Ultrasonic cleaning solution
- Thread starter billyjoe
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Chief Sapulpa
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Is it designed for aqueos or petro/chemical solutions?
rbernie
Contributing Member
I have one of these - it's assumed to be used with water-based solvents. The stainless tank should be pretty stable with any solution, but the housing is probably not highly resistant to petro-solvents and I would not use petro-based solvents in it for that reason.
IMO, a second issue is whether the parts being cleaned are sensitive to certain cleaners. I use a Simple Green-n-hot-water solution in mine and it does a dandy job for most anything stainless or brass. Dunno how well park'ed/phosphated parts would do in Simple Green.
dfariswheel
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Unless you use a solvent that attacks carbon or copper fouling, most solutions will only degrease the parts.
If you use a bore solvent like Hoppe's #9 it will remove copper fouling and at least some carbon fouling.
To remove both carbon and copper fouling, as well as degreasing, you can use something like Slip 2000 Carbon Cutter or an automotive version of it.
It removes carbon fouling by simply soaking for 15 minutes, so I'm not sure what advantage an ultrasonic unit will be.
For standard cleaning you can use a water-based cleaner like Greased Lightning or Simply Green but READ THE LABEL. Simply Green attacks and seriously damages aluminum, and some cleaners can attack finishes.
Ordinary cheap paint thinner is a good degreaser, but it is flammable so you have to watch sparks.
You can also buy commercial cleaning and rinsing solutions from manufactures of ultrasonic units like L&R, but these are expensive.
When using an ultrasonic unit, remember that it removes ALL lubricant, even from tiny holes or crevices no other cleaning method will reach.
You have to be very careful about getting a coat of lube into all areas to protect from rust.
If you use a bore solvent like Hoppe's #9 it will remove copper fouling and at least some carbon fouling.
To remove both carbon and copper fouling, as well as degreasing, you can use something like Slip 2000 Carbon Cutter or an automotive version of it.
It removes carbon fouling by simply soaking for 15 minutes, so I'm not sure what advantage an ultrasonic unit will be.
For standard cleaning you can use a water-based cleaner like Greased Lightning or Simply Green but READ THE LABEL. Simply Green attacks and seriously damages aluminum, and some cleaners can attack finishes.
Ordinary cheap paint thinner is a good degreaser, but it is flammable so you have to watch sparks.
You can also buy commercial cleaning and rinsing solutions from manufactures of ultrasonic units like L&R, but these are expensive.
When using an ultrasonic unit, remember that it removes ALL lubricant, even from tiny holes or crevices no other cleaning method will reach.
You have to be very careful about getting a coat of lube into all areas to protect from rust.
Clemson
Member
We use Brownells part number 515-000-004. It is expensive, but it cuts the crud out of a gun better than a brass brush (without disassembly!).
Clemson
Clemson
dfariswheel
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Again, Slip 2000 Carbon Cutter is a water-based cleaner that will work fine in your cleaner.
Make sure to shake it well.
You can use it until it gets really dirty.
Another trick is to put an inch or so of water in the tank and sit glass, plastic, or metal containers in the water. Put whatever solvent you want in the containers.
The ultrasonic waves pass through the water and into the containers.
This allows using small amounts of extremely flammable liquids like Acetone or lacquer thinner without such a high risk.
It also allows using whatever you want in tanks that are for water-based cleaners only. As long as you don't spill the solvent on the outside of the tank, it works just like water.
Make sure to shake it well.
You can use it until it gets really dirty.
Another trick is to put an inch or so of water in the tank and sit glass, plastic, or metal containers in the water. Put whatever solvent you want in the containers.
The ultrasonic waves pass through the water and into the containers.
This allows using small amounts of extremely flammable liquids like Acetone or lacquer thinner without such a high risk.
It also allows using whatever you want in tanks that are for water-based cleaners only. As long as you don't spill the solvent on the outside of the tank, it works just like water.
You can use non-water based cleaners in you ultrasonic cleaner. Get a very large GLASS measuring cup. Put you chosen cleaner in the cup and fill the tank with water. The ultrasonic vibrations will go thru the glass, exciting your cleaner. When done you can use the measuring cup to pour your solution back into the bottle. You can find the measuring cups at Lab Safety Supply or Fisher Scientific.
idoono (but in this case I do)
idoono (but in this case I do)
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My ultrasonic cleaner
I use the ultrasonic cleaner to clean my brass. It takes less time overall, but you have to wait for the brass to dry. It works really good for cleaning not for shining. To get the lust, I use the tumbler for very short time.
Here is the video:
http://youtu.be/bKW4Ho_gEcE
I use the ultrasonic cleaner to clean my brass. It takes less time overall, but you have to wait for the brass to dry. It works really good for cleaning not for shining. To get the lust, I use the tumbler for very short time.
Here is the video:
http://youtu.be/bKW4Ho_gEcE
Jubal sackett
Member
I also use the sonic cleaner for mym dirty brass. I have been thinking on buying some Honady on shot sonic cleaner.
Is it worth the money on brass?
Is it worth the money on brass?
GIJOEL
Member
I use my ultrasonic for nasty range pick-ups and "premium handloads". I also use orange cleaner on steel parts in the ultrasonic.
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