Anyone using an Ultrasonic Cleaner?

[2AFriend]

Hi,

I've been considering dipping my big toe into the world of ultrasonic cleaners. Specifically, using an ultrasonic cleaner for cleaning the toys we like to use at the range. It seems like there's a LOT of misinformation online so I thought I'd ask here.

(1) What type of cleaning solution do you use and why? I've been reading that some are better than others. Many have said that cleaning solutions like Simple Green or "Purple Power" or "Purple Magic" are the cat's meow OR that they are either caustic to the metal (e.g. aluminum-framed) in the toys and/or harmful to the finish (e.g. blued or nickeled). I'm not sure what the truth is! A buddy of mine uses either a 90/10 Ballistol/water mix or a 80/20 Ballistol/water mix and has been pleased with it. His reasoning is that the minimal water will evaporate if the solution is hot enough while cleaning and leave a thin film of Ballistol to protect the metal and inner workings of the toys. His logic seems sound . . .

(2) Regardless of cleaning solution used, has ultrasonic cleaning negatively affected any toys in anyway? I've heard that aluminum-framed toys shouldn't be cleaned in ultrasonic cleaners because the ultrasonic waves can weaken the metal but many said it's OK. What do you say?

(3) Are there any "don'ts" with respect to ultrasonic cleaners and toys?

Thanks in advance,

Don
Charlotte, NC

 

[Slabside45]

I put parts in mine but not the whole pistol.

 

[2AFriend]

I put parts in mine but not the whole pistol.

What solution do you use to clean the parts?

 

[Scsmith42]

I have several commercial units, and clean all my guns in them.

For suppressors I use Slip 2000 Carbon Killer non diluted as the solution. Have also used the Lyman Turbo Sonic cleaners, Hoppe's #9, and Cotton Spindle oil (which works surprisingly well). Regular Varsol does not work as well compared with the cleaners forementioned.

If you leave them in too long (overnight) the finish can be damaged, butI've never had a problem with aluminum disintegrating.

I once put a Bodyguard .380 in w/o removing the laser. That did not turn out well.....

 

[HawgBonz]

Thanks for posting OP. Tag for interest..
I've got a decent sized Ultrasonic I used to use at the coast to clean carbs.
Was thinkin it may be a good thing for the future inbound cans.. 😎

 

[2AFriend]

I have several commercial units, and clean all my guns in them.

For suppressors I use Slip 2000 Carbon Killer non diluted as the solution. Have also used the Lyman Turbo Sonic cleaners, Hoppe's #9, and Cotton Spindle oil (which works surprisingly well). Regular Varsol does not work as well compared with the cleaners forementioned.

If you leave them in too long (overnight) the finish can be damaged, butI've never had a problem with aluminum disintegrating.

I once put a Bodyguard .380 in w/o removing the laser. That did not turn out well.....

Are there finishes you have to be concerned about even putting them in an ultrasonic cleaner? For example, can you put nickeled guns in an ultrasonic cleaner? I've heard not to put aluminum-framed guns in at all but others have said it's fine. Go figure!

 

[Scsmith42]

I‘ve never left nickle plated revolvers in the solution long enough to have a problem. I’ve faded out whatever coating (Cerakote?) that Thunderbeast puts on their .22 TD suppressors though.

 

[Palmer812]

I just ordered an ultrasonic cleaner off of Amazon and it should be here in a couple of days. A buddy of mine has one already and he uses the solution in my picture. It comes from this website www.proguncleaning.com and they are in Morganton NC. I just went there and picked up 4 gallons of this stuff. It’s $40 a gallon and you dilute it 1 part cleaner to 10 parts water. they said you could go 5-1 for really heavy cleaning and they said to get the temp up to 130-140. That is suppose to help tremendously. Unlike using Simple Green or Purple power it is safe of all surfaces and does not require any rinsing. You can pull the parts out of the cleaner and just let them air dry. It also leaves a rust preventing layer behind. Their whole business is ultrasonic cleaners and accessories so I’m gonna take their word for it. I’ll report back when I get mine but my friend has been using their machine and their soap for a year now with excellent results.

 

[Palmer812]

Oh and for suppressors that are stainless steel they use half water and half CLR. You don’t want to mix that with their soap so they suggest putting the suppressor parts and CLR/water in a stainless bowl and float it in the tank with Their soap/water.

 

[2AFriend]

I just ordered an ultrasonic cleaner off of Amazon and it should be here in a couple of days. A buddy of mine has one already and he uses the solution in my picture. It comes from this website www.proguncleaning.com and they are in Morganton NC. I just went there and picked up 4 gallons of this stuff. It’s $40 a gallon and you dilute it 1 part cleaner to 10 parts water. they said you could go 5-1 for really heavy cleaning and they said to get the temp up to 130-140. That is suppose to help tremendously. Unlike using Simple Green or Purple power it is safe of all surfaces and does not require any rinsing. You can pull the parts out of the cleaner and just let them air dry. It also leaves a rust preventing layer behind. Their whole business is ultrasonic cleaners and accessories so I’m gonna take their word for it. I’ll report back when I get mine but my friend has been using their machine and their soap for a year now with excellent results.

View attachment 592374

Thanks for the heads up!

 

[Palmer812]

Guys. Holy Shit! Mind blown! $114 Vevor 6 liter ultrasonic cleaner. Filled with distilled water and the soap I mentioned above in about a 7-1 ratio. Dead Air Mask with about 500 rounds through it and very dirty. I put the tube and end caps in the basket but put the baffles in a Zip Loc bag full of CLR. Ran for 10 minutes not even up to 140 degrees which was recommended. WOW! I usually don’t get excited but anybody who has ever cleaned a .22 suppressor by hand will understand. Lol!

 

[Jerzsubbie]

I have a small 1.5L Hornady unit and it works quite well. I’ve tried purple power, simple green, Zep citrus and a couple others, but for cleaning gun parts and particularly suppressor baffles, I’ve found the Zep Citrus to work best. I buy it by the gallon at Lowe’s or THD and it lasts me years.

 

[Palmer812]

I have a small 1.5L Hornady unit and it works quite well. I’ve tried purple power, simple green, Zep citrus and a couple others, but for cleaning gun parts and particularly suppressor baffles, I’ve found the Zep Citrus to work best. I buy it by the gallon at Lowe’s or THD and it lasts me years.

Have you tried CLR on the baffles? The place I got my soap from is called pro gun cleaning.com and they recommended it. It’s $25 a Gallon at Home Depot.

 

[Jerzsubbie]

Have you tried CLR on the baffles? The place I got my soap from is called pro gun cleaning.com and they recommended it. It’s $25 a Gallon at Home Depot.

I have not, but I’ll keep it in mind if I run into something the Zep can’t handle. Your results certainly look good!