Ultrasonic

[glock20man]

I just acquired a 28-2 and was wondering if it was safe to take it to the funstore and have them run it through the ultrasonic cleaner? Thanks.

 

[diamonback68]

Perfectly safe after the grips a removed.

 

[glock20man]

Thanks. Just wanted to make sure since I have never used one and the 28 looks like it hasn't been cleaned in over 20 years.

 

[Fkimble]

Just be sure to relube it after the cleaning

 

[captken]

It all depends on what they are using in the ultrasonic for the cleaning solution. I use water and Simple Green in mine but others use a more caustic solution that will remove rust and scale. I've seen some use vinegar and water. Cleans really good but will start corroding quickly if the metal isn't treated shortly thereafter.

 

[glock20man]

I do not know what they use, but having spoken to them in the past, they said that the solution they use has a protectant in it and that they use compressed air to get the insides good and dry. I will call and confirm what exactly they use. Thank you to all for sharing their knowledge.

 

[glock20man]

Well took it to the funshop and I am amazed at the results of using the ultrasonic. Definitely a believer in how through the ultrasonic cleans. Solution that funshop used has a rust inhibitor in it, so a little oil here and there and it is as smooth as new. Thanks again to all for sharing your insight.

 

[jdh]

I usually turn the heater on about half hour before I put the gun in the tank. The water will get to just under boiling. The solution is the L&R brand cleaner. The hot soapy water will break up even years of old yellow hardened WD-40 residue. Then it gets rinsed in clear water, blown with 75 psi air, and put back in a second tank that contains a water displacing dry film forming lubricant.

(I wrote this 2 days ago just as my internet connection went out. I'm back up now so here it is, finally)

 

[DesertFox]

An excellent tool I use for cleaning guns and parts as well as brass for reloading.

 

[dfariswheel]

Just remember that ultrasonic will remove painted markings like white outline sights.
Depending on the cleaning solution this may take multiple cleaning cycles, or it can happen almost instantly. But, sooner or later the painted markings will come off.

Also remember that any solvent that will attack plastic, metal or gun finishes will do so faster in an ultrasonic.

Cleaners like Simply Green attack aluminum.
Vinegar attacks bluing as some people who took advice to use it to remove leading found out the hard way.

If you want to use ultrasonics, one of the best cleaning solutions is Cylinder & Slide Shop's "Dunk-Kit".
This is a bucket of cleaning solvent that leaves a rust preventing lubricant on the metal.
This eliminates having to rinse and dry the gun then apply a coat of lube to protect it from rust.
I recommend still using a gun lubricant to actually lube key parts.

Also remember that unless you're using a bore solvent as a tank solution, ultrasonics will not remove copper fouling.
No solution will remove leading. For that you still need mechanical cleaning methods.