ultrasonic cleaner-one of the best purchases I've made

[DaveInCA]

I worked at a shop many years ago that had an ultrasonic cleaner. It was filled with LPS-1, a thin oil. I could pull the grips off of my Combat Commander and drop it in whole and it would come out clean. I've sure missed that piece of equipment.

After years of longing my wife bought me an Ultrateck SH180-4L 4 liter cleaner about a year ago. This thing works great, and is real tool not a toy. I wouldn't go smaller, but bigger? Maybe....

After much research on the web, I've settled on using simple green and water for most cleaning. Once my items are clean, I rinse them under the faucet, blow them dry and then dunk it in a tray of gun oil.

I was just drying and then hand oiling everything but I found that the springs in my magazines would start to rust in just minutes. I bought a gallon of ultrasonic gun oil from Brownells, and now I just dunk it and let it drip dry. Problem solved.

Not only does it do my guns, but it cleans up my hand tools, my wife's jewelry sparkles, and it even cleans up my paint brushes.

Anyone else hooked on these? Oh, and if you want one check around, they are on eBay and amazon for about half the price.

[CJB]

I've used my share of ultrasonic cleaners - used to clean gun stuff in the drafting pen cleaner !!!! That was ok when I ran the design and drafting department.

There are things US's will not touch - lead, burn marks etc.

Maybe I'm showin my ol' school ways, but there is a certain fascination to field stripping, getting out the rods and Hoppe's Bench Rest... the patches, the brushes... the detail work that makes the whole process one of bonding, understanding, and don't forget the careful inspection.

If I had 50 guns to clean - gimme that tank and stand back. For the few I shoot at a time... I'm gonna take my time, clean 'em the leisurely and stinky way.

[DaveInCA]

To be honest, I only put them in the cleaner every 4 or 5 times I clean them, and then I do all the guns that have been fired since the last time, usually 3 or 4 of them. It is a bit of work to fill it up and empty it out.
But I must say, they look like new when done, especially my satin nickle Commander that seems to hold on to every little bit of dirt.
And when it comes to cleaning the guts of a revolver, well I can't think of an easier more practical way.

[CJB]

Remember Simple Green is hell on aluminum....

[olympicmotorcars]

I have always heard to go very easy on the oil, won't it get in places you don't want, like the striker channel, and potentially gum things up ?

[Mike_B]

I enjoy cleaning my guns too- it's very relaxing. But this ultrasonic thing really appeals to the Tim the Toolman in me!

[skiflydive]

I used to sell LPS and LPS ultrasonic cleaners. The system of choice in most of the LE armories in my territory. They mostly used LPS electronic cleaner or LPS Super Clean and not LPS 1, which is a thin wax based lubricant not oil based. LPS stands for lubricates, penetrates, stops rust.

[chuckt]

I use an utrasonic to clean brass before loading and once in a while, the polymer parts of my pistols. For the brass, I use a special brass cleaner, for everything else, a few drops of dish detergent.

[DaveInCA]

Remember Simple Green is hell on aluminum....

I didn't know that! I'll stick with the dish soap for aluminum from now on.

[jocko]

Remember Simple Green is hell on aluminum....

I'll bite.CJB is that good or bad. u gotta exsplain this sh-t in more detail to us northerners.:crazy:

[DaveInCA]

I have always heard to go very easy on the oil, won't it get in places you don't want, like the striker channel, and potentially gum things up ?

When the parts come out of the cleaner, there is no oil left anywhere.
I was concerned about the small springs rusting. I do clean out the striker channel and wipe everything down when I'm done.

[HDoc]

After much research on the web, I've settled on using simple green and water for most cleaning. Once my items are clean, I rinse them under the faucet, blow them dry and then dunk it in a tray of gun oil.

Not only does it do my guns, but it cleans up my hand tools, my wife's jewelry sparkles, and it even cleans up my paint brushes.

Anyone else hooked on these? Oh, and if you want one check around, they are on eBay and amazon for about half the price.

After years of complaints from the EPA and DOE, my former employer changed the degreasing formula in the nuclear pipe wash from some god awful chemical soup to Simple Green and everyone was more than happy with the results.
If you don't think that clean nuclear reactor pipes aren't a critical function, please give up your guns now.....

[vanbo]

Old thread, but unable to find anything else current about ultrasonic cleaning... I recently bought a Kendall US cleaner. I'm using L&R Gun cleaning solution, and L&R lubricating solution. A comment and a question...

1) I have a P9, black... I ran the slide through the cleaner... uh, I can say not a good idea. It's no longer black. It's more of a dark charcoal color. I'm quite sure the finish would get completely removed eventually, so I'll never run the slide through again.

2) Regarding polymer lower... OK to run through a US cleaner? If so, I assume I'd also run it through the lubricating solution afterwards, to ensure all the springs and other metal pieces are lubricated properly?

I can say I love the results, as it really knocks the crud off the nasty parts! AR15 bolt and firing pin assembles come out very nice; 20 minute cycle, with hot water (50 decree Celsius). My satin stainless revolver (Ruger blackhawk bisley, .45colt comes out looking like new. The only real scrubbing I have to do is the bore, but it definitely loosens stuff up nicely in there as well.

[Bawanna]

I've seen blued guns come out of the ultra sonic like that a dull gray.

Put a drop of oil on it and you can see the drop travel. Once oiled it returned to it's natural color. Can't say this is always the case but it was on the ones I saw.

I've never dipped mine, I did dabble some on reloading brass but prefer my old tumbler, not crazy about wet.

[jocko]

When the parts come out of the cleaner, there is no oil left anywhere.
I was concerned about the small springs rusting. I do clean out the striker channel and wipe everything down when I'm done.

concerned about smallsprings maybe rusting, I recommend Remintpon Dry spray. Not gummy, lubricates and stays pur Good clean guns normally don't rust over night either,or for that matter for quite a while either but in doubt just gho on line and you can buy in any quyanties the silica packiets to store with the gun etc

I honeslty have never read of any kahr ownew reporting rusted springs anywhere on the gun . but no doubt certain climatic areas require different metods of care:Amflag2:

[wyntrout]

Research the cleaner liquids for use with everything because different solvent/cleaners can be bad for stuff like aluminum and plastic/polymer! The DLC is a very hard finish, but I'm sure that some of the finishes like that are different. Some things react chemically and form ions and new compounds!

Wynn:)

[AIRret]

concerned about smallsprings maybe rusting, I recommend Remintpon Dry spray. Not gummy, lubricates and stays pur Good clean guns normally don't rust over night either,or for that matter for quite a while either but in doubt just gho on line and you can buy in any quyanties the silica packiets to store with the gun etc

I honeslty have never read of any kahr ownew reporting rusted springs anywhere on the gun . but no doubt certain climatic areas require different metods of care:Amflag2:

We use Rem-oil Jocko. How does that differ from Remington Dry Spray? If you know that is. You may have never used Rem-oil and therefore wouldn't know how they compare.

[wyntrout]

I have used both. The dry stuff is not wet like the oil. I think there's Teflon in the dry spray and the aerosol propellant/carrier dries and doesn't attract crud as oil and grease do.

Wynn:)

[AIRret]

Thanks wyntrout.

[muggsy]

I love the smell of Hoppes #9. If I could afford it, I'd bathe in it. I've used it as mouth wash with limited success. You wanna talk old school. Now that's old school. :)

[ORSalesRep]

Old thread, but unable to find anything else current about ultrasonic cleaning... I recently bought a Kendall US cleaner. I'm using L&R Gun cleaning solution, and L&R lubricating solution. A comment and a question...

1) I have a P9, black... I ran the slide through the cleaner... uh, I can say not a good idea. It's no longer black. It's more of a dark charcoal color. I'm quite sure the finish would get completely removed eventually, so I'll never run the slide through again.

2) Regarding polymer lower... OK to run through a US cleaner? If so, I assume I'd also run it through the lubricating solution afterwards, to ensure all the springs and other metal pieces are lubricated properly?

I can say I love the results, as it really knocks the crud off the nasty parts! AR15 bolt and firing pin assembles come out very nice; 20 minute cycle, with hot water (50 decree Celsius). My satin stainless revolver (Ruger blackhawk bisley, .45colt comes out looking like new. The only real scrubbing I have to do is the bore, but it definitely loosens stuff up nicely in there as well.

I have used an Ultrasonic cleaner on my P9 many times. I agree with the comments about oiling afterwards to restore the color and finish. Remember, the ultrasonic cleaner has stripped away all the oils and completely degreased your slide. Youbjust need to put them back.

[vanbo]

I have used an Ultrasonic cleaner on my P9 many times. I agree with the comments about oiling afterwards to restore the color and finish. Remember, the ultrasonic cleaner has stripped away all the oils and completely degreased your slide. Youbjust need to put them back.

What cleaning solution do you use? Also, do you put your lower thru the cleaner as well?

[ORSalesRep]

What cleaning solution do you use? Also, do you put your lower thru the cleaner as well?

I put all parts in. Slide, frame, magazine (disassembled), recoil rod and spring, etc. I use Chem-Crest 235, but keep in mind, my experience was the same as yours. When I pulled my frame out, it was almost white until I re-applied all the lubricants that it needed to get back to normal.

[vanbo]

I put all parts in. Slide, frame, magazine (disassembled), recoil rod and spring, etc. I use Chem-Crest 235, but keep in mind, my experience was the same as yours. When I pulled my frame out, it was almost white until I re-applied all the lubricants that it needed to get back to normal.

Ok, thanks. I have reoiled the slide a few times, but obviously need to wipe it down pretty good for carrying. Maybe I need to let it soak in oil a bit more after cleaning.