Ultrasonic Cleaner Question

[AJ]

I picked up an Ultrasonic Cleaner last weekend at the local gun show. Price was right. My question is: what are you using for a cleaning solution. Have read 1/4 cup of vinegar, dish soap and water is one. Looked at Harbor Freight and the powdered stuff they sell has a corrosive warning on the label. What are you all using? If nothing else I just got the wife a large jewelry cleaner. TIA

 

[ken158]

Simple Green properly diluted with a dash of Lemi shine has worked well for me and I also use stainless steel pins. You will get all kinds of recipes from the guys here. After cleaning be sure to rinse in clear water and there are many ways to dry. I use a media separator to get the pins out of the cases and put the brass on dehydrator type air dryer trays. If you deprime your cases first your primer pockets will come out like new.

 

[Geno44]

Ken-Do you use the Simple green straight or do you use some kind of ratio with water?

 

[Richard Simmons]

Are you cleaning fired brass for reloading or gun parts? I’ve been thinking about getting an ultrasonic myself. Watched a video the other day where the guy put his cleaning agent and parts in a ziploc baggy then put that baggy inside the cleaner full of water.

It cleaned perfectly well without having to dump and clean the entire thing. He also used a glass jar with gasoline. The part and the gas were enclosed in the jar and that was submerged in the water. The gas can’t ignite and once again no big cleanup once you’re done.

Basically he was showing alternative methods to utilize the heating and ultrasonic aspects with less cleanup. From what I’ve read Simple Green does a pretty good job as Ken noted above. As a regular degreaser on my Milsurps I used Purple Power from Advance Auto Parts. Please keep us posted. Like I said, may get one for my use.

 

[g-dad]

Are you cleaning fired brass for reloading or gun parts? I’ve been thinking about getting an ultrasonic myself. Watched a video the other day where the guy put his cleaning agent and parts in a ziploc baggy then put that baggy inside the cleaner full of water.

It cleaned perfectly well without having to dump and clean the entire thing. He also used a glass jar with gasoline. The part and the gas were enclosed in the jar and that was submerged in the water. The gas can’t ignite and once again no big cleanup once you’re done.

Basically he was showing alternative methods to utilize the heating and ultrasonic aspects with less cleanup. From what I’ve read Simple Green does a pretty good job as Ken noted above. As a regular degreaser on my Milsurps I used Purple Power from Advance Auto Parts. Please keep us posted. Like I said, may get one for my use.

This is exactly how I've used mine from the start. I also use simply green undiluted.

 

[gwpercle]

Two Questions come to mind.

What exactly will you be cleaning ?

Did the unit come with any instructions on how to use it and what cleaners to use ?

Gary

 

[SF VET]

I only use my sonic cleaner for first cleaning brass cases, dry in the sun or a Horndady warm air blower multi-tray sort of device. I don't use it for firearms, as I can't be sure of getting every bit of water out of the small places. I use the Hornady concentrate diluted for my cases, rinse well, and go from there. Hornady also makes a cocentrate for firearms, which I have never used. I don't want a lot of suds so use the Hornady product for my cases. Seems to leave brass pretty bright inside and out, whereas just using a vibratory case cleaner only really polishes the outside of the cases, which may not be important anyway. SF VET

 

[Just another 22 shooter]

For brass, Dawn and a pinch of Lemi shine
For titanium and stainless suppressor baffles ,straight CLR.
DON'T use CLR on aluminum.

 

[bedwards]

Stupid question, but could you put a small firearm in a baggy of say thin oil or other non corrosive cleaner and submerge it in the ultrasonic cleaner?

 

[Patrick L]

Yes, we need to know are you cleaning guns, reloading brass, what?? So far I've only used an ultrasonic to clean brass. I'm trying to minimize my exposure to tumbling dust.


I've only used a commercial brass solution that you mix with water. It gives good results but I too am looking to try some home concoctions.

 

[Imissedagain]

Distilled water with Hornady One Shot or Dawn.
Just use it for brass.
Rinse the brass first in tap water as South Florida is a sandy beach.
Ours can heat the mixture, but prudent to follow the Sonic Cleaner's advice on that.

 

[AJ]

Are you cleaning fired brass for reloading or gun parts? I’ve been thinking about getting an ultrasonic myself.

This is what I bought, Lyman wants about $150.00 for theirs. I paid $60.00 for this one. I found the same machine at Harbor Freight for $89.00. It is the exact same machine just with a different name.

I clean my brass in a tumbler with walnut media. Just will be using the Ultrasonic cleaner to clean parts. Also maybe the wife's jewelry.......

 

[Rule3]

Simple green is a basic cleaner with Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner has a mild pH of 8.5 to 9.5. pH



So I don;t know why anyone would add Lemi Shine to it which is citric acid with a lower pH??


Water in Vinegar (acid) is a good cleaner but again depends on what is being cleaned??


Water, Lemi Shine and a little soap is good for brass

 

[Imissedagain]

I make sure primer pockets and hole are clean, as that area sometimes
needs additional hand work.

 

[Ματθιας]

I'd recommend not using regular Simple Green on aluminum.

Use Simple Green Aircraft & Precision Cleaner for that.

 

[offrdmania]

I use Simple Green Xtreme aircraft cleaner, its safe on aluminum, bluing and plastic. I dilute it 50/50 with water. My blued parts come out sparkling clean after two 20 minute cycles on full heat.

 

[cololab]

Stupid question, but could you put a small firearm in a baggy of say thin oil or other non corrosive cleaner and submerge it in the ultrasonic cleaner?

I've cleaned a number of items, including jewelry, by enclosing the items and any desired cleaning fluid in a zip loc bag and placing the bag in the plain tap water in the cleaner tub.

One caveat about some of these cleaners is to remove the water or cleaning fluid from the tub with a dipper and sponge or towel dry the tub. Purportedly the seal between the tub and the cleaner body is not very well designed and can leak water into the electrical components when the tub contents are poured out.

 

[offrdmania]

I've cleaned a number of items, including jewelry, by enclosing the items and any desired cleaning fluid in a zip loc bag and placing the bag in the plain tap water in the cleaner tub.

One caveat about some of these cleaners is to remove the water or cleaning fluid from the tub with a dipper and sponge or towel dry the tub. Purportedly the seal between the tub and the cleaner body is not very well designed and can leak water into the electrical components when the tub contents are poured out.

Mine has a ball valve to release the fluid once the basket has been removed.