Ultra sonic cleaners

[Seabees]

Howdy boys, so what are your thoughts on an Ultra Sonic Cleaner? Thanks!

[Ordsgt]

I use one often and it does a great job but my usage is just for firearms. I imagine it would be great for the car but the solvent would dirty pretty fast with some of the model A stuff. My weapon sonic cleaner uses a cleaner degreaser then another tank for lubrication

[brackenan]

I mainly use them for clock/watch repair. However, in the past, I've used ultrasonic cleaners for carburetors. I use a mixture designed for cleaning clock parts, so it does wonders for carburetors.

[Gary WA]

Originally Posted by Seabees

Howdy boys, so what are your thoughts on an Ultra Sonic Cleaner? Thanks!

Never used one but i sure do like your Seabees!!! 22yrs 1969-91 retired BUC USN.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Seabees

Howdy boys, so what are your thoughts on an Ultra Sonic Cleaner? Thanks!

We have one that has just about run it coarse, and I am about to buy another one (likely bigger). Much about these is the cleaners that is used. Start out with an inexpensive Vevor or Chinese-brand to see how much you use it.

[mleder]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Could we have a little input as to what cleaning solution you use? I 'm especially interested in the solution for a carburetor and its parts.

[Harpkatt]

My brother used one for cleaning his motorcycle carbs, he said it worked great. I believe he just used simple green.

[JayJay]

I had a Harbor Fright cleaner and burned it up using a petroleum solvent (don't remember whether it was diesel or Stoddard) in the tank. You need an aqueous solution to properly absorb the ultrasonic waves and vibrate properly. I have tried Purple Power on carb bodies and on bearings and it worked well. I suspect that Rust-911 or Evaporust plus ultrasonic agitation would work great for derusting bolts and nuts. I plan to replace the one I burned up with a larger Vevor, granted it's overseas manufacture but it appears to be a step above junk.

[nkaminar]

Also good for cleaning dentures.

[Herb Concord Ca]

I use an ultrasonic cleaner for pot metal carbs. I use Dawn dish liquid and hot water.
Works great.

[dave in australia]

Either use a non flammable solution, or use water and put the part to be cleaned and the cleaning solution in a jar with the lid on. We had a fire in the hangar workshop when we cleaned oil filters in just cleaning solution in the cleaner. The cleaner was supposed to be intrinsically safe, and had passed its annual test and tag. We're not sure where the spark came from, but it took three nine kilogram foam fire extinguishers to put the fire out after only being alight for less than thirty seconds. Fire station shows make using extinguishers look quick and easy, but no, it is not.

[Brentwood Bob]

Plastic containers also simplify cleanup.

[32Ford13]

I use three ultrasonics every day. A 50/50 solution of Simple Green and water does a great job. Before purchase, pay attention to how powerful the unit is. The low power units are close to useless. The higher the power, the better the cleaning. Heat is also very beneficial. My units are heated. Also, ultrasonics do have a life span. Mine are used 8-10 hours a day, so if I get 3 years out of one, I’m happy.

[Wick]

I use a heated unit with a little Dawn or Purple power. Carburetor cleaning is 90% of the use.
Also use a small rock tumbler for cleaning small items, dawn and water mix.

[petew]

I have a Vevor unit , large enough to swallow up a Holley 4 bbl carb.
I use it for carburetors , greasy parts . nuts and bolts , anything that needs cleaning that will fit .
I have used Pine Sol for carburetors , dish washing pods , Dawn , it all works.
I run it on the 70 centigrade setting which is about 160 degrees and it does a nice job.

[Big hammer]

Heating your cleaning solution is the trick, heating Evaporust is also a must !

[CT Jack]

Ultrasonic cleaners are mostly used for commercial type cleaning applications. The size and input power requirements for these units are governed by the size of the application. Cleaning a carburetor can be done with smaller lower cost units. I would recommend buying a cleaner that has a small basket, cycle timer, and a heater. The cleaning solution that I use is a heated solution of Purple Power and water. The ultrasonic process helps to loosen small particles and traces of surface oils. Cleaning a component is best done by cleaning it completely disassembled.

[rackops]

I bought a large one at the last power plant I managed. We used it for all kinds of things, but the primary use was to clean grease off of turbine parts. For that, it was great.

I bought a small one for use at home and I came to realize it wasn't nearly as thorough as the commercial model (I shouldn't have been surprised, but I did assume that an "ultrasonic cleaner is an ultrasonic cleaner")

The biggest difference between the two cleaners was that the commercial model could be set for up to 24 hours of use, whereas the small one I purchased could only be set for one hour and that apparently made quite the difference.

The small one I have cleans "okay," but it's definitely not a miracle worker, particularly when it comes to grease or caked-on grime. I see it as one of several cleaning methods, and a step in the cleaning process for some items, but it's not something I couldn't live without.

[the cooch]

I run two, a large and a small and almost everything goes in there. Saves a lot of time at the wire wheel as you can start the timer on the sonic and walk away while accomplishing other tasks. I have access to a large heated parts washer but those parts must be dried the second the timer goes off. Parts in the sonic are submerged and can wait there a while for rinsing and drying.
I use a combo of simple green, vinegar and ammonia in the water and try to remember to turn the heater on as it works wayyy better. I never put any flammable liquid in there or anything that makes caustic fumes besides wiping down the tank surface with some brake cleaner They definitely make a cloud of vapor even with the lid on and the ammonia is kept to a minimum for sure.
I adjust the ratios towards more vinegar as the parts drop dirt and oil and hang on to rust or more ammonia if there is unwanted paint. Powdered commercial parts cleaner works better and gets used on really nasty parts. There are several brands but I have the other stuff around already and don’t mind sending it to the treatment plant when it gets replaced.
It is imperative to keep the parts off the bottom of the tank in baskets or plastic tubs as the vibration will eventually send sharp corners through the tank surface. The one drawback is the noise. The big one sucks to be in the shop with so i have to blast the tunes or set the timer and leave... -Chris, in Boulder

[Dick M]

I have used undiluted Simple Green to clean a carb. I rinsed out the carb after using Simple Green and then blew out the carb. Put it back together and it ran great...