I just got my 223 broke down and ready to clean. My uncle has a vat and we are going to dip them ourselves to save some money. He suggested using caustic soda but after calling around that stuff seems to have fell off the face of the earth. So I need some suggestion. Thanks for your help

 

Caustic soda is just another name for lye. Its sodium Hydroxide and can be found very easy if you know where to look! It is sold in white containers as drain opener ACE hardware always has it but you won't find it at the big box stores. You can even find it at some grocery stores and drug stores its sold for opening drains.

 

Another name for caustic soda is Sodium Hydroxide. Red Devil drain cleaner is 100% Sodium Hydroxide. You can buy it at ACE Hardware stores. Keep it off of any aluminum parts.

As an alternative, consider using spray on oven cleaner. Easy-Off contains methylene chloride and will dissolve carbon and grease (rubber gloves and safety glasses required).

Dan

 

Also I did forget that at Home Depot you can get ZEP brand "heat" crystals drain opener its 40% hydroxide so you will need more of it but it is an option for you. I used it once in my parts hot tank with good results. It really likes being at about 190 degrees. this is what it looks like Zep Professional | Zep Crystal Heat Drain Opener