kimbershot
February 3, 2013, 06:56 PM
i have an awc amphibian integral--love it! has anyone used an ultrasonic cleaner to help eliminate the internal crap buildup? if so--are you satisfied with the results. i know simple green as a solution, is a no no for aluminum.
i would also use cleaner for a take apart can as well as gun parts and shell casings.
thanks
boricua9mm
February 6, 2013, 08:15 AM
I use a Hornady Magnum 3-Liter Ultrasonic tank. I bought it primarily to clean my stainless steel suppressor baffles b/c otherwise, it is a 2 hour affair of constant scrubbing with a wire brush. I think I paid somewhere between $220-250 for it.
I use 50/50 Purple Power and water. I put the tank at max temp (~150F) for ~45 minutes. After that, I pull the baffles and give them a scrub, then back in the drink for another 45 minutes and then reasess the situation. The process still takes a good amount of time, but it it is time I can spend cleaning the host weapons. On top of that my hands don't become arthritic like they would if I was scrubbing them manually for hours on end.
The tank is also useful for cleaning BCGs from ARs and I also use it to clean my HK trigger pack. For those items, I rinse them with water afterwards and make sure to dry them out completely and then relube all the metal surfaces to prevent rust. Works like a charm. You can toss 'em in while you do your suppressor cleaning if you've got room.
I can't give a 100% recommendation of the Hornady unit b/c the first one I had developed an electrical problem in the circuit board and it had to be replaced. Hornady only offers a 1yr warranty on these machines. They are made in China, so that's something to consider when you weigh the machine against the warranty.
Jay Kominek
February 6, 2013, 08:30 PM
I've run my M4-2000 through an ultrasonic cleaner with a variety of cleaning agents, just to see what happens.
Basically there seems to be too much internal volume which is trapping way too much crud. Didn't matter how long I ran it, there was still more stuff left inside.
Now I don't worry about it. Clean the threads. Let the multithousand PSI superheated gases clean the rest of it.
bill3424
February 7, 2013, 07:12 PM
I have a cheap Harbor Freight one I've been using for years. Considering how much I spent, it's more than paid for its self.
Gato Montés
February 8, 2013, 11:58 AM
Speaking of which, those HF sonics can be had right now for 59.99 with coupon, I'll dig it up if interested.