Ultrasonic Cleaning

I used a Crest model at work for a few years. They work very well.
However, they are very expensive for a good setup. The unit I had was about $2500.00. I use a 20 gallon parts washer, purchased at Busy Bee for $113.00, in my shop at home and find it to be nearly as effective. I like the ultrasonic and wish I had one but I don't think it's enough better to make me kick out a couple of grand extra. I'm talking about rifle sized units. I don't know how effective the little ones are.
Regards
 
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I have used the L&R system for a few years and it does work well. Can't rely entirely on the fluid though. You need to make sure you follow the directions closely and make sure you do a factory recommended lubrication afterward.

Boltgun
 
For the most part, they do a good job. But in some of the smaller holes and channels, they will pack the dirt in making it extremely difficult to remove.

RePete.
 
RePete said:
For the most part, they do a good job. But in some of the smaller holes and channels, they will pack the dirt in making it extremely difficult to remove.

RePete.
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Turning the piece frequently so that channels and hole are not always pointed bottom down will eliminate this problem

One thing to bear in mind also is that many of the commercial cleaning solutions are also water based and it is important that the piece be thoroughly rinsed ad lubricated under this circumstance. Having compressed air to dry the piece between steps is very useful.

Another thing to bear in mind: Some metals do not do well in ultrasonics. I've seen metals left in ultrasonics for too long and they develop micorporous pitting. Probably you would not observe this in ordinance grade steel without leaving it in for a very long time, but it seems to develop fairly rapidly in materials like aluminum and brass and I would not care to speculate on what that does to the structural integrity of the piece.

All that being said, if you use appropriate care with them then they can be very useful. Not just for cleaning guns, but also metallic watchbands, jewelry, small car parts, etc...

The smaller sorts that you can buy via from jewelry supply stores generally run around $200 and are suffienct for handguns, etc... Ones for long-guns would be the industrial types. Smoji mentioned these cost around $2500.

The smaller one I have - a generic one I bought used from a jewelry store about 10 years ago - I barely ever use. Since to use it a pistol has to be thoroughly cleaned and lubricated after anyway, it's just an added step for me.
 
I bought a small one off ebay for around $50 I use it mainly for parts but you could get a handgun in it. Like it has already been mentioned it is a good idea to dry it thoroughly and lube it good afterwards. Some serious benchrest shooters clean there brass with ultrasonics its the only way to get the inside of the case shiny.There are a few recipes for the cleaning solution for brass. I can't find the link for the fellow who came up with it but I do have them written down if someone needs them.
Dave
 
I'm using one of my dad's recycled dental units. Its a small ultra-sonic cleaning, big enough to do 2 slides/barrels but not a whole frame. Works great.
 
http://wmporter.com/ugc/

This is an excellent article on UC cleaning and making your own version of Dunk-it on the cheap.

I just bought a UC off eBay and am looking forward to using it - its big enough for doing a of couple of guns at the same time...
 
Hoppes #9 plus an electric toothbrush...

If you rinse it carefully you can brush your teeth with it afterwards!
 
Well, I got the unit delivered Friday and went out and bought the materials to make a 7.5 gallon batch of Ed's Red. I did my XD40 and my 1911 in. I did the barrels multiple times and I actually got ALL the lands completely clean. I also took the grips off and did the frames (well, the 1911) and ensured I rotated the parts in the bath. I had no accumulation of any kind and it got right into the small hard to reach spots as well.

I was concerned with the XD slide - the parkerizing on the XD slide appears to be very weak (I accidently wiped nitro solvent on it once and it lightened the finish) but I found that there were no problems. I did leave the acetone out of the receipe as I felt the ultrasonics should be more that adaquet to clean. I inspected all the parts carefully for any kind of micropore damage but could see none.

The ultrasonics really penetrates the metal surface. When I took out the parts and wiped them down, I then left them evaporate the mineral spirits and kerosene and to weep any excess Ed's Red and weep then did! I put them away and a day later looked at them and the metal surfaces appear to be very well oiled and penetrated.

So, going for the gusto, I separated my upper and lower on my AR15, removed and dismantled the bolt, and suspended everything in the tank - it all fit within 1/16 of an inch - and did a good cleaning. The trigger assembly looked brand new and the all too hard to clean chamber area was squeeky clean too. Again, the oil penetration seems fantasticly thorough without being too much. It certainly beat scrubbing with ammonia based solvents.

I drained the Ed's Red into two large gasoline jerry cans (plastic). One benefit of leaving the acetone out is the storage of the media is much safer and easier - no need for a metal container. I ran the Ed's Red through a coffee filter while draining it and a light layer of soot remained on the filter. The drained tank bottom was another story - my lord, you should have seen the shyte that came off the guns - flakes of brass, copper, sand, a light grit and carbon powder. I wiped that out with shop rags and put then out to dry.

All in all I am pretty happy with the result. Was it worth the expense? Well the Ed's Red will last quite a while ($80 in materials). The unit cost me $600 after everything said and done (shipping, UPS border rape, etc) and the unit is a very large one compared to the more inexpensive ones you get for jewelry. Being able to do my AR15 top to bottom is a huge bonus. So yeah, it was worth it for me, but YMMV. Yes, I could have bought another pistol with that expense oh well.

Hey if you're near Tottenham, I'd be glad to do your gun for $10 - try and make back some of my cost. I'm sure you'd be happy with the result. PM me if interested.

Cheers all.
 
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agit-prop said:
Hoppes #9 plus an electric toothbrush...

If you rinse it carefully you can brush your teeth with it afterwards!
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your supposed to rinse it after ? seesh and all these years i havent bothered with that :eek:
 
Ultrasonic cleaning comps

Anybody tried to clean a .38Super compensator with their UC unit?

If it worked well without disrupting LockTite or plating that would make a small unit a real bargain.
 
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