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Ultrasonic Cleaning...

Darren

Darren

Well-Known Member
Does anyone here use an ultrasonic cleaner to clean brass? If so what is the best solution/fluid to use for brass cleaning?

The reason that I ask is that I want to clean some brass clockwork internals of a few of my fuzes, to try and clean all of the small brass cogs, springs etc with brasso would be impossible I should imagine.

I did experiment with a few old bits and bobs in my ultrasonic cleaner using just water and fairy liquid, although it did get the items really clean they were not as shiney as I would have liked. Aside from that the ultrasonic cleaner is a great piece of kit as it cleans in all of the tiny nooks and crannies that you would not normally be able to clean.

Darren
 
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Hi Darren,

maybe like some others on here, I'm always interested to hear about different cleaning/preserving techniques used. Would it be possible to show some before/after shots of items cleaned with just water? (then if you do get round to using solution, some photos also of those)

I wish you luck with any cleaning you may undertake.

regards Kev
 
butterfly said:
Hi Darren,

maybe like some others on here, I'm always interested to hear about different cleaning/preserving techniques used. Would it be possible to show some before/after shots of items cleaned with just water? (then if you do get round to using solution, some photos also of those)

I wish you luck with any cleaning you may undertake.

regards Kev
Click to expand...

Hi Kev,

Yes no problem, next week sometime I will clean a couple of things with just the warm water and washing up liquid in the ultrasonic cleaner. I will put a couple of before and after photos here for you. You will be surprised what a 3 or 4 minute clean can remove in one of these machines.

Darren
 
darren said:
Hi Kev,

Yes no problem, next week sometime I will clean a couple of things with just the warm water and washing up liquid in the ultrasonic cleaner. I will put a couple of before and after photos here for you. You will be surprised what a 3 or 4 minute clean can remove in one of these machines.

Darren
Click to expand...

And for me also, i am very interested! :)

Best
E
 
Darren,

I have used an Ultrasonic cleaner to clean carburettors to good effect.

I use white spirit as the cleaning fluid and my cleaner has a heater which helps.

The white spirit is much better at shifting corrosion from aluminium and brass.

I put the parts in a plastic milk carton which I fill with the white spirit and fill the rest of the tank with water.

I tend to clean for a few hours, but you need to to up the water as it evaporates.

Will.
 
darren said:
Does anyone here use an ultrasonic cleaner to clean brass? If so what is the best solution/fluid to use for brass cleaning?
Click to expand...

Hi Darren,

"Great minds think alike"!

I actually bought a small one about a year ago but haven't actually got around to testing/using it for that same purpose. I also had the exact same question re which fluid? I haven't progress any further.......:tinysmile_cry_t:

{Perhaps I should stop spending time on online forums and more time down in my Alpha Male ManCave!!!! :wink:}
Cheers
Drew
 
glevum said:
I use white spirit as the cleaning fluid and my cleaner has a heater which helps.

The white spirit is much better at shifting corrosion from aluminium and brass.
Click to expand...

Hi Will,

Ah Yes the "good old" dry cleaning fluid!

Humm, you got me keen again!

Cheers
Drew
 
Darren,

About a month ago, I was surfing the net looking for relaoding bench plans and came across a couple of articles about ultrasonic case cleaning. I put them into word files for later reference, as I intend to start doing it.

In one article, the author actually tested various liquids and compared them, which seems to be what you are looking for. Now if BOCN will allow me to attach them......

Well, that's not working. Try searching the internet for "Ultrasonic case cleaning made easy" by Jason Baney at:

http://accurateshooter.net

Brownells also has a good article on the process.
 
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Drew,

White Spirit in the UK is a paint thinner for domestic paint also known as turpentine substitute. I think it is also known as stoddard solvent.

It is not turpentine.

Will.
 
glevum said:
Darren,

I have used an Ultrasonic cleaner to clean carburettors to good effect.

I use white spirit as the cleaning fluid and my cleaner has a heater which helps.

The white spirit is much better at shifting corrosion from aluminium and brass.

I put the parts in a plastic milk carton which I fill with the white spirit and fill the rest of the tank with water.

I tend to clean for a few hours, but you need to to up the water as it evaporates.

Will.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips Will, my cleaner also has a heater so should be ok for the job. I have found some specialist cleaner that clock repairers use for brass movements and swear by but it is 40 a bottle!

I may well experiment with some white spirit while I think about purchasing the above.

Cheers,
Darren
 
HAZORD said:
Darren,

About a month ago, I was surfing the net looking for relaoding bench plans and came across a couple of articles about ultrasonic case cleaning. I put them into word files for later reference, as I intend to start doing it.

In one article, the author actually tested various liquids and compared them, which seems to be what you are looking for. Now if BOCN will allow me to attach them......

Well, that's not working. Try searching the internet for "Ultrasonic case cleaning made easy" by Jason Baney at:

http://accurateshooter.net

Brownells also has a good article on the process.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the info Hazord, I will indeed search and read.

Cheers,
Darren
 
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