Cleaning with ultrasonic cleaner

[LinemanBob]

I cleaned my PM9 yesterday using my new ultrasonic cleaner. It went very well. I used Simple Green Pro HD mixed at 5 to 1 with very hot water. I set the temp on my ultrasonic cleaner at 140 degrees and the timer at 10 minutes. After 10 minutes I took out the parts and scrubbed them with my nylon brush to remove any loose gunk. Then back in the hot solution for another 10 minutes. I drained the parts and refilled my cleaner with clean hot water for a rinse. I let them run for 5 minutes in the hot water and took them out to drain. I dont have my air compressor to blow them dry but coming out of the hot water they dried almost immediately. Then I ran a cleaning patch thru the bore and it came out spotless. I lubed the gun and reassembled it. I added my Crimson Trace laser and adjusted it to align with my sights. All ready to hit the range tomorrow and see if I can do any better. I am a terrible shot and just must keep practicing.

[DJK11]

Did the same to my p380 and pm9 using SG and water. Made a rust covered mess of the striker spring and mag release. Live and learn.

[dirtkicker]

Did the same to my p380 and pm9 using SG and water. Made a rust covered mess of the striker spring and mag release. Live and learn.

Wow, that would suck. What is normally used in those machines?

[LinemanBob]

Did the same to my p380 and pm9 using SG and water. Made a rust covered mess of the striker spring and mag release. Live and learn.

I was concerned about that and I think the heat and lubrication should prevent the rusting. I will keep an eye on it, Thanks

[kenemoore]

A guy on the 1911 forum recently made a detailed positing with his new cleaner. He used Lucas ultrasonic cleaner, said it cost about $100, but worth the money. Should last a long time.
No rust with the Lucas stuff.

https://www.amazon.com/Lucas-Oil-Extreme-Solvent-Ultrasonic/dp/B0784S68BC/ref=sr_1_11?hvadid=178112949266&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9010455&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=13721372320512532379&hvtargid=kwd-135692879071&keywords=lucas+gun+cleaner&qid=1552597646&s=gateway&sr=8-11&tag=googhydr-20

[lee1000]

I wouldn’t bother, they just don’t need to be that clean.

As long as you’re cleaning out the striker channel you should be fine.

[LinemanBob]

I wouldn’t bother, they just don’t need to be that clean.

As long as you’re cleaning out the striker channel you should be fine.

Oh, I am sure you are right. But who buys the gun they really need? We buy the one we want and enjoy doing totally unnecessary things to try to customize or improve the. I am 74 yrs old and can afford to buy a few things I really don't need. I figure having my gun really clean is at least as good as just clean enough to fire.

[Bawanna]

One thing I heed with ultra sonic (never used it personally) but have during my short on the job training period at a gun shop is it removes lube everywhere.

It's important to get that lube back. On Kahrs this isn't too difficult as most everything is pretty accessible. Some guns, revolvers especially have a lot of areas that just aren't accessible unless you pull side plates which can sometimes be a scary thing.

I completely agree with buy what you want and/or need and do what you want. I adhere to that idea more and more as the mileage adds up.

[Maht_g]

First time I’ve ever heard of anyone cleaning an entire gun in an ultrasonic cleaner... I’d say I agree with lee, they just don’t need to be that clean... some of my carry guns I clean once a year, just to blow the sand out of them. Don’t need to eat off of it!

[LinemanBob]

First time I’ve ever heard of anyone cleaning an entire gun in an ultrasonic cleaner... I’d say I agree with lee, they just don’t need to be that clean... some of my carry guns I clean once a year, just to blow the sand out of them. Don’t need to eat off of it!

Well, it is the first time I tried it also. I have been seeing a lot of it on You Tube and it prevents having to do a complete disassembly of the slide. Don't get me wrong, I am not a fanatic about cleaning my guns. When I purchased my PM9, I ran 300 rds thru it before I cleaned it the first time. Took it out of the box and fired 200 rds the first day. No malfunctions by the way. I will also admit that i use more lube than recommended on my guns. I have found that oil is rarely harmful. Anyway it was a fun experience but I won't do it often. Thanks for the input.

[Bawanna]

I put 350 through my PM45 out of the box. I did take it apart to check the striker channel as there were reports of matching junk left behind. Mine was pristine. Didn't Clean till after the 350.

[Ken L]

I've used my ultrasonic cleaner to clean several guns. I've stripped them all down though, then put all the bits and springs in the ultrasonic. Came out absolutely spotless, including the barrel. I really like using it on my Ruger Mk1.

Really does a great job cleaning AR bolt carrier groups, too. Of course, everything needs to be lubed back up, but don't we have to do that after every cleaning?

[LinemanBob]

I've used my ultrasonic cleaner to clean several guns. I've stripped them all down though, then put all the bits and springs in the ultrasonic. Came out absolutely spotless, including the barrel. I really like using it on my Ruger Mk1.

Really does a great job cleaning AR bolt carrier groups, too. Of course, everything needs to be lubed back up, but don't we have to do that after every cleaning?



I look forward to using it on my Ruger Mk IV Competition. I wish I did not have to remove the red dot sight. So the first time I only cleaned the bolt.

[King Rat]

I bought a Sonic cleaner and never looked back. I bought two solutions, one for cleaning and another for lubrication. However, I have not opened either of the two. I wanted to try Ballistol first. Since using the Ballistol, I have had great success. Does a fantastic job of cleaning. After cleaning, I spray out the striker channel with a can of dry air. One thing about Ballistol, is the fact that it does not gunk up.
Does Ballistol resinify or harden?

"Ballistol does not resinify. Most other lubricants are subject to relatively fast aging and oxidation. They harden in time - a process which is called “resinification.” The oil begins to thicken, becomes sticky, gluey, and finally turns into a hard resinous substance. By contrast, Ballistol contains a combination of anti-oxidants and medical oils, which together make it much less susceptible to the process of aging than other lubricants"

When finished, the Ballistol will leave a very fine coat of lubrication on all parts. And I like the fact that it is non toxic. I will also just toss magazines into the cleaner and it cleans them out and also leaves a fine, thin coat of lubrication. The bottom line is that it works. All my guns run fine with no failures. I am ocd when it comes to cleaning striker channels and have found this to be a easy way to keep them clean. Occasionally I will tear the gun all the way down, but they are never gunked up.

I once experimented with a NEW Super Duper lube. Man that crap hardened like glue. Had to tear down about 5 firearms to work at getting it out. I have tried just about every thing out there, but always go back to Ballistol. It works for me.

*Note- I can use Ballistol many times before changing it out. In fact, I do not empty it out of the cleaner since it is non corrosive to the metals. Where must products require you to remove it after use. All the residue floats to the top and I just use a baster to remove.
Solution: 10% Ballistol, 90% water.

[ohboy2]

For drying parts you can use this... just be careful on plastic parts. This is how I dry the many parts I clean in my Ultrasonic Cleaner. https://www.amazon.com/ZeopoCase-Portable-Embossing-Wrapping-Electrical/dp/B073RK2M2Y?

Greg

[ohboy2]

I have used Simple Green Pro HD....(Purple Color) at Home Depot. I use it in a 50-50 mix in my Ultrasonic Cleaner. Then dry the parts with a heat gun.... Just to raise the parts temp so the water evaporates. Always rinse in Distilled water.

[LinemanBob]

I have used Simple Green Pro HD....(Purple Color) at Home Depot. I use it in a 50-50 mix in my Ultrasonic Cleaner. Then dry the parts with a heat gun.... Just to raise the parts temp so the water evaporates. Always rinse in Distilled water.

First time I used mine I mixed 1 : 5 ratio simple green pro. Then did another round in the ultrasonic cleaner with just clean water. The cleaner got it hot enough that the water quickly evaporated when i took them out. Now I have a small air compressor two blow water out of any areas i cannot reach. Then well oiled.

[mirion]

Although I haven't used it for guns yet, I purchased an Ultra Sonic at Harbor Freight for cleaning model airplane engines which can really have baked on gunk, internally and externally. Often times they have been sitting for years and the Castor oil in the fuel completely turns to tar in the bearings. I disassemble them of course and use about 1/3 LA's Totally Awesome cleaner (buy it at the local Dollar Store) and 2/3 water and wow, it does a great job on engines, they look like new. I love this thing.

[CPTKILLER]

https://www.pewpewtactical.com/hornady-vs-harbor-freight-ultrasonic-cleaners-review/

This an interesting comparison.

[kb2qqm1]

The Harbor Freight one is what I’ve been using. It does a pretty good job. What I really need instead of the Simple Green HD pro purple stuff in the Lucas Oil ultrasonic cleaner. It cleans and oils at the same time. It’s a bit pricey though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mirion]

https://www.pewpewtactical.com/hornady-vs-harbor-freight-ultrasonic-cleaners-review/

This an interesting comparison.



The Harbor Freight unit in the review is not the same one I have, mine is larger, has a heater and other features...…

https://www.harborfreight.com/25-liter-ultrasonic-cleaner-63256.html?cid=paid_google|*PLA+-+All+Products+-+Higher+Sales+Items|New+Products+-+%285%29+Price+%2470-100|63256&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&mkwid=snb7DHz23|pcrid|296311617789|pkw||pmt||pdv|c |slid||product|63256|&pgrid=62422489667&ptaid=pla-298937217097&pcid=1458484684&gclid=CjwKCAjwiN_mBRBBEiwA9N-e_qaeF17UrYzOsVAjSXgfx1lxIWV5P62tyKkx8WOEdzfhnCotm T23YxoCmxUQAvD_BwE

[Ken L]

^^ that's the HF ultrasonic that I have. I use the heater when I clean about anything.

[RustyIron]

To clarify, are you saying that you put the assembled frame in the ultrasonic cleaner without disassembling it?

That seems like an ill-advised method of cleaning anything.

[LinemanBob]

Personally I don't. I remove the slide, barrel and recoil spring. I clean them all together along with the frame.

[King Rat]

Use the Hornady and Ballistol milk. I have a can of expensive cleaner and a can of their lube, but after trying ballistol, I find no reason to open them. I put the whole gun in and Blow out and dry with a can of compressed air. All my guns run great. Cleans them very well and leaves a very fine, light coat of oil. Can use it many times over. Cleans magazine great as well. All the debris will float to the top and I use a turkey baster to remove.

Notice how dirty the top layer is. Underneath the liquid is milky white and clean. Ballistol is non toxic and does not gum up or harden. Love the way it leave the light, thin coat of lube on all parts. No need to empty and and a lubricant. It is a all-in-one cleaner lubricant.

https://i.imgur.com/h93n1Pn.jpg?2