Ultrasonic cleaning

alexanderfoti

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cleverdicky

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So what make of bath did you use?
I've used many in my time and I know the range between quality and effectiveness can be vast.

Also did you use plain water in the bath or a solvent?

Thanks.
 
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alexanderfoti

alexanderfoti

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Mine was a generic ebay jobby, identical to this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-5L-Ultr...?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Other&hash=item2323e3b248

I am currently experimenting:

Firstly, I have now suspended the tray that items sit on so it doesn't touch the bottom of the tank. Apparently its bad for it to do so, and reduces the cleaning effectiveness.

I have been using a bit of washing up liquid and normal water, although a lot of people reccomend "simple green". The closest to this in the UK appears to be Dettol, so I may give it a go.

I have noticed, if I put greasy parts in there, it does nothing to them at all. I have to de grease them in brake cleaner first, THEN put them in the ultrasonic cleaner. Ideally, dettol will resolve this and do it all in on stage, as 1L of brake cleaner isn't that cheap.

What do you use?
 

cleverdicky

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Depends on what's being cleaned.
For home use :) I often use a solvent like methanol or acetone (or even a mix)
But work use is usually distilled water.

The best tried and tested method is to suspend or hold the item just under the water level using a retort stand and clamp if large. Or if small parts use a beaker (with parts in solvent) and suspend that at around the water level.

Reason I asked about the bath is few have built in timers. Yours looks a very good quality one.
 
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alexanderfoti

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I have been warned against using acetone etc as my one heats the mixture and it could be a fire risk?

Thats what I thought with regards to suspending it. I have been using wire to hold the tray up but will give it a go with the next part :)
 

cleverdicky

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Well it would have to get VERY hot to be a fire risk. Like a naked flame or spark. And I've never managed it yet :)
Solvent, any solvent have a low boiling point and will boil off very quickly. No question the fumes could be ignited, but that's a big if.
You would have to have the water bath very hot to boil any suspended in a beaker, and even then not really enough to go bang.
If you filled the bath with acetone or IPA or ethanol (alcohol ) it would still boil away before getting hot enough and going bang. You would have to ignite the fumes somehow.
It is fine to have solvent in a beaker suspended in the bath.
A bit smelly and wouldn't be healthy in a confined space. Ideally you need a laminar flow or a fume cupboard. But at home I've put the cooker extraction to use for this many times. ;)

Make sure the cookers off though. (although I have used the cooker for boiling caustic soda - now that IS nasty stuff)
 
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alexanderfoti

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Aha! Makes complete sense, Especially if the bath is water, and just the beaker full of solvent. Thats a good point.

Next time I will give it ago with some brake cleaner and a glass beaker, just need a stand :)

Many thanks
 

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I used to repair them, the industrial ones,,,when used all day the tanks would leak where the head was glued on as it fractured all round where the head was mounted,,, I often had one at home and I used what ever chemicals were needed depending on what was being cleaned
 
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alexanderfoti

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I dont think there is anything you haven't done malc :)
 

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alexanderfoti

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Hmm I may give it a go next time I need the cleaner, although its a tad expensive :(
 

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alexanderfoti

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Ah right yes! I did think 12 pounds for a spray bottle was a bit steep. Will give it a go, thanks!
 

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To clean alloy bodies like this you can buy an air powered sand blaster from LIDL or ALDI I think for around £12 and use baking soda it also neutralises rust, well normal rust not Mercedes rust;
Read this http://www.sodablasting.com/about-sodablasting/
Everthing on the blasting side has to be very dry and you have to get the right soda mine was a gift and I need to find some more.
 

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alexanderfoti

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To clean alloy bodies like this you can buy an air powered sand blaster from LIDL or ALDI I think for around £12 and use baking soda it also neutralises rust, well normal rust not Mercedes rust;
Read this http://www.sodablasting.com/about-sodablasting/

I did think about using something like this, but I dont have an air compressor, nor anywhere to store it :( Im sure it would be useful for things that cant be submersed as well
 

Frontstep

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Its not in the same league as the pro kit but it will do up to alloy wheels size and you can wash it away, or I suppose put some in your scones.
 

television

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Ultrasonic cleaners are very good for money laundering :rolleyes:
 
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alexanderfoti

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Although saying that, i am im moving into a new property soon. So i may go down the air compressor and sandblaster route for other type things :) what do you mean malc;
 


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