Ultrasonic cleaners

[Garey Guzman]

Anyone have experience with these for personal garage/prep stuff? I don't need (and likely can't afford) a big industrial unit like a shop might have but wondered about the smaller ones like this:
https://smile.amazon.com/Mophorn-Ult...s%2C179&sr=8-3

[Bardahl77]

I've been looking for a good cleaner myself, as I've been told they're magic for cleaning gummy carbs. The one you posted seems to have great ratings and a heckuva deal considering its size (the ones I looked at were like 1/3 that capacity, Holley carbs like a lot of room!)

If you don't get the last one, I think I'll put that one my Xmas list.

[Rick Kirchner]

I have one about that size. great tooi, use it all the time. I usually fill mine with paint thinner and use it to de-grease parts. you have to be a little careful in that the transducer will heat the fluid, so if you are suing something mildly flammable you have to keep an eye on it.

I've also used brake cleaner, formula 409, simple green, and oil eater in it with decent results.

[Hawke]

I use one of these with water, a little ammonia and dish washer liquid, and it works a treat. Just crank up to 60 degrees centigrade, and most crap will fall off.

[tlracer]

I have a similar unit which is excellent for cleaning, especially things like carb parts that are small/intricate so manual cleaning isn't always fully effective. Definitely a recommended buy!

[EricP]

I have a small one that was for cleaning glasses. I got it free (from my wife...). I love it. At some point I will step up to a larger heated one for sure. I wish I had one when restoring an early 911 and a few other cars... would have saved a bunch of elbow grease...

E

[macbt21]

I have an ultrasonic cleaner I that I take all around the country to clean tubing fittings to meet Oxygen service and pure gas standards to be used on gas analyzers. (see attached images) It is large enough to clean most carburetors. You can set temperature and duration. It's a great little unit and fairly light.

You should only use distilled water in these devices. Never use a flammable liquid in them. For our needs, typically I put distilled water into the unit and preheat. I then put my parts into a large freezer zip-lock bag, add warm water and a little Extreme Simple Green cleaner which is aircraft certified and run for about 15 minutes. Sometimes I need to go over them with a green scrub pad and re-clean. After I am happy with the results I will then rinse with hot water and put in a clean bag with fresh water and run for 5 minutes to be sure all residue is removed. Another rinse and blow dry and they ready for use.

In my professional life all the parts I clean are typically 316 SS or brass and usually new out of the box. Instead of using the simple green solution I use a cleaner called Vertrel. It costs about $300 / gal but is extraordinarily good. It has a very low vapor pressure and dries fast and leaves no residue. You do need to use gloves though because it evaporates so fast you'll nearly freeze your fingers.

Anyone have experience with these for personal garage/prep stuff? I don't need (and likely can't afford) a big industrial unit like a shop might have but wondered about the smaller ones like this:
https://smile.amazon.com/Mophorn-Ult...s%2C179&sr=8-3

[Jerry Kehoe]

I use the dishwasher when my wife is not looking! Aluminum or mag parts come out looking like new, dishwasher soap must be something else!

[DanW]

I use the dishwasher when my wife is not looking! Aluminum or mag parts come out looking like new, dishwasher soap must be something else!

VERY brave man....

[billtebbutt]

I use the dishwasher when my wife is not looking! Aluminum or mag parts come out looking like new, dishwasher soap must be something else!

Well, that's ok if you're still on your starter wife........
But that dishwasher may become the most expensive thing in your life. Just sayin

bt

[Art Smith]

Garey-

purchased one largest enough to do Kent cylinder heads and rocker assemblies. distilled water and Simple Green will clean most things I've tried. also have used vinegar on things I wanted a little "cleaner". that said, I would urge extreme caution using solvents of any kind in an ultra-sonic cleaner!! it's been a major disappointment attempting to clean intake and exhaust valve (the baked-on carbon deposits are simply too hard); I was looking for a compliant method to clean used valves. if the occasion arises, may try molasses for removing rust from steel/cast iron parts..... cleaning hoses and hard lines is now a snap! ymmv; it was my sense there's quite a range of capability being offered..................

Art
artesmith@earthlink.net

[DanW]

Garey-

purchased one largest enough to do Kent cylinder heads and rocker assemblies. distilled water and Simple Green will clean most things I've tried. also have used vinegar on things I wanted a little "cleaner". that said, I would urge extreme caution using solvents of any kind in an ultra-sonic cleaner!! it's been a major disappointment attempting to clean intake and exhaust valve (the baked-on carbon deposits are simply too hard); I was looking for a compliant method to clean used valves. if the occasion arises, may try molasses for removing rust from steel/cast iron parts..... cleaning hoses and hard lines is now a snap! ymmv; it was my sense there's quite a range of capability being offered..................

Art
artesmith@earthlink.net

Hello Art,

Molasses works great for removing rust, but it's slow and can be tedious to get it off the parts. My son restored an old motorcycle and found a product called Evaporust. Fastenal and O'Reilly auto parts carry it. Works great.

Dan

[Rick Kirchner]

Art and I use about a gallon of molasses to 20 or so of water. Just rinses off. Sure reeks though!

[patman]

I have a 10L and a 30L Chinese one like that.
They work great for cleaning carburetors.
They work great for cleaning pistons and other carbon- coated parts
They work 'pretty good' for cleaning really oily/gummy engine parts
They work 'barely OK' for cleaning really greasy stuff

I use 90% tap water, 10% purple power or Zep.

I also sometimes use them to clean fuel injectors with SeaFoam and an injector pulse box. Works great for that too.

Buy a bigger one than you think you need, once it becomes your go-to device you will be surprised how often you use it and how much you will be irritated when you actually have to clean something by hand.

[steve48]

I have an OmegaSonics Super-Pro 45 gallon unit at my shop at Sonoma Raceway. Large enough to do 4 cylinder blocks, cylinder heads and every dry sump tank I've tried so far.
It is fantastic for oil tanks, coolers, lines, calipers, carbs and most parts after machine work. etc.
It isn't good at removing carbon and really baked on sludge on block and sumps.

I think of it this way: IF I could have washed away the sticky oil, dirt, debris, machining chips, with heated solvent and a brush, BUT I can't reach those areas( think dry sump tank) , the sonic bubbles and 135 degrees bath will do it for me
For carbon on heads, bead blast or use ScotchBrite 'balls'. After all machining, Sonic clean to get passages and bolt holes clean and remove all bead and chips.
For gungy blocks, clean in a heated Spray Wash machine and sonic clean after machine work

For appearance restoration on parts, I Vapor Hone then Sonic wash after.



Steve48"at"pacbell.net

[Vulnavia]

Watching a show on the new Mars rover,Perseverance, in the room they were cleaning parts and containers had several ultra sonic parts cleaners with yellow labels and black letters: ACETONE. Something about 10 parts per Million
of dirt or contaminants being as close to clean as they could get. But they would like them cleaner!
Might have to try that... outside in the yard.

Will