Ultrasonic Cleaning - Page 2

SF_BHT · 07-31-2007, 07:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by cold1

If someone has the time, the ultrasonic cleaners can be found at various university and state surpluses for little to nothing. My small one was $10, it is only big enough to clean handguns.

As far as using it to clean jewelry, be careful, some stones will break in the cleaner.

My new Toy is on the way.

Thank god for a Gov CC.
Have a vault of dirty guns to test it on. The jungle plays havoc on them.

I hope my Girls Diamonds will not break or I will have to kill a jeweler. Emerald's are another situation.

Rogue · 08-01-2007, 11:04

Never used one of these, so I have a question out of curiosity. If one were to put a collectors grade firearm (no scratches, for example) into the steel mesh basket. Does the ultrasonic cause any vibrations which would result in scratching the metal finish of the firearm?

**The Reaper** · 08-01-2007, 11:16

Pardon the question, but why would an unfired or collectors weapon need deep cleaning?

Nothing should rest on the bottom of the tank. Items in the basket that concern you can always be suspended by wires to hang freely.

As AM noted, you can also put items in bags of solution and put them in the basket. If there is only one item, there should be no metal to metal contact.

HTH.

TR

kgoerz · 08-01-2007, 11:25

I wonder if one of these would work to prep a Weapon for painting. Or a protective coating of some sort.........

**The Reaper** · 08-01-2007, 11:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgoerz

I wonder if one of these would work to prep a Weapon for painting. Or a protective coating of some sort.........

I would suspect that if you sprayed it down well with acetone, or carb cleaner, before putting it into the cleaner with the proper solution, and then dry it thoroughly, it would be well-prepped for painting.

TR

HOLLiS · 08-01-2007, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgoerz

I wonder if one of these would work to prep a Weapon for painting. Or a protective coating of some sort.........

I have used them when I am plating metal, seems to help. Depending on type of paint finish I used a reqular prep/degreaser.

I have used it to clean internal small parts prior to bluing then used a degreaser/prep.

HOLLiS · 08-01-2007, 11:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogue8261

Never used one of these, so I have a question out of curiosity. If one were to put a collectors grade firearm (no scratches, for example) into the steel mesh basket. Does the ultrasonic cause any vibrations which would result in scratching the metal finish of the firearm?

Rogue, I never noticed any marks, I believe the vibration does not shake the parts but virbrates the solution. I have place bright blue parts in, synthetic frames, etc and never seen any marks.

Rogue · 08-01-2007, 12:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

Pardon the question, but why would an unfired or collectors weapon need deep cleaning?

Thanks for the input. To answer the question. I have picked up a few collectors grade unfired weapons in the past, and you wouldn't believe how some people store them. (Just because they own them, doesn't mean they have ever used a firearm, or even know how to clean one) Had one that was full of dirt and dust, and who knows what else. Whatever was in there attracted moisture and caused mild interior rust.

**The Reaper** · 08-01-2007, 12:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogue8261

Thanks for the input. To answer the question. I have picked up a few collectors grade unfired weapons in the past, and you wouldn't believe how some people store them. Had one that was full of dirt and dust, and who knows what else. Whatever was in there attracted moisture and caused mild interior rust.

Any black powder or older weapon which might have had corrosive ammo fired in it needs to be disassembled and detail cleaned as soon as possible after you get your hands on it. The powder residue is hygroscopic and the corrosive salts are well, corrosive.

Unfired weapons are not always unfired.

Many are test fired before shipping, and may, or may not have been cleaned after that, even if the original purchaser did not fire it himself.

Most weapons leave the factory with at least a light coat of oil, but with time, many things are possible. Dust is probably hygroscopic as well, especially if the weapon was stored in a hot, humid climate.

The good news is that you can put lube in the ultrasonic tank after cleaning, and it will get oil deep into every part of the weapon.

TR

Rogue · 08-01-2007, 12:53

Thanks TR, and BTW Happy belated birthday. 50 isn't so bad..... Just the start of the second half of your life, or second lifetime, whatever the case may be.

**The Reaper** · 08-01-2007, 12:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogue8261

Thanks TR, and BTW Happy belated birthday. 50 isn't so bad..... Just the start of the second half of your life, or second lifetime, whatever the case may be.

Thanks. Second childhood, more likely.

TR

HOLLiS · 08-01-2007, 13:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

Any black powder or older weapon which might have had corrosive ammo fired in it needs to be disassembled and detail cleaned as soon as possible after you get your hands on it. The powder residue is hygroscopic and the corrosive salts are well, corrosive.

Unfired weapons are not always unfired.

Many are test fired before shipping, and may, or may not have been cleaned after that, even if the original purchaser did not fire it himself.

Most weapons leave the factory with at least a light coat of oil, but with time, many things are possible. Dust is probably hygroscopic as well, especially if the weapon was stored in a hot, humid climate.

The good news is that you can put lube in the ultrasonic tank after cleaning, and it will get oil deep into every part of the weapon.

TR

Barnes makes a really great copper remover, old military rifles that I have picked up never really had all the copper fouling removed. Over the years, I have heard of a number of stories where a family's front stuffer is passed down from generation to generation, Kids played with it, etc, then to horror of everyone it is checked and found to still be holding a charge.

BTW Happy B-day. It is great to be a kid again.
H.

**The Reaper** · 08-01-2007, 13:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOLLiS

Over the years, I have heard of a number of stories where a family's front stuffer is passed down from generation to generation, Kids played with it, etc, then to horror of everyone it is checked and found to still be holding a charge.

H.

Safe as can be, long as there is no cap on it or priming charge in the pan.

Thanks.

TR

Rogue · 08-06-2007, 13:17

For what it's worth, after doing a little more research, came upon two DO NOTS for Ultrasonic Cleaning. First of all it was suggested not to use Simply Green on any aluminum parts or frames, and secondly it was stated that the ultrasonic cleaner can cause issues with Tritium sights and sight Dots.

Anyone have any comments on these issues.

R