscence of an accident is not an indication of safety.

YMMV

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After trying a good half dozen or more methods (gun cleaners, ultrasonics, foaming cleaners, etc), I find baby wipes for the casings (using a brush to get inside) and (Walmart brand, cheap) vinegar soak for 24 hours on the closures and smaller casings works wonders for cleanup at very little cost. Wash in soap & water after the vinegar soak makes things look like new. No anodizing loss after years of doing this.

dshmel said:

View attachment 379628

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NOT TRYING TO TURN THIS INTO A DISCUSSION OF FIREARMS PARTS, just passing along information about ultrasonic cleaning and aluminum tubes.

To answer your question in a word: Yes (qualified as someone who has owned an AAC Pilot since 2004 and had warranty issues related to ultrasonic cleaning, something which was NOT widespread at that time but now is quite common). Most suppressor manufacturers (especially AAC and gemtech) specify the can, and others list the can, any aluminum end plates, and baffles (individual or mono-core)

This is the 'general' cleaning reference used in the can community: https://www.silencershop.com/blog/post/how-to-clean-my-silencer/

• Aluminum: Do NOT use ultrasonic cleaners, harsh solvents, or steel brushes/picks. To avoid permanent damage, only use safe chemicals and brass or plastic utensils.

Consult your can manufacturer for specific cleaning advice. YMMV. Dozens of YouTube videos put out by the manufacturers and distributors echoing the same thing.

Not be be repetative

Banzai88 said:

While I'll grant you that firearms produce impulse and peak pressures greater than those experienced in our rocket motors, the fact remains that over time, ultrasonic cleaning will have an effect on the metal of your aluminum rocket case. Wether it's enough to make a difference, I'm not qualified to say. Just providing information.

Click to expand...

grouch said:

I’ve been a baby wipe user since I’ve been flying rockets until Al Gloer showed me the Grim Boss hand wipes. They are more resilient then the baby wipes, don’t smell like a baby butt and work with a lot more authority. I picked up a pack at Home Depot for about $8 or so. These things are fantastic.

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Grime Boss Heavy Duty wipes. They work great out at the launch to get your cases ready for the next motor.

Grime Boss A544R10 Heavy-Duty Hand Cleaning Wipes, 10-Count https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0056EVHS4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Le.RCbZYAV1E7

Well, I've had good luck cleaning reloads with Goo-Gone and an old toothbrush.

For very large motors, someone gave me a great idea which I haven't tried yet. Glue thin kitchen cleaning pads onto a dowel, insert the dowel into an electric drill,, spray the pads with DW-40, insert into casing, and start the drill. Spin both directions.

You try it. My guess is you’ll spin off your anodizing.

grouch said:

You try it. My guess is you’ll spin off your anodizing.

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Hmm, he makes unanodized casings. I didn't think about that.

Steven88 said:

Hello. What is a successful way to clean my AeroTech 38mm casings after launch? Last time after launching it at a club, walking 3/8 mile to the rocket and getting it home hours later, it was a bugger to clean I used dawn soap and hot water and spend probably thirty minutes on it and never did get quite all the residue off. There’s got to be a better way. I’ve heard using baby wipes immediately on them is effective?

Click to expand...

Regular disinfecting wet wipes. Dry the casing with paper towel. Works best if done same day. The longer you wait, the harder they get to clean. I also put a bit of super lube on the outside of liners (but making sure it doesn't get where it's not supposed to go, like top of delay cavity). Makes it much easier to remove spent remnants of reload and to clean the case later.

grouch said:

You try it. My guess is you’ll spin off your anodizing.

Click to expand...

Blue scouring pads are rated safe for aluminum. Green pads are not, but that’s what I use and I’ve never seen a problem. Even if the color fades it doesn’t hurt anything. Remember, that layer of aluminum oxide is extremely hard.