Ultrasonic Cleaning

[Mark S. Lovejoy]

I saw a thread a while ago discussing ultrasonic cleaners, but cannot find in the archives.

What cleaning agents are used in them? I have searched online and all are 5 gallon buckets and well over $100 each. There must be a more economical solution (no pun intended). What are most people using?

Thanks,

Mark

[Steve Wallach]

Re: Ultrasonic Cleaning

You can get smaller jewelry ultrasonic cleaners for less. You won't be able to do much other than a few nuts and bolts at a time though.
As for cleaning solutions, you can use anything you want from mild soapy solutions to solvents, just be more careful as the strength of the solution goes up.

Good Luck,

Steve

[David N.]

Re: Ultrasonic Cleaning

Mark, You will find a variety of sizes and prices at scientific supply houses. This is an item that is a heavy duty cleaning device. If you have lots of parts to clean, it is a very good way to go. When I was with Ford's
Quality Lab. we used them frequently. You can use most any NON-FLAMMABLE cleaning solution. Detergent and water are best for non greasy nor oily parts. A parts cleaning fluid for oils and greases can be used. Scrape or wipe off all excess first. Use a cover when ever possible. JUST BE SURE TO HAVE LOTS OF VENTILATION. SUCH AS DOORS OF GARAGE OPEN AND A FAN EXHAUSTING ANY FUMES. READ LABELS VERY CAREFULLY BEFORE STARTING.

Remember safety first, you only get one set of lungs in this life in most cases.

David Nims #19639 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Gary C.]

Dishwasher works great at lesser cost *NM*

[Clem Z.]

till your better half finds out. *NM*

[James W.]

What Are You Cleaning, Greasy/Rusty...??? *NM*

[Donald T.]

Re: Ultrasonic Cleaning

Mark,

I have a 6.5L heated ultrasonic cleaner. I just use an ammonia cleaner like Mr. Clean diluted with tap water. It will heat the solution up to about 200 degrees, and it's really the heat and ultrasonic action that does the cleaning. So the solution is of less importance. Small jewelry non-heated ultrasonic cleaners are not that expensive, but have little capacity. Larger commercial units can get very pricey. So you really need to be cleaning a lot parts for it to be economical.

[Gary R.]

Re: Ultrasonic Cleaning

I have designed and used large ultrasonic industrial systems for the past 15 years.They work well with aqueous technology but to get a very good system the cost is thousands of dollars. There are 2 types of systems based on the transducers used to generate the sound waves.

The small bench top units aren't too strong and have no provision for oil separation and limited heat control. For a small unit you can use Crystal Simple Green for about $25 a gallon and mix it 4:1 and use it heated to 125-140* for best results. Use a piece of aluminum foil to test the operation of the generator, it should have a lot of pin holes within seconds in the tank.

If you have any questions let me know.
Gary

[Pat L.]

Re: Ultrasonic Cleaning

Mark,

What brand is the 6.5L, who makes it and is there a website?

Thanks

[Donald T.]

Re: Ultrasonic Cleaning

Pat,

My ultrasonic unit is a SonicWave. I just picked it up on ebay, so I don't know if they have a website. There are several dealers selling them on ebay though.

Don