As the title states, I'm going to pick up an ultrasonic cleaner while I've got an ebay promo. Unfortunately, it doesn't include anything in the "Business and Industrial" or "eBay Motors" categories, which sucks. There are some models in the "Watches and Jewelry" category though. Anyone have thoughts on the following models? (Sorry, I'm not entirely sure on rules of eBay linking, since I'm not trying to advertise anything here. If its a no-no, just PM me and I will edit them out.) If anyone has any specific models they like, feel free to recommend. I would like if it is big enough to hold a carburetor, and I don't do overseas shipping (N.A. please).
Ended up getting the 6L version of item #191274344323. Should be here by next week thursday. If anyone cares, I'll post a mini-review in this thread. I have access to Fisher Scientific versa-clean at work and will probably try that first. It isn't much more than low sudsing dish detergent (cocamide DEA and alcohol ethoxylate). The product data sheet explicitly indicates that it is safe on aluminum and in ultrasonic cleaners. I'll probably try 30:1 dilution to start. Stay tuned...
I have a 1.4L unit similar to the first in your list. I've had it for 6 years & use it to clean ammo cases & other items. I use a 50/50 mix of white vinegar & water, with a skirt of car wash (no salt !) to act a degreaser. 3 minutes will do ammo, if you presoak other items that will reduce the time for other objects. use carb cleaner to clean carbs, again a good presoak will make it quicker. Remember to rinse in clean water before allowing to dry, you can use an oven to rapid dry but keep the temps low to avoid damage.
When you say clean water, do you mean distilled or is tap water good enough? I have a cheapie Harbor Freight ultrasonic cleaner that I bought for my wife to use on her jewelry and she has never opened it. Figured I would use it for something.
I would use distilled water for a final rinse (like we do with lab ware) if I was going to let the items air dry. If towel drying, I wouldn't bother. It also depends on the concentration of dissolved salts in your tap water and how many small cavities are in the item.
Carb cleaner is NOT harsh to carbs, only to fuel residue. If you need ultrasonic cleaning on carb internals then that will not be enough to remove varnish & gum. A soak in carb cleaner then UC in carb cleaner will work wonders on the internals.
If it just external or just for general cleaning the best tip I have seen & I use is road traffic film cleaner, it destroys dirt, spray on wait a little wash off, clean !
Carb cleaner is NOT harsh to carbs, only to fuel residue. If you need ultrasonic cleaning on carb internals then that will not be enough to remove varnish & gum. A soak in carb cleaner then UC in carb cleaner will work wonders on the internals.
If it just external or just for general cleaning the best tip I have seen & I use is road traffic film cleaner, it destroys dirt, spray on wait a little wash off, clean !
REALLY ??
being a motorcycle tech for 20 years and owning a bicycle shop as a teenager along with the words " carb cleaner " i never thought of that!!
and after all those carb write ups i have done... :wacko:
:goofy:
ARE YOU CRAZY????
carb cleaner is TOXIC!!!! :computer-noworky:
thats why it has warning signs all over it!! :comp13:
for god sakes man, why do you think it burns when you leave it on your skin??
the point of the ultra sonic CLEANER it to CLEAN WITHOUT THE USE OF HARSH CHEMICALS!!!
PEROID!!
they clean entire engines in HUGE set ups with out using ANY non biodegradable cleaner!!
thats the damned point.!!
either use one or the other! your wasting youre time using both !!! :rolleyes:
Oh don't get me wrong, just because I want it big enough for a carb (or bank of carbs), doesn't mean that is the only thing I intend to use it for. #1 on my shit list is a sticky VNT system on my Golf TDI. People have had great results using ultrasonic to clean the diesel carbon and crap out of the hot side housing of the VNT-15 turbocharger. Also have a pile of brake system parts, ammo cases, etc... Additionally, I can use this indoors without filling the basement with hydrocarbons, since working outside in the WI winter is not my idea of fun or relaxing. I couldn't even count the number of cans of carb and brake cleaner that have evaporated out of my garage over the years.
gll429, I assume you've used an ultrasonic to clean carbs, got any suggestions on what chemicals/detergents to use? There are about a million different concoctions given by people with various levels of experience on the internet, and I know you've been in the trade for a long time.
i have used the cleaner, however.. the stuff added was in a HUGE 50 gallon drum and marked over.. it was "add 2 big schoops of this and add all the the parts to the tank via the sky hook "
so no damned clue what works best.. sorry. :sad:
the shop literally hung parts from an over head rack via coat hangers so no basket was needed..
i tried using a "large" harbor freight model.. with their cleaner.. it didnt do anything...i mean NOTHING to a single rebel carb.. so scratch them off your list.
as for the diesel stuff. yep!! the right tank and cleaner will make your parts look like new! :fing02:
End of thread · 10 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 21 Jun 2015