Ultrasonic Cleaning?

[lowrydesign]

has any one tried using the method of Ultrasonic Cleaning? is it safe for guns?

[Booshanky]

I'm curious as well. I've got an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner I got for the wife but she's afraid it'll hurt her ring so she doesn't use it. Would I be crazy to throw some hoppes in it and some small parts that I hate cleaning?

[Rust]

Yes, I have used it, and yes it is safe if you don't let the parts sit in the cleaning solution to long as it will discolor some metals and finishes. There are different solvents you can use, so some may be better than others for different finishes, but I've cleaned brass, steel, nickel and chrome plated brass, and powdercoated parts without any problems in one. I don't know about filling it with hopes, but it would probably work fine.

[ccr]

ultrasonic cleaners have been used for guns by police depts and gunsmiths for years just make sure you use the proper chemicals and don't leave it in too long or it will ruin the finish

[maxicon]

I use an ultrasonic all the time on smaller parts - mine's not big enough for most of my frames, but sometimes I'll set the cruddy end of a receiver in there.

It works great on caked on grit and grime, and the crud explodes out of a Remington 1100 bolt when I drop it in. You want to be careful about parts rubbing against each other or against the bottom of the tank, as they do vibrate and move, and parts can get scuffed (if you care about that). Also, there have been reports about them loosening the tritium inserts in night sights, and they can take the marking paint off of sights and safeties - if there's a chip or peel started, the ultrasonic energy works it loose further.

I sometimes use a citrus cleaner, but often as not, I just use dish soap (hand soap, not dishwasher) and hot water, and it cleans stuff great with no damage or problems.

Once it's done, I blow out the parts with compressed air, and if they're complex assemblies, I'll leave them under a heat lamp for a little while to make sure the water's out of the nooks and crannies. It cleans all the oil and grease out, so parts prone to rusting have to be re-oiled or greased when you're done.

For cleaning jewelry, you don't want to use it on organics (pearls, amber), inherently flawed stones (emeralds or any heavily included stones), or hollow chains, but for standard clean gemstones like diamonds, sapphires, etc, it works wonders. Rings like this come out looking like new, with great sparkle, as it gets all the skin oil and daily dirt out of the prongs and such.

Note that the cheap ultrasonics from Harbor Freight work OK, but are are nowhere near as effective as a serious one. A $200 ultrasonic has dramatically different results from a $40 ultrasonic, IME.

[dgey]

I use one with every part that'll fit into the tank. Mine will fit a commandar size frame into it. I also don't use water but a a mixture of ATF, mineral spirits, kerosene and one other compound that escapes me at the moment. 8 minute max and everything is totally clean.

[Mr.RoDiN]

I use an ultrasonic all the time on smaller parts - mine's not big enough for most of my frames, but sometimes I'll set the cruddy end of a receiver in there.

It works great on caked on grit and grime, and the crud explodes out of a Remington 1100 bolt when I drop it in. You want to be careful about parts rubbing against each other or against the bottom of the tank, as they do vibrate and move, and parts can get scuffed (if you care about that). Also, there have been reports about them loosening the tritium inserts in night sights, and they can take the marking paint off of sights and safeties - if there's a chip or peel started, the ultrasonic energy works it loose further.

I sometimes use a citrus cleaner, but often as not, I just use dish soap (hand soap, not dishwasher) and hot water, and it cleans stuff great with no damage or problems.

Once it's done, I blow out the parts with compressed air, and if they're complex assemblies, I'll leave them under a heat lamp for a little while to make sure the water's out of the nooks and crannies. It cleans all the oil and grease out, so parts prone to rusting have to be re-oiled or greased when you're done.

For cleaning jewelry, you don't want to use it on organics (pearls, amber), inherently flawed stones (emeralds or any heavily included stones), or hollow chains, but for standard clean gemstones like diamonds, sapphires, etc, it works wonders. Rings like this come out looking like new, with great sparkle, as it gets all the skin oil and daily dirt out of the prongs and such.

Note that the cheap ultrasonics from Harbor Freight work OK, but are are nowhere near as effective as a serious one. A $200 ultrasonic has dramatically different results from a $40 ultrasonic, IME.

Everything maxicon said is true. I am a jeweler. Just be careful with the industrial ultra sonics and jewelery. Always use a net, because diamonds or other set gems, may get loose. Sometimes its actually the nasty lotion/deadskin cells and crud that is not letting the stones move. Also all stones may and can go through thermal shock. Sapphires, rubies and especially diamonds have a very hard molecular make up. But even these stones, when placed in a heated ultrasonic, and taken out and rinced with cold water, may actually crack. Emeralds and other softer stones like tanzanites or kunzites are more prone to this. On the topic of guns/ rifles, Ive heard aluminum parts/ such as receivers are a no no in ultra sonics. I hear the metal can warp or expand is this true? Ive always wanted to buy an ultra sonic. And guys please please don't spend thousands on the internet. There are jewelry supply shops in Downtown La in the jewelery district that sell em for way less. The sell nets, solutions everything. If anyone needs more info, Id be happy to help. But with an ultra sonic, I would also need an air compressor, and another heat lamp. Heatlamp is no problem, I have a red eared slider so I can use his, but I wouldn't know where to put the compressor. Also is it safe for polymer parts? Oh and if I were to buy a net, I would def buy plastic ones, they sell at these shops.

[mocos]

I am curious if an ultrasonic will remove the caked carbon in an ar15 bolt..its a bear to scrape all that out..

[moulton]

I am curious if an ultrasonic will remove the caked carbon in an ar15 bolt..its a bear to scrape all that out..

Slip 2000 Carbon killer does wonders on ar-15 bolts, hardly have to apply any pressure.

[mocos]

not familiar with that product....there was a slip 2000 automotive oil additive back a few years...and I am not clear how you are using this product...to clean with or to apply as a coating so the carbon does not accumulate inside the bolt where the gas tube directs the hot gasses.

[ar15barrels]

not familiar with that product....

http://www.slip2000.com/carbonkiller.html

[gazzavc]

Dental supply companies also sell good quality ultrasonic cleaning units.

One word of advise though. Ultrasonic units will heat whatever liquid you are using to clean stuff with, to a fairly high temperature. So be careful with anything flammable to avoid any combustion.

I use one at work to clean stone & plaster from dentures when we deflask them. After 20-30 mins. the solution gets bloody hot.

Gary

[megavolt121]

I am curious if an ultrasonic will remove the caked carbon in an ar15 bolt..its a bear to scrape all that out..

Yes. 5 minutes in the ultrasonic cleaner with Ed's Red Solution (google it) and 95% of the carbon gets removed.

Ed's Red rocks. Its a cleaner + lubricant that costs $40 for 4 gallons!

[mocos]

thanx for the info on slip2000 and the Ed's Red.... now, any recommendations for a ultrasound unit?

[otteray]

I use one with every part that'll fit into the tank. Mine will fit a commandar size frame into it. I also don't use water but a a mixture of ATF, mineral spirits, kerosene and one other compound that escapes me at the moment. 8 minute max and everything is totally clean.

Above missing ingredient from Ed's Red formula: Acetone