Best ultrasonic gun part solution?

[Chris Shelton]

What’s your favorite solution for cleaning gun parts in an ultrasonic cleaner? I’ve used hornady and it works pretty good, but looking for something else. Any info is much appreciated!

 

[Oldman1950]

I have used HOT water with a dash of Dawn Dish washing liquid followed with a HOT water rinse. I have used this solution for bolts and other small parts. After the rinse a good dose of compressed air and some oil.
A. J. Palik

 

[urbanrifleman]

Pine sol from Dollar General.

 

[SecondsCount]

An ounce of Simple Green concentrate in a half gallon of warm, softened water.

Some say SG can damage aluminum, but I have never had an issue.

 

[BHP9]

I tried the Hornady solution but it wasn't good enough, so I tried the Lyman TurboSonic concentrated steel and gun cleaner - success! I dilute it a bit stronger.

Not only do I use it for handguns but, using a different batch of solution, I clean my cassette, chain and derailleurs from my bicycle.

​

 

[jpx2rk]

RCBS offered gun parts cleaner solution a few years back, don't know if it's still available now or not. I used some on a baffles from a RF can, and worked pretty good, but had to run several cycles to get the crud off the baffles.

 

[Fred Bohl]

Please take some time to research (this site and on-line) how ultrasonic cleaning actually works (by mechanical scrubbing). The best solution is pure water (distilled and demineralized) with a small amount of a surfactant (wetting agent to reduce surface tension) that is chemically compatible with the items being cleaned.

Any additives that are oils or other lubricants are counter productive to cleaning as they are high surface tension compounds (formulated to adhere to the surfaces to be lubricated). Even worse are low vapor pressure oils that will be aerosolized by the ultrasound and wind up as a coating on everything in the room. Note that there are lubricants specifically formulated for use in ultrasonic cleaners for use after cleaning.

The most dangerous to use in your ultrasonic are high volatility solvents which will be rapidly aerosolized and vaporized then spread by the ventilation system. Think of using alcohol and having the whole house smelling of alcohol for days (don't ask me how I know).

I'm endlessly dismayed at dangerous home-brew mixtures that people will use instead of the carefully designed and tested solutions recommended by the ultrasonic cleaner manufactures!

 

[gdbleb]

...
The most dangerous to use in your ultrasonic are high volatility solvents which will be rapidly aerosolized and vaporized then spread by the ventilation system. Think of using alcohol and having the whole house smelling of alcohol for days (don't ask me how I know).
...

Fred, Many thanks for sharing this info.

 

[AlNyhus]

I've found a 4:1 solution of water and Simple Green Concentrate to work very well. Fill the cleaner tank with water, put the parts and solution in a plastic zip lock baggie and drop that into the tank. Cleans better than having the tank full of solution. It won't harm aluminum but it will turn it black.

 

[elee3]

The Simple Green Extreme Aircraft and Precision cleaner is supposed to be safe for aluminum.