I have an ultrasonic cleaner I use for spent brass as well as parts, but the solution is too expensive, what alternatives can I use to get the same or better results? I have heard that dawn dish soap or simple green work well, is that true? And if it is what proportion should I use? And does it have to be distilled water or will tap water work?
Ultra sonic cleaner question
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Never having an Ultrasonic Cleaner puts me at a bit of a loss of an answer with experience, however I can testify I am a HUGE Dawn and Simple Green fan! I use both quite often and they have not let me down. I'd say try the Simple Green first because the Dawn might suds up a bit too much. Depending on how dirty your brass is will determine how much you dilute the solution. Simple Green is my cleaner of choice to remove the carbon build up on the rock wall behind my built in BBQ grill. After a bunch of BBQ's the wall gets blackened and I use Simple Green at 50%-50% dilution to spray the rock down and use a scrub brush on. After scrubbing vigorously for a minute, I blot up the solution with a yellow Costco microfiber rag - that removes 90 - 95% of the black color from the bricks. I would think it would work well on cases too.
Dawn is meant more for grease and oil based dirt, but might work OK too. My first choice for brass would be the SG. Let us know!
Dawn is meant more for grease and oil based dirt, but might work OK too. My first choice for brass would be the SG. Let us know!
Electraclyde
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I have a Hornady, heated cleaner that I s probably 10 years old. I use dawn dish soap and a touch of lemon shine. I do not measure the dawn, and I do not re-use the solution. Brass comes out just like new. I do rinse in cold water before drying.
flgolfer29
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I found this recipe some time ago and it's worked very well for me.
1 quart of water
1 cup of vinegar
1 tablespoon of salt
1 tablespoon of dawn dish soap
I double the quantity listed above and it fits nicely in one gallon container for storage.
I rinse very thoroughly afterwards, adding baking soda to a container supposedly benefits the process during the first rinse. You can search your question on YouTube to find backup to what I've shared.
Edit to add: YouTube links next post.
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1 quart of water
1 cup of vinegar
1 tablespoon of salt
1 tablespoon of dawn dish soap
I double the quantity listed above and it fits nicely in one gallon container for storage.
I rinse very thoroughly afterwards, adding baking soda to a container supposedly benefits the process during the first rinse. You can search your question on YouTube to find backup to what I've shared.
Edit to add: YouTube links next post.
Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk
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flgolfer29
Member
Cleaning Brass for Reloading (Without a Tumbler) - YouTube
Homemade Ultrasonic Solution for Reloading (comparison) HD - YouTube
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Homemade Ultrasonic Solution for Reloading (comparison) HD - YouTube
Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk
I have had decent results using Dawn dish detergent. I have many containers full of various commercial cleaners. For small parts, I have a glass jar, I fill with one of the commercial cleaning solutions. I drop in the parts, and set it in my cleaner basket, and fill the tank with hot tap water, and off you go. The ultra sonic waves go right through the glass, to your parts inside. This way you only need a small amount of solution to get the job done. Heck, you can even use a zip lock plastic bag for your parts and cleaning solution. Just so it doesn't leak.
Back to Dawn dish washing detergent. It works decently, but not quite as well as the commercial solvents. I use it as a quick and dirty method for various parts cleaning in the shop. I can just dump it outside when I am done. I have never used Simple Green, but I know some love it. I have been told to be careful over putting aluminum parts in that solution, as it can etch and damage them, if left in for more than a brief time.
You may know this already, ultra sonic cleaning removes all oil, even from the pores of the metal, so an oil bath is immediately necessiary, to prevent rusting of metal parts. Also, never have parts or containers touching the bottom of the cleaner's tank. This can damage the transducers, and can actually wear through the bottom of the tank over time, due to the vibrations of the transducers.
Back to Dawn dish washing detergent. It works decently, but not quite as well as the commercial solvents. I use it as a quick and dirty method for various parts cleaning in the shop. I can just dump it outside when I am done. I have never used Simple Green, but I know some love it. I have been told to be careful over putting aluminum parts in that solution, as it can etch and damage them, if left in for more than a brief time.
You may know this already, ultra sonic cleaning removes all oil, even from the pores of the metal, so an oil bath is immediately necessiary, to prevent rusting of metal parts. Also, never have parts or containers touching the bottom of the cleaner's tank. This can damage the transducers, and can actually wear through the bottom of the tank over time, due to the vibrations of the transducers.
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Great suggestions here BUT do not use Simple Green if any aluminum parts are in the tank. You will not like what comes out afterwards.
DWalt
Member
Water. Maybe with a little detergent.
DWalt
Member
I have a small ultrasonic cleaner, but do not use it for cleaning brass cases. I usually use a solution of dishwashing detergent and citric acid (Lemi-shine) in water for the ultrasonic cleaner. I use essentially the same solution for brass cleaning.
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The Hornady brass cleaner concentrate uses one oz of concentrate per 40 oz of water. Not too bad price wise. Per directions, parts should use a different cleaner, but I don't recall they specify what. Check the website.
The label suggests the active ingredient in the cleaner is citric acid. ie. lemon juice.
Some idiot(s) used simple green on a couple of ARs. Did interesting things to the anodizing. Not recommended.
The label suggests the active ingredient in the cleaner is citric acid. ie. lemon juice.
Some idiot(s) used simple green on a couple of ARs. Did interesting things to the anodizing. Not recommended.
DWalt
Member
Citric Acid solution is a good brass cleaner. Lemi-Shine is Citric Acid plus anti-caking agent. Buying Citric Acid in bulk is much cheaper than Lemi-Shine, I buy it off eBay, usually 10#. But my wife also uses it in the dishwasher to keep water spotting off dishes and glassware, so we go through about five pounds of it a year. If you don't want to use it in your dishwasher, Lemi-Shine is a better deal, as a couple of tablespoons in a gallon of water is all that's needed for brass cleaning, and the solution can be re-used until it turns dark green.
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8shot
Member
FYI Don't use any vinegar in the cleaner to remove rust on blued gun parts...the bluing will be removed.
(Bluing is actually a rust process)
(Bluing is actually a rust process)
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Hot soapy water is the standard for removing black powder fouling. If your barrel is removable, put one end in a bucket of hot soapy water. Put a snug fitting patch on a cleaning rod, insert down the exposed end of the barrel, and work up and down. This will act as a pump, sucking the water up and down the barrel. This will clean out the fouling. The barrel will dry of it's own heat. Be sure to oil afterwards, to avoid rusting.
How much soap to how much water?
Also, what about other fouling besides black powder?
I'm trying to free a seized grip safety on a third model 38 Safety Hammerless.
Have personally seen Simple Green wreck aluminum. Would not use it on an aircraft however since I own no aircraft, a moot point...
Lou_the_welder
Member
I started using this for brass myself. Without an ultrasonic cleaner . I just use a clear plastic bucket to see how the cases are coming out.
I think I researched briefly the uses of vinegar. And saw that recipe.
For stubborn 44s that are smokey, I put them in a plastic bucket. Sprinkle some baking soda. And just pour vinegar in . Watch the magic. Then, when the bubbles dissolve. I do a shot or two of dishwashing soap. And a splash of water from the tap.
I may leave them in the bucket maybe 2 or 4 hours. Agitating every now and then if I'm not too busy.
Pour out the shells in the sink. It even clears clogged up pipes.
Vinegar is cheap. Cases come out clean. I use a plastic brush for the stubborn burns on the neck. They come out good.
BKLooney
Member
I use Super Clean in the water for general cleaning, motorcycle parts such as carbs, etc. For gun stuff including my suppressors I use dishwashing liquid and a little vinegar.
