preach
preach UberDork
12/29/24 8:43 a.m.

Mrs. p got me an ultrasonic cleaner for Xmas. She said that The Samba forum said it is a must have, thus her rational to get one.

I've worked on cars for 46 years and submarines for 16. I have never needed an ultrasonic cleaning tank. 

I got a hammer store parts cleaner with Royal Purple in it and I barely use that. Mostly I use brake cleaner bare-handed (you know so your hands dry out miserably).

Am I missing something?

EDIT: It's probably a cheap Temu one if I had to guess so I don't think its really worth returning but why do I need one?

Cousin_Eddie (Forum Supporter)
Cousin_Eddie (Forum Supporter) SuperDork
12/29/24 8:53 a.m.

Let me show you what 30 minutes in my ultrasonic did for my Goldwing carbs. 
 

I don't know if you need one or not, but I know I wouldn't ever want to be without one again. 

californiamilleghia
californiamilleghia UberDork
12/29/24 11:54 a.m.
Cousin_Eddie (Forum Supporter) said:

Let me show you what 30 minutes in my ultrasonic did for my Goldwing carbs. ................

I don't know if you need one or not, but I know I wouldn't ever want to be without one again. 

that looks amazing , which cleaning fluid did you use ?

Thanks

Cousin_Eddie (Forum Supporter)
Cousin_Eddie (Forum Supporter) SuperDork
12/29/24 1:00 p.m.

In reply to californiamilleghia :

Mild mixture of Purple Power and water. I buy the Purple Power in a big jug at Walmart for 20 odd dollars. 

brandonsmash
brandonsmash HalfDork
12/29/24 5:51 p.m.

I rather like my ultrasonic cleaner. The material you're cleaning will inform your cleaner of choice; I generally use Simple Green and water on steel, but that will discolor aluminum. 

Pro tip: Buy a cheap immersion heater that you just keep with the tank. It will get your water up to temp much faster and save a lot of waiting and irritation. 

Trent
Trent UltimaDork
12/29/24 7:14 p.m.

a light splash of degreaser in the water, put your eyeglasses or sunglasses in it then watch what happens when you turn it on.  An ultrasonic cleaner does amazing things.

SkinnyG
SkinnyG PowerDork
12/29/24 8:18 p.m.
brandonsmash said:

"irritation" 

Ha.  Ha-ha.

But seriously, there is no reason not to buy tools.  HAVING the option to ultrasonically clean things makes whatever task you are doing a potentially happier occasion.

Buy the biggest one you're willing to purchase, and it's ready whenever you need it.

I did the Hydraulic Lash Adjusters from my wife's Hyundai Accent in mine, using mineral spirits and a watchful eye.  It never caught fire, and the result was so amazing I want to do the HLA's on mine next.

TurboFource
TurboFource Dork
12/31/24 7:52 a.m.

You can puts parts with a "specific" cleaning solution in a smaller container set inside the larger body of liquid to conserve that solution and it will still clean and keep the dirt contained in that smaller container too.

JoeR808
JoeR808 New Reader
5/7/25 2:29 a.m.

Now i want one but which one should i get?

Dusterbd13
Dusterbd13 MegaDork
5/7/25 6:17 a.m.

My wife got me one for Easter. 

Im glad this popped up, as i have no idea how to use it!!

Mr_Asa
Mr_Asa MegaDork
5/7/25 9:01 a.m.

I've had good results with mineral spirits, acetone, and other solvents in an old pickle jar with the parts inside, then set that in the tank and fill that with straight tap water.

Allows you to do multiple items, with different fluids at once while not filling the whole container with flammable solvents

donttellmywiferacing
donttellmywiferacing New Reader
5/7/25 3:29 p.m.

ultrasonic cleaners are awesome assets to have, and you can get a 30L one on amazon with a heater that works well for $300. I have 90-180 gallon ones we use at work (i work for a space start up)

I recently started a vapor honing business mostly geared to parts restoration, and my first customer is an E9/10 resto shop in Los Angeles. I've found a lot of the small parts like thermostat housings and carb parts benefit tremendously from an ultrasonic bath before they get treatment. I think if you experiment with that tool a little bit, you'll be really pumped on it

donttellmywiferacing
donttellmywiferacing New Reader
5/7/25 3:31 p.m.

In reply to JoeR808 :

https://www.vevor.com/ultrasonic-cleaner-c_11064/30l-ultrasonic-cleaner-stainless-steel-industry-heated-heater-w-timer-p_010569648062?adp=gmc&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_id=20881165674&ad_group=156718974363&ad_id=685590443687&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20881165674&gbraid=0AAAAACq8bLXqzDud6yCgZJrcC8yMVqkHL&gclid=CjwKCAjwiezABhBZEiwAEbTPGHQIo8vDJpMNoR2C8T1q56nfFfBwxW8ghGXsBXSjycedIQb4sbNOkBoCRX8QAvD_BwE

 

i have this one, i also have the smaller harbor freight one and i use it for all kinds of stuff cant go wrong with either one.

JoeR808
JoeR808 New Reader
5/7/25 5:03 p.m.

In reply to donttellmywiferacing :

Mahalo! Ill do more research and probably get that one lol

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