Cleaning parts with ultrasonic cleaners

[MiniMe]

Hi CGN

I'm new to ultrasonic cleaning, so any suggestion is welcome.
What kind of solution are you using for cleaning guns and gun parts?
Found a few over the counter solutions, but they only mention Steel and Stainless Steel, so not sure if it would damage any plastic part or finish, even though it is made for gun parts cleaning?
Also found a few recipes with Simple green, dawn dish soap, etc.

Thanks

MnM

 

[dracbec]

Subscribed. I'm in the same vote just got one myself.

 

[DarrenB]

I've been using an ultrasonic cleaner for a few years now on a variety of materials.
I would recommend Micro-90 as a cleaning solution as it is safe for ferrous metal and plastics.
It's not suitable for magnesium, aluminum, or zinc, for those metals a solution using a mild soap (Dawn, etc.) to relieve surface tension works just fine.
DO NOT use a cleaner with ammonia in it for blued parts or it will harm your finish.
I also use water that has sat for a few days to de-gass in my solutions as I find that it works better than water straight from the tap.

 

[phillyblt]

I'm thinking about getting one. Very interested

 

[baldabe]

I've been using "moosemilk" or ballistol and water mixture in my small ultrasonic cleaner. It does go bad so keep an eye on that.

 

[gap599]

I find dawn dish soap works as good as anything

 

[45CAT]

Anybody use distilled water ?

 

[AikiNut]

I used to use a citrus based cleaner, diluted. Followed by water. Then compressed air to blow the stuff dry, then a hait dryer on high or a heat gun on low to warm the parts up and make sure that all the moisture was gone. After that, light gun oil on moving parts and reassemble

 

[Mightymoose410]

Yes to the distilled water. I also use the "degas" function on my hornady lock and load when using fresh tap water. I have had excellent results using simple green

 

[DarrenB]

Deionized water is what I've found most effective. It's available in auto part stores for mixing with coolant.

 

[redruns]

tap water

I've used it on very small hard to clean parts, drafting pen tips (back in the day) and jewelry with good results.

 

[Reeferman]

Anyone try using Hoppes or Ballistol?

 

[yorgi]

Recently watched a YT video of the guru of all small engine mechanics, donyboy73. To clean carbs, he uses a 90/10 mix of Zep citrus cleaner with Dawn dish soap. He claims it cleans just as well as the more expensive commercial stuff.

 

[peterf]

I use half simple green and half water. It does a good job.

 

[AikiNut]

Recently watched a YT video of the guru of all small engine mechanics, donyboy73. To clean carbs, he uses a 90/10 mix of Zep citrus cleaner with Dawn dish soap. He claims it cleans just as well as the more expensive commercial stuff.

this is pretty much what I use, but quite dilute in water... cheap and effective.

 

[RePete]

I use the Lyman cleaner for all my handguns including Glock frames. Tried the Hornady solution and found that it didn't clean as well as the Lyman.

I have been doing this for almost 10 years.