Ultrasonic Cleaner Solution

[BigNuge]

Hey guys, I came upon a small Ultrasonic cleaner. A friend gave it to me, and I’m dying to try it! I’m always rehabbing equipment, and I do quite a few carb rebuilds. I see guys on YT using them, stuff comes out great!

Anyway, I’m looking for suggestions on cleaner/solution to put in it for general cleaning jobs (carbs/oily and dirty parts).....

Thanks!


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[930dreamer]

I've used Dawn soap and hot water.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I use SIMPLE GREEN in hot water for degreasing parts. EVAPORUST for removing rust works ten times faster in an ultrasonic bath. If you have a few small parts for Evaporust treatment, the Evaporust can be put into a Ziploc bag with the rusty parts. Then put the bag into the ultrasonic bath liquid.

 

[4xdog]

I have a small (about 1 qt) industrial-quality Branson ultrasonic bath -- an oldie, probably 40 years old or more. It gets used all the time, and I'm very happy to have it.

Let the cleaning solution be determined by the piece you're cleaning and what you're trying to remove.

I'll use anything from plain water, Dawn detergent in water, Superclean in water (the purple stuff), sometimes mineral spirits or diesel, although that's rare and I'm very careful around flammables. You're going to have to run experiments.

I'd probably not put carb cleaner in one -- because of the chance for splashing a harsh chemical solution. Look for other guidance here -- maybe the carb guys on YT are doing it OK.

You may find that there is a volume in the tank that seems to give better cleaning as it couples the transducer's output to the fluid more efficiently. Be sure to experiment with that.

Watch out for heat, if you're not intending it. My bath has heating options in addition to ultrasonic, which I rarely used. I don't recommend leaving the unit untended while running. The energy being put into the fluid will lead to a significant heat buildup over time and it's best to watch the process.

 

[got2boostit2]

Simple Green in my usage caused aluminum parts to darken. I ordered some Ultrasonic cleaner from Ultrasonic LLC and boy is there a distinct difference in cleaning. That is now my go to for a cleaning solution.

 

[isb cornbinder]

Before I buy any product, I like to look at the MSDS sheets. It is important to me to know what chemicals I am using.

 

[BigNuge]

Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated.

4x, I have a 1.5 gallon Branson, really high end machine. It’s probably 15-20 years old, a little beat up, but is a top quality machine for sure. I looked them up, it would cost my thousands to replace it!

Keep it coming, info and options is what it’s all about!


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[Craig Balzer]

Comment to ease cleaning the cleaner:

- Whatever cleaning solution you use should be poured into the appropriately sized zip lock baggie with the part.
- Put baggie in the cleaner tub and fill the tub with hot water.
- Ultrasonic waves pass right through the baggie so the cleaning effort is unaffected.

Clean up? pour dirty cleaning into appropriate container for proper disposal and drain clean water from ultrasonic tub.
Done

 

[FrankLee]

Comment to ease cleaning the cleaner:

- Whatever cleaning solution you use should be poured into the appropriately sized zip lock baggie with the part.
- Put baggie in the cleaner tub and fill the tub with hot water.
- Ultrasonic waves pass right through the baggie so the cleaning effort is unaffected.

Clean up? pour dirty cleaning into appropriate container for proper disposal and drain clean water from ultrasonic tub.
Done

I clean a lot of bearings and use a similar technique. I have this very small denture cleaner I got unused off claigslist. I use lacquer thinner with the bearings in a jelly jar in the cleaner with water to the full line. It does an awesome job with easy clean-up. I let the lacquer thinner settle and pour off the clear stuff for next use.

​

 

[nadogail]

I learn something new everyday, now I learned I need to watch for an Ultra Sonic Denture Cleaner.

Wow, Garage Journal is worth the time I spend on it.

 

[weadjust]

I use LA Totally Awesome Orange Degreaser from Dollar Tree. Cost $1 for a 1/2 gallon

 

[flippin]

We use ultrasonic cleaners everyday in our labs. And we never put any solvent into the "bath" water directly. Ultrasonic waves will pass through plastic as others have suggested. However they provide even more "energy" if the parts to be cleaned are in a glass container. The glass transmits the ultrasonic energy with less dampening than other materials plastic included. A few Mason jars with a variety of different solvents/detergents can run simultaneously depending upon the size of your ultrasonic cleaner and needs. You end up using less solvents/detergents and they can even be re-used.

Hope this helps,

-Paul

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[BigNuge]

Fantastic info folks! I like the idea of a smaller container of solvent/cleaner immersed in clean water inside the sonic tub. I have several glass jars to apply this technique (I have a bit of a container hoarding issue)!


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[engineer2]

Never use flammable liquids in an ultrasonic cleaner. I heard of someone using gasoline which of course, burned their lab down.

Some commercial cleaners contain sodium hydroxide or liquid ammonia. Not everything is compatible with that, like zinc, magnesium, or aluminum.

Don't let parts rest on the bottom of the tank. Don't let sludge build up on the bottom of the tank. This will shorten the life of the transducers.

Don't put metal foil parts in the cleaner. They can be damaged. Put a piece of aluminum foil in a cleaner and see what happens.

Putting parts in a suspended wire mesh basket (you can make your own) or hanging parts from wires works well.

 

[gunner3773]

The absolute best carb solution I have used is by Sharpertec. I cleaned six Honda Valkyrie carbs that were 16 years old. They looked like new when done. I have done many small engine carbs as well.

https://www.sharpertek.com/encashandvab.html

The great thing about this stuff is you can reuse it over and over again. I strain it through cheese cloth when it gets dirty and then add a little water to compensate for evaporation. this stuff is unbelievable. I have been using it for years.

 

[BigNuge]

The absolute best carb solution I have used is by Sharpertec. I cleaned six Honda Valkyrie carbs that were 16 years old. They looked like new when done. I have done many small engine carbs as well.

https://www.sharpertek.com/encashandvab.html

The great thing about this stuff is you can reuse it over and over again. I strain it through cheese cloth when it gets dirty and then add a little water to compensate for evaporation. this stuff is unbelievable. I have been using it for years.

Just ordered a gallon of that stuff. Sounds like it’s a good fit for my machine. Expensive, but I don’t mind paying for quality products.


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[Superbec]

I have an ultrasonic cleaner for about 7 years now , doing only motorcycle carburetors.

You first need to clean the parts in a normal chemical parts cleaner , rinse , blow then use the ultrasonic .

I tried home made solutions , the best is white vinegar diluted in water but it's no way as good as purpose made solutions for ultrasonic cleaners, and those you buy for the metal you're gonna clean, some will darken aluminium or destroy the bronze the jets are made from .

Ultrasonic cleaning is part chemical part cavitation so the solution will degrade over time and concentration must be kept .

When you get things right aluminium parts will look better than new (the oxide layer of aluminium will react with the cleaner solution and remain in the bath) , and that in 15 minutes .

 

[Dumber than lumber]

Great thread!!
I log on to see about drilling my own well, but first I look at new posts and see this.
What a fun forum.

 

[Craig Balzer]

I have never used it but after cleaning aluminum parts, spraying ACF 50 on the part will prevent oxidation -- Craig