Can Ultrasonic cleaning dull a finish

[FrankD]

I clean my SW M-41 pretty regular in an ultrasonic tank. When comparing my brand new barrel to the rest of the gun, there's a big difference in luster of the blueing. The barrel is nice and shinny with a rich luster. The rest of the frame now looks dull by comparison. Since the barrel hasn't yet dealt with ultrasonic cleaning, I suspect it too will dull out in time. Anyone else notice finish dulling on their blued guns from an ultrasonic cleaner.?

 

[MillCreek]

I have read on this forum and others that depending on the wattage of the ultrasonic transducer, and how long the firearm is cleaned, an ultrasonic cleaner can strip bluing and parkerizing right off.

So you may want to think about if you wish to continue using an ultrasonic cleaner on a blued firearm.

 

[hso]

An ultrasonic cleaner should not take blue of park off as they are surface changed finishes. It can take off paint or other non-pasivating surface coatings that are not adequately adhered to the surface though. It will pop old paint off like leprosy.

By way of example - The Wackenhut folks at the gvt facilities here have a Crest ultrasonic system (read "very powerful") and they clean their Sigs day in it day out, year in year out, without any loss of surface finish. I've seen the guns on the guards and in the armory (that was fun) and they are no worse for it.