There are a handful of highly effective suppressor cleaning solvents on the market now, from brands like HUXWRX, C.A.T, and Mil-Comm. These cleaning solutions have made suppressor cleaning and maintenance much easier and more effective than the previous methods.
We have used each of these suppressor cleaning solutions. We'll share when to use each and why you might use one over the other.
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What is Suppressor Cleaning Solvent?
Suppressor cleaning solvents are specially formulated agents designed to break down the lead and carbon fouling that can build up in silencers over time. These detergents are extremely useful for keeping your suppressor clean and removing fouling, which, over time, will reduce your suppressor's performance.
Suppressor cleaning solvents are also made to target only the debris and build-up inside of the suppressor and not to deteriorate or ruin the silencer's finish, which could be an issue with generic cleaners not made for use on silencers.
How to Clean a Suppressor
Maintaining your suppressor is an important part of suppressor ownership to ensure excellent performance from your can.
Cleaning a silencer used to involve breaking it down as much as possible, scraping off lead, and scrubbing off carbon using harsh cleaning agents, tools, and elbow grease. It was doable, but it wasn't quick or easy.
Worse, common cleaning solutions could damage your silencer's parts or finish if you aren't careful or use the wrong solvents or methods.
Now, with purpose-made cleaning solvents, cleaning your suppressor is simple. There are two primary styles of suppressor solvents: ones you spray on and then wipe off and others you submerge the silencer in a cleaning liquid.
Best Solvent for Suppressor Cleaning
Determining which cleaning solvent is best for you will depend on the material of your silencer, the design of the suppressor you're cleaning, and the time/effort you want to spend cleaning your cans.
Spray-on solutions are faster but require a bit more work. If you've been looking for how to clean a suppressor that doesn't come apart, submerging solutions make it simple to clean your sealed silencer.
Let's discuss in depth which materials are safe with each solvent, give an overview of how to use them, and discuss the results we got with each method.
C.A.T 206
C.A.T 206 is a synthetic acid-cleaning solvent designed to work with titanium and Inconel silencers only. It is simple to use: Pour the solution into a glass or plastic container (if you have a C.A.T silencer, the case it came in is great for this), then drop your silencer in. Wait 3-12 hours, depending on how many rounds you've shot, then rinse the silencer with clean water and let it dry completely. You can use an air compressor or hairdryer to speed up drying time.
C.A.T 206 is incredibly effective. It quickly dissolves any carbon or lead deposited in your silencer and returns it to optimal performance.
C.A.T recommends cleaning at least every 2000 rounds.
Ultrasonic-compatible: yes.
NOTE: Not safe for use on silencers made of materials other than titanium or Inconel.
HUXWRX Suppressor Sauce
HUXWRX developed Suppressor Sauce to make cleaning 22lr silencers and sealed suppressors simple.
Suppressor Sauce is a multi-stage cleaning soak; Part A removes carbon, while Part B removes heavy metals like lead and copper.
The steps to clean your silencer are:
- Mix Part A with water using the included mix tube.
- Place your silencer nose down in the soak tube and add the solution; let it sit for at least two hours.
- Repeat this process for Part B, then rinse the silencer with clean water and let it dry.
Suppressor Sauce is safe for various materials and finishes and has provided great results for cleaning sealed rifle and pistol silencers.
Ultrasonic-compatible: not required (the soak process is its design intent).
MIL-COMM Suppressor X Cleaning Solvent
MIL-COMM is a leading supplier of metal treatment compounds and cleaners for the U.S. military.
Suppressor X is a 100% biodegradable spray-on cleaning solvent that is safe for use on any material. It can also be used as a gun solvent cleaner, safe for barrel cleaning and maintaining other firearm parts.
Suppressor X is designed primarily for user-serviceable silencers, including many rimfire and pistol-caliber silencers. For the best results, take your silencer apart and spray each baffle with Suppressor X. Let them sit for a few minutes. Wipe them clean with a rag or microfiber towel. For particularly dirty silencers, the use of a nylon brush may help.
Ultrasonic-compatible: yes, with dilution per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Breakthrough Clean Suppressor Cleaner
Breakthrough Clean Technologies makes a water-based Suppressor Cleaner formulated to dissolve heavy carbon and lead buildup while leaving short-term rust protection behind. The Breakthrough formula is marketed as safe for aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium, which makes it a flexible option for shooters running multiple cans across different materials. Silencer Shop does not currently carry the Breakthrough Suppressor Cleaner SKU, but it’s worth knowing about if you’re comparing every option on the market.
Ultrasonic-compatible: yes (Breakthrough also sells a dedicated ultrasonic concentrate).
Solvent Compatibility at a Glance
Use this quick reference before you pick a solvent. Material compatibility is the most common reason a cleaning attempt damages a can.
| Solvent | Aluminum | Stainless Steel | Titanium | Inconel | Sealed Cans | User-Serviceable |
| C.A.T 206 | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes (soak) | Yes (soak) |
| HUXWRX Suppressor Sauce | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (soak) | Yes (soak) |
| MIL-COMM Suppressor X | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited (spray-on works best on disassembled parts) | Yes (spray-on) |
| Breakthrough Suppressor Cleaner | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (soak) | Yes |
Always check the solvent manufacturer’s stated material compatibility against your suppressor’s manufacturer guidance before use. Coatings (Cerakote, anodizing, proprietary finishes) sometimes have tighter solvent restrictions than the underlying base material.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to clean suppressors with?
For the best results, we recommend using a suppressor cleaning solvent such as C.A.T 206, HUXWRX Suppressor Sauce, or MIL-COMM Suppressor X. These solvents make cleaning quick and easy, and help restore your suppressor to optimal performance.
How often do suppressors need to be cleaned?
Rimfire silencers get very dirty very quickly and should be cleaned every 500 rounds or sooner. Centerfire rifle and pistol silencers stay much cleaner and should be cleaned every 2000 rounds or sooner.
What happens if you don't clean a suppressor?
If you don't clean a silencer, lead and carbon build up inside it over time. The carbon and lead take up volume and change the internal design of the silencer, which can decrease performance.
What should you NOT clean a suppressor with?
Avoid brake cleaner, WD-40, ammonia-based bore cleaners, and generic acidic solvents. Brake cleaner can pit certain materials and destroy common silencer coatings. Ammonia-based and acidic cleaners can pit titanium baffles over multiple cleaning cycles. Generic gun oils and lubricants don’t dissolve carbon or lead effectively. Stick to a purpose-made suppressor solvent.
What is the best solvent for a titanium suppressor?
For titanium suppressors, C.A.T 206 is the go-to choice (it’s specifically formulated for titanium and Inconel). HUXWRX Suppressor Sauce and Breakthrough Suppressor Cleaner are also titanium-safe. Avoid acidic and chlorinated solvents on titanium; they can pit the baffles over time.
What is the best solvent for an aluminum suppressor?
Aluminum is the most solvent-sensitive material in modern suppressor construction. Stick to mild, non-acidic solvents like HUXWRX Suppressor Sauce, MIL-COMM Suppressor X, or Breakthrough Suppressor Cleaner. Do NOT use C.A.T 206 on aluminum; it’s formulated as an acid cleaner safe only for titanium and Inconel.
Can you use suppressor cleaning solvent in an ultrasonic cleaner?
Yes, with the right solvent. C.A.T 206 and Breakthrough Suppressor Cleaner work in ultrasonic baths. MIL-COMM Suppressor X works with dilution per the manufacturer’s instructions. HUXWRX Suppressor Sauce is designed as a soak rather than an ultrasonic solution, but the soak process delivers comparable results for most fouling. For the full ultrasonic process, see our suppressor cleaning guide.
Can you clean a suppressor with brake cleaner?
We do not recommend using brake cleaner on silencers; it can cause pitting on certain materials and can destroy common silencer coatings.
Do you need a different solvent for sealed (welded) suppressors?
Soak-format solvents (C.A.T 206 for titanium/Inconel cans, HUXWRX Suppressor Sauce for any sealed material) are the right choice for sealed suppressors that can’t be disassembled. Spray-on solvents like MIL-COMM Suppressor X work best on user-serviceable cans where you can access individual baffles.
Conclusion
Maintaining your suppressor's performance and longevity is crucial, and using the proper cleaning solvent can make this process much easier and more effective.
Whether you choose C.A.T 206 for its specialized use with titanium and Inconel silencers, HUXWRX Suppressor Sauce for its comprehensive cleaning stages suitable for all materials, or MIL-COMM Suppressor X for its versatility and biodegradability, each will help keep your silencer running at its peak performance.
By incorporating these advanced cleaning solutions into your maintenance routine, you can ensure your suppressor remains in optimal condition and provides reliable performance for years to come.
