ultrasonic cleaners

[FJRay]

After going through hell doing the carbs on Carver's KZ I bought a ultrasonic cleaner and am wondering if any of you smart folks have a favorite cleaner for general use??? Will be doing mostly carbs, gun parts and small engine parts.

 

[bluesdog]

I prefer to be as eco-friendly as possible, so I'll use a citrus-based degreaser first, then mineral spirits or varsol, then kerosene if needed. If all else fails I'll use acetone or lacquer thinner.

I also occasionally use brake cleaner for, well, cleaning brake parts, or other parts where I don't want to introduce water.

Usually the citrus stuff does the job.

 

[El Toro Joe]

I use kerosene for everything that needs cleaning.

 

[FJRay]

any flammable solvent is a no-no in ultrasonics from what I've read.

 

[08FJR4ME]

I believe we use Oakite for a first rinse then distilled water then tap water for a third rinse. But then again that is industrial size tanks. Not sure if Oakite is available off the shelf. Oakite may also be a trade name. Haven't looked it up. Simple green would be the least harmful but might not be strong enough to do the job quickly.

Dave

 

[DennisJ]

I've used this with pretty good success. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Simple-Green-128-oz-Pro-HD-Professional-Grade-Heavy-Duty-Cleaner-2110000413421/100550784?N=5yc1vZ1v2

Simple Green HD Pro Grade Heady Duty Cleaner. Had to order it for pickup at local Home Depot but you might find it on the shelf. Aluminum safe which was a criteria. Old formula plain old Simple Green was aluminum safe at some point in the past but no longer is. This stuff works well and makes a lot of solution when diluted.

 

[Warpdrv]

Sonic cleaners on steel is OK.. Be careful with them on aluminum..

Depends on the solution...

Not advised for suppressor parts unless they are stainless..

 

[dcarver]

ahhh, the KwaQker got you to spend money! LOL.

 

[Twigg]

any flammable solvent is a no-no in ultrasonics from what I've read.

We had an industrial ultra-sonic cleaner. It was filled with a solvent for degreasing, and ceramic shapes to de-burr small aluminum parts. There were no issues with flammable liquids.

Maybe the smaller units are different, but I'd use kerosene unless there were good reasons given not to.

 

[FJRay]

ahhh, the KwaQker got you to spend money! LOL.

Should have bought it while I still had the bike. Then it would have been your money.

 

[timk]

I thought of using my wifes jewelry ultrasonic cleaner on my RD spraybars,but imagined a knot on my forehead. 8O(

 

[rushes]

I've been using the Yamaha carb cleaner for years. Being water soluble I bet it would be safe in an ultrasonic cleaner.

https://www.amazon.com/Yamalube-Carburetor-Cleaner-Dip-oz/dp/B002GU4SPA

 

[scubatech]

Being a Scuba Repair Technician this is my main tool. I use a specific Ultrasonic powder sold by Trident ( SA465} and another by Global. They supply the Diving industry with our repair products. The powder has 3 different acid combinations in it. This stuff wipes corrosion off with a 5 minute soak followed by a hot water rinse. I use about 3/4 of a small Dixie cup in mine which holds about a gallon of water. sometimes I mix a little Simple Green in too. My unit is heated also.

Global 800-558-1811

Trident 800-234-3483

 

[FJRay]

Update. A little simple green and water temp around 150 makes short work of ethanol clogged carbs.

 

[exskibum]

Update. A little simple green and water temp around 150 makes short work of ethanol clogged carbs.

Good to know. One of these days, I'm going to get around to getting my KLR with the gummed carb running, and my Hornady ultrasonic cleaner just might have a role. Not sure which of us is more senile, Ray, but when I forget about this bit of wisdom, can I call to have you remind me?

 

[FJRay]

Update. A little simple green and water temp around 150 makes short work of ethanol clogged carbs.

Good to know. One of these days, I'm going to get around to getting my KLR with the gummed carb running, and my Hornady ultrasonic cleaner just might have a role. Not sure which of us is more senile, Ray, but when I forget about this bit of wisdom, can I call to have you remind me?

By the time you think about it again the KLR will have been lost in the garage and you will have misplaced the phone number. You should have me come get it now and fix it so when and if you think about it again it will be screwed up worse. What were we talking about???

I got my ex KLR back from Mad Mike and it may need a carbectomy if a couple tanks of seafoam don't do the trick.

 

[RossKean]

As a detergent-type cleaner (as opposed to solvent), the Simple Green is preferable for aluminum. It is less alkaline than many water-based degreasers and will be kinder to aluminum surfaces. Highly alkaline solutions will attack aluminum alloys.

 

[infrared]

Update. A little simple green and water temp around 150 makes short work of ethanol clogged carbs.

The present formulation of Simple Green is not friendly to aluminum. Simple Green makes a separate product for aluminum, with good reason.

Choose the Aircraft heading, and Aluminum, at this site:

https://industrial.simplegreen.com/ind_application_zone.php

Cheers,

Infrared

 

[exskibum]

Update. A little simple green and water temp around 150 makes short work of ethanol clogged carbs.

The present formulation of Simple Green is not friendly to aluminum. Simple Green makes a separate product for aluminum, with good reason.

Choose the Aircraft heading, and Aluminum, at this site:

https://industrial.simplegreen.com/ind_application_zone.php]https://industrial.simplegreen.com/ind_application_zone.php[/url]

Cheers,

Infrared

Wow! More good info I'll probably forget before Ray does.