Ultrasonic cleaning solution

[bsekf]

I have got to clean a auto shotgun bolt and trigger group, don't want to take it apart. Don't want to use a water based solution. What would happen if I used diesel or WD-40 or something similar in my ultrasonic cleaner?

 

[DennisH]

NO, I wouldn't use anything flamable, even diesel. I have cleaned many parts and small pistols in my cleaner. I use distilled water, lemon shine, or I buy the gun cleaning solution from Sharp-r-Tech.

I completely dry the items I cleaned, then re-oil them. Works great for me. Sharp-r-Tech also makes a solution for the cleaner that re-oils the items cleaned. I have never used it, but I know they have it.

Stay Safe, Dennis

PS: I would use automotive spray brake cleaner which works great by itself on small dirty parts.

 

[Chief 101]

I have used WD-40 before in my ultrasonic...no issues. I am not sure if its flammible or not. Mobile 1 might be a goood choice...then just blow it out with air and its done

 

[hogpatrol]

Brake cleaner but watch it around wood finishes or plastic.

Oops. I just saw the ultrasonic angle.

I use the Lyman Turbosonic stuff for AR parts and used compressed air to completely dry it.

 

[waldo1979]

You could use an evaporative solvent like "gun scrubber" or maybe Naptha. I've never cleaned my 1100 =D

 

[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!

 

[chalkeye]

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.

I'll have to give this a try, I've never been satisfied with my ultrasonic cleaning results.
Would a dishwasher rinse-aid be a suitable surfactant?

 

[dcali]

I know this: just water doesn't do squat to brass. Water, a few squirts of simple green and a dash of citric acid cleans it up nicely. I tried water & SG, water & CA, and just plain water as well. None of those worked as well as all three together.

 

[dennisinaz]

I use an US cleaner almost daily. I have tried many solutions. My typical solution is 50-50 distilled water and simple green. When I need something special, I put it in a beaker and set it into the simple green solution. I have used denatured alcohol, caustic solutions, low pH solutions and some other solvents. You only need enough to submerge the part.

When doing something larger, I use the simple green and then rinse it with denatured alcohol after I take it out. I can then dry it and use whatever lubricant is best. Never had a rust problem. Making cartridge brass shine takes a special solution but you have to be real careful as it can attack the zinc in the alloy and leave copper streaking behind. Not sure how good this is for your brass and then it tarnishes faster after that.

 

[bsekf]

Fred, your reply was what I was looking for. Never though much about how the ultrasonic worked. I just didn't want to use a water based cleaner.... rust in the bolt would be as bad as the dirt! I will research the Sharp-r-Tech products.

I planned on putting the solvent and the part in a beaker and then put the beaker in the water in the US unit.

Thanks to all.

Bill

 

[Shaggy357]

G96 gun cleaner. Do good squirt job on the trigger group. Follow with Brake cleaner to remove excess cleaner, then wipe good with soft cotton rag. Have done this with my 1100s for years and they look as new.