Ultra Sonic Cleaning?

[Mr.RoDiN]

I know this topic has been discussed a few times, I use my search button! Anywho, I had a few questions, which were not covered.

1. Has anyone used MPro 7 as a cleaning solution? The reason why I ask is because I like using this product. Its pretty effective and odorless. I am Just wondering if it is effective in the ultra sonic?

2. I know Mpro 7 really degreases every part. Would this be dangerous to use? Will it cause rust, even if I dry and oil the gun right afterwards?

3. Do you guys heat your ultra sonics. I am a jewler and always have used hot ultra sonics. Now with jewlery it is necessary, but will it damage sights or other plastic parts on the gun?

4. Will the ultra sonic remove the paint of sights and or paint of the SAFE, FIRE buttons? I know night sights are safe to use in the ultra sonic, but if the ultra sonic is heated, will it then effect the sights?

5. Most of my handguns are polymer. Will the hot ultra sonic damage the polymer parts?

6. How many times can I re use my ultra sonic cleaning solution before I have to dump? I ask because they are quite expensive.

7. Any other recomendations for ultra sonic solutions? Maybe something oil based? This way I don't have to worry about rust.

Sorry for the long text. I wanted all the questions out in one shot.

[megavolt121]

I can't answer all of your questions, but I use the $99 Chicago Electric Ultrasonic cleaner from Harbor Freight with Ed's Red Cleaner.
I recently stuck all my pistol barrels inside the cleaner and turned it on the 480sec cycle. After about 3-4 cycles there was no sign of fouling. All I had to do was wipe it all down with a rag and and let the solution air dry from the inside of the barrel. I will reuse the solution until it turns dark dirty red.

Thoughts:
1) Do this outside. Ed's Red smells.
2) Leave the lid off. The fumes will melt away the cheap plastic lid.
3) I have yet to soak my Glock frame inside Ed's Red. I'll consider it if/when I need to when it becomes that dirty.
4) All in all, I like the Ultrasonic cleaner. The true test of how effective it is will come after the next time I shoot my AR and have to clean the bolt and bc.

[Mr.RoDiN]

Few more...

8. Anyone use L&G solutions before?

9. I notice they are using an Auxiliary pan. Is this necessary? Can I just remove the cleaning solution and add the lubricating solution? I notice the Lubricating solution remover water, but is the lubricating solution reusable?

[ryang]

I know this topic has been discussed a few times, I use my search button! Anywho, I had a few questions, which were not covered.

This disclaimer goes a long way towards getting good responses. But you knew that.

1. Has anyone used MPro 7 as a cleaning solution? The reason why I ask is because I like using this product. Its pretty effective and odorless. I am Just wondering if it is effective in the ultra sonic?

I have a Crest ultrasonic cleaner. They also sell a specific surfactant agent you add to water as the "cleaning" agent. Undiluted MPro 7 is overkill.

2. I know Mpro 7 really degreases every part. Would this be dangerous to use? Will it cause rust, even if I dry and oil the gun right afterwards?

My normal cleaning process (per manual) is to use the surfactant cleaner, rinse the parts in hot water and blow off with an air compressor before dunking in oil. You might see some very light surfact discoloration (rust) but it isn't the pitted/flakey stuff you're thinking of. There simply isn't enough time.

3. Do you guys heat your ultra sonics. I am a jewler and always have used hot ultra sonics. Now with jewlery it is necessary, but will it damage sights or other plastic parts on the gun?

The Crest unit has a heating element and I normally set it between 50-60 Centigrade.

4. Will the ultra sonic remove the paint of sights and or paint of the SAFE, FIRE buttons? I know night sights are safe to use in the ultra sonic, but if the ultra sonic is heated, will it then effect the sights?

Ultrasonics can remove some blueing or paint but you won't know until you try. Extensive use can also pit aluminum. Try putting a small piece of aluminum foil in for a couple minutes and you'll see what I mean.

5. Most of my handguns are polymer. Will the hot ultra sonic damage the polymer parts?

I believe the water would have to exceed boiling in order to do that. Water boils at 100 Celcius. Polystyrene plastic (which is a very soft material) does not melt at 200 Celcuis.

6. How many times can I re use my ultra sonic cleaning solution before I have to dump? I ask because they are quite expensive.

The Crest surfactant costs about $4 per diluted tank. Each tank is rated for 30 cleanings, but I've found the water becomes quite dirty after 15-20 so I change sooner than recommended. Even so that's maybe 25 cents per cleaning.

7. Any other recomendations for ultra sonic solutions? Maybe something oil based? This way I don't have to worry about rust.

After rinsing the part in water and blowing it dry, the last step is another ultrasonic bath in water-displacing light oil. This oil is so light a film on a pistol will evaporate in a day or two.

8. Anyone use L&G solutions before?

Sorry, never heard of it.

9. I notice they are using an Auxiliary pan. Is this necessary? Can I just remove the cleaning solution and add the lubricating solution? I notice the Lubricating solution remover water, but is the lubricating solution reusable?

My aux pan holds the water displacing oil and is designed to sit on top of the normal cleaning solution. Since the parts are already clean I've been able to reuse the same oil indefinitely. I just top off as it gets used.

[Mr.RoDiN]

This disclaimer goes a long way towards getting good responses. But you knew that.

I have a Crest ultrasonic cleaner. They also sell a specific surfactant agent you add to water as the "cleaning" agent. Undiluted MPro 7 is overkill.

My normal cleaning process (per manual) is to use the surfactant cleaner, rinse the parts in hot water and blow off with an air compressor before dunking in oil. You might see some very light surfact discoloration (rust) but it isn't the pitted/flakey stuff you're thinking of. There simply isn't enough time.

The Crest unit has a heating element and I normally set it between 50-60 Centigrade.

Ultrasonics can remove some blueing or paint but you won't know until you try. Extensive use can also pit aluminum. Try putting a small piece of aluminum foil in for a couple minutes and you'll see what I mean.

I believe the water would have to exceed boiling in order to do that. Water boils at 100 Celcius. Polystyrene plastic (which is a very soft material) does not melt at 200 Celcuis.

The Crest surfactant costs about $4 per diluted tank. Each tank is rated for 30 cleanings, but I've found the water becomes quite dirty after 15-20 so I change sooner than recommended. Even so that's maybe 25 cents per cleaning.

After rinsing the part in water and blowing it dry, the last step is another ultrasonic bath in water-displacing light oil. This oil is so light a film on a pistol will evaporate in a day or two.

Sorry, never heard of it.

My aux pan holds the water displacing oil and is designed to sit on top of the normal cleaning solution. Since the parts are already clean I've been able to reuse the same oil indefinitely. I just top off as it gets used.

Wow thats alot of info! Thanks for all the help. Last question, I promise. I think Kel Tec uses some form of epoxy or glue to attach the barrel to the receiver. Would the ultra sonic effect the SU 16 rifle in anyway?

[ryang]

I think Kel Tec uses some form of epoxy or glue to attach the barrel to the receiver. Would the ultra sonic effect the SU 16 rifle in anyway?

Sorry, I have no idea.