Ultra Sonic Cleaning for gun parts

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SigScirocco

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I'm looking for feedback on using ultrasonic cleaners for gun parts. I've been doing some research and have spoken with Paul at Western Ultrasonics in Edmonton and can't think of anything better? Any information would be helpful. The one I'm looking at is approx $800 so want to make sure I have completed my research and consulted with the "experts"
Thanks, Shawn
 
I seem to recall that they're bad... For some reason...

I can't give you any fancy "proof" or quote any "legitimate source", but I know there's a reason that people don't use them. It may be because of finish damage, I can't remember, and I'm not willing to type it into Google just to appear that I know.
 
They are not bad, it is just that an ultrasonic cleaner still requires soap. Lots of soaps used in them by jewellers etc may affect bluing. If you use a soap gentle enough to be safe on the bluing, it will work, but not a lot better than just a bit of soaking and using a brush. We had one at work and put CLR in it, it had a heater and worked like a hot damn, but I would not put a blued part into that. Plus they may take off finish where parts touch.
 
Ultrasonic Cleaner

Perhaps you might give us your thinking on why you need an ultrasonic cleaner for gun parts. What is the objective here?

Why do you think that this method will be better than present cleaning methods?

Most gun parts move. To prevent excessive wear, they should be lightly lubricated. An overly clean part, not lubricated, will wear a lot faster.

If it is for bluing, there are cleaners for that. For general use, there are a lot more inexpensive methods and products to clean a firearm.
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Why I'm considering ultrasonic cleaning

From my understanding, ultrasonic cleaning is gently on metal yet cleans at a microscopic level. I first learned about it when working on Scott Air Paks for firefighting. Scott recommends this type of cleaning for the high pressure regulators (extremely tight tolerances). Jewellers use it as does the aero industry which leads me to think this would be by far be the safest and most efficient way of cleaning my STI Edge. When I was cleaning my Hard-Chromed Edge, I found it difficult to clean in all the tight spaces within the frame. Paul from Western Ultrasonic stated there is a cleaning solution that can be used which actually coats the parts with a protector. I would of course lightly add some gun oil on any moving parts. I know this might be considered overkill on cleaning gun parts but, like mentioned, was hoping on getting some feedback from Gun Smiths and anyone with experience in ultrasonic cleaning. Thanks again,
Shawn
 
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I have used an L&R Ultrasonic cleaner at work since 2001. We clean about 1000-1400 per year.....glocks, beretta, remingtons and AR's. Use a cleaner that warms the liquid or use warm-hot liquid when you fill it up.....cuts cleaning time significantly. Also look at the newer solutions....Hoppes Elite and Slip 725 cleaner are the ones I would go with. I have seen some cleaners remvoe finish. may have something to do with frequency of the sound waves. check with the mfgr before using.

Boltgun
 
We have 3 Branson units at work that run almost all the time. We use a L&R solution as well as one made by BioSol (SurfiSol 315). The BioSol is much cheaper and does just as good of a job. We clean thousands of pistols/rifles a year. Just don't leave them in too long, sometimes they start to get etched.
 
I have a small US parts cleaner I use it to clean brass but I have thrown any gun part that fits into the tank as well. Does a great job cleaning. Brownells sells a cleaner/ lubricant designed for US cleaning. I usually just use hot water or a bit of dish soap if there is a lot of dirt. Hot water so thart the heated metal dries quickly. Once clean I dry with a hair dryer to ensure all water is gone and spray down with either G-96 or Mil-tech 1 whichever I feel like using that day.
 
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