Ultrasonic Cleaning Solutions

Since I recently picked up an Ultrasonic Cleaner I've been reading up on solutions used in them. I found multiple posts here on the Garage Journal and figured I'd try to compile them all in one spot. I found some info from other sites too. If anyone has any other recipies let me know and I'll add it.


Simple Green and Purple Cleaners
The most common solution I've seen on here is using Simple Green or one of the Purple cleaners. They're mixed with water in a 1/2 cleaner and 1/2 water mix or a 1/4 water and 3/4 water mix.
9GUY9 posted good results using a 1/4 mix of purple cleaner here: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=757423&postcount=1

mjozefow suggested adding a bit of white vinegar to help remove rust. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=771157&postcount=31

Mjozefow also suggested Purple Power mixed to about 5:1 dilution w/ tap water. He also adds 1 cup of vinegar in his 1 gallon machine for rusty tools http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=910067&postcount=6

Robin1731 stated that he has successfully used a Simple Green and water mix on carbs with rubber gaskets with no ill effects. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=793008&postcount=13

I cleaned some tools up using 1/4 Purple Power, 3/4 water, and a bit of vinegar and shows the results here. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=908467&postcount=1

A note on Simple Green (and probably Purple cleaners) is that they are only good until about 120degF according to ossaguy. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=898558&postcount=10


Other General Cleaners
Holland_patrick used CLR and had good results with an old rusty wrench. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=901250&postcount=39

Busted_Knuckles reccomends Zep cleaner and has succesfully used it on dirty ****** parts and tools. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=756487&postcount=9


Commercial Solutions
Davefr uses 3/4 mineral spirits and 1/4 Naptha. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=756525&postcount=12
He sources a commercial product by L&R for the proportions of that mixture. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=756570&postcount=14

Wbclassics used StripperDR cleaning solution from International Chemical Co. and was pleased with it. His comments and results can be seen here.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=898396&postcount=7


Stuff from the Kitchen
I've also used dish soap and water and it seems to be good for gentle cleanings. I used it on my wife's ring and CDs with finger prints on them with good results. Here is a list of gemstones not to use in an ultrasonic cleaner if you don't want to get killed: http://ezinearticles.com/?Never-Use-Ultrasonic-Cleaners-For-These-Jewelry-Gemstones&id=3734186

Mjozefow stated that he has heard good things about Pine-Sol as well. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=910067&postcount=6

I found a link online where the author was comparing products for cleaning brass cases. He ended up with 50% vinegar and water followed by a baking soda neutralizing solution, and then by water. See here: http://www.6mmbr.com/ultrasonic.html


General Notes
Engineer2 has specifically said to not use gasoline or any flamable liquids. He also provides a good general set of rules for using cleaners. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=795989&postcount=20


I've read mixed reviews on using an ultrasonic cleaner on aluminum. Some have said that it will damage the surface while others claim it's the solution use use. I have no experience with AL yet though folks use the cleaners on carbs with no noted effects.

In general heat helps the cleaner work better. Some products specifically say not to use heat though.

If anyone has other recipies let me know and I'll add them to the list. If I've cited you above incorrectly let me know and I'll change that too.

David

Edit: Added more information from Mjozefow.

Thanks for the list.

This is rockin'. Thank you for donning the mantle of Official GJ Ultrasonic Guy; I expect you to continue your work whenever possible

Yea what a functional and informative post. Its awesome that you not only provide links, but you also gave an overview of each link. This will be an excellent resource for those getting into ultrasonic cleaning. Nice work.

Bull said:

This is rockin'. Thank you for donning the mantle of Official GJ Ultrasonic Guy; I expect you to continue your work whenever possible

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Thanks for the title! It may have to be changed to Official GJ Cheap Ultrasonic Guy though since price was a large driver for me. Maybe I'll happen on one of those nice large machines in the future.

I found another thing it's good at...cleaning sprinkler heads!

Ya, mix to about 5:1 dilution w/ water. Tap is fine. My machine is 1 gallon Purple power and the rest tap. I add about a cup of vinegar if the tools are rusty.

Palmolive original works darn well to for a gentler touch. I have heard good things about Pine-sol as well.

Great list, thanks for compiling the data.

Thanks for the clarification mjozefow. I've edited my original post to reflect the new information.

After reading about solutions here, I've been doing a little experimenting and now have a question.

My primary use is for cleaning fasteners coming off cars I'm working on (I live in the rust belt). So mainly, I want to remove dirt, oil, salt, and rust. I tried a 1:1 solution of water and Simple Green. After 16 minutes, that had turned opaque so I extracted the bolts and tool a look. All the contamination had been removed, along with the loose rust. However, there was still a lot of rust remaining. Based on this thread, I added a healthy pour of vinegar and ran the cleaner for another 16 minutes. The amount of rust was massively reduced. It was good enough that if just getting the fastener back into a hole was all I cared about, I could stop.

However, the second run in vinegar resulted in a chalky grey-blue appearance to the non-rusted portions of the fasteners. Any idea what's going on there?

williaty said:

However, the second run in vinegar resulted in a chalky grey-blue appearance to the non-rusted portions of the fasteners. Any idea what's going on there?

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This is likely the result of the acidic vinegar oxidizing / breaking down / disolving the remaining zinc or cad plating on the fastener. If you leave it in there long enough, the vinegar being acidic should remove the remaining zinc plating.

We strip plating from original hardware that is to be re-plated with muriatic acid, produces the same appearance during the strip dip, before the hardware is baked to drive out the absorbed hydrogen from the surface of the metal to avoid hydrogen embrittlement.

Cool, thanks! I just bought a U/C last night.