Hand Held Steam Cleaner....Great!

[John Rogers]

On another forum devoted to black powder muzzle loaders one of the very old members mentioned he used on of the small hand held steam cleaners to put steam in the powder barrel to clean out any sludge and goop that would collect there, especially before an important match. So I thought for $29.95 doe the X-Tech steamer from Walmart why not give it a try. Last week before our annual muzzle loader match I hooked it up and hooked a tube to the nipple and good grief did a lot of sludge come out the muzzle of the long rifle! The gun had been cleaned well (I thought?) the weekend before but I suppose the bottom of the breech area does not get cleaned!

The match went great with no hang fires or other issues and I also used it after the match and the barrel is squeaky clean not. I used some oil before the barrel cooled as it gets really hot and no flash rust!

This afternoon I also tried it on some areas of my little Chevy 2.4L engine that degreaser never gets clean AND bang no more sludge or goop build up! Kind of reminds me of the steam cleaners I see at truck stops where they clean those big diesels. I wish I had it when I had my Rolling Block and long range Sharps as the firing pin and blocks would get fouled up and I would have to disassemble everything!

If you try one remember things get VERY HOT. Oil things before flash rust starts (still warm) and use distilled water so no sludge buildup in the steamer. Do not get it on stock finish as it will strip it right off!

[fanaudical]

I've got a small steam cleaner with a flexible wand initially designed for house-hold cleaning chores (tile and grout and stuff). It does wonders for small engine parts!

[cstreit]

Never thought about this application. Gonna try that on the .223 barrel!

[John Rogers]

From what a few of the old timers who have used one for years they do not remove copper or lead fouling. Make sure to oil the parts so no rust forms and be careful of any type or painted finish as it might come off. On an AR-15 it would be great for cleaning the bolt assembly!

[SiberianDVM]

Back in the Stone Age when I was in the Army National Guard, I cleaned the breech assembly of my M-16 with a steam cleaner wand (Engineer HQ company). It was going great until I got caught. Armorers have no sense of humor.