I recently purchased an ultrasonic cleaner to remove and strip paint. I have heard a variety of ‘mixes’ to run in the ultrasonic cleaner. Does anyone have a recommendation on ‘mixes’ that worked?
Thanks in advance for your help
I just use Polly S ELO paint stripper, beware [}:)][}:)] An extended stay in a ultrasonic cleaner can cause heat problems, I feel my solution to make sure it’s still cool, The ultra-sonic cleaner can cause the solution to warm up and actually warp plastic. Trust me I know [banghead][banghead]
I have owned one of the Ultrasonic unit for almost thirty years and have always used water with just a few drops of liquid dish soap added to clean anything from brass to plastic.
They are great for cleaning small parts or complete body chassis assemblies after they are disassembled for painting or cleaning.
My unit is still working as advertised after all these years and we use it for cleaning jewelry or anything else I want to clean.
I have heard that some use other chemicals in the unit, but it is dangerous and not recommended in any house or enclosure. It might be OK outside, but a warning is probably included with the directions not to use chemicals in this unit.
I normally glass bead brass before painted, and then wash in water before I insert it in the ultrasonic for about thirty minutes of cleaning. The item must be washed carefully again after cleaning and dried before painting. This is the time you should hold the item to be painted with rubber gloves to avoid any finger prints or oil from your hands to be transferred to the clean item.
Never let them run until the water gets hot or you might burn out the drivers in the unit. I normally check it after twenty minutes or so and the water will begin to warm, which is OK, but running them hot can damage the amplifier.
Enjoy it, It is a great tool.
I find your comments interesting about the heat causing damage warp in plastic. Most of my work is 99% brass, but I did do some plastic and I only used water and a few drops of soap. It wil clean them and no damage will happen as long as you monitor the time and heat of the water.
Did your unit warn you of using chemicals of any kind in the ultrasonic??
Your comment about the ultrasonic causing the solution to warm up is correct since the whole process is vibrating the water pass the item and this causing heat to be generated. That is why most chemicals are not recommended as they react even more with heat than water and soap.
Thanks guys. I think I’ll try the dish soap first since I have it under the sink. I’ll be sure to keep an eye on the water temp as well.
I use it to actually strip paint, I buy whats available and strip and paint my own locos. Mostly SP of course and my private road, not so much to clean. Yes you have to be careful with chemicals of course, but ELO is quite benign. As you stated of course, it warms up quicker than water.
banger i agree
I think I’ll order some Polly S ELO as well. I must admit, I missed the word ‘clean’ in the reply. I am planning to strip paint off plastic shells.
Don’t get me wrong, If you don’t feel comfortable using it in the cleaner, ELO is great by itself as a stripper, work great, I just tend to be in a hurry most of the time so I use the Ultra to speed up the process.
I like speed. I have lots to strip, and I want to spend time doing something other than watching the ultrasonic cleaner run.
Just watch the heat !!!
Is the Polly S ELO safe for all plastic shells? Most of my stuff is Athearn and Walthers, but there are a few others in there, should I look out for a certain manf’s and use alternate methods.
I have an ultrasonic cleaner and have been trying the Eurosonic cleaner available from MicroMark. I mixed the solution according to the instructions with no luck in cleaning the factory paint from an Athearn box car shell, even after multiple runs at 15 minutes each. Since Polly S ELO is water based, it should be ok for use in the cleaner. I’ve also been told Pinesol in water works. Also, my cleaner heats the water but not enough to soften the plastic.
For those of you that use Polly S ELO, do you dilute it in water or use it straight in your ultrasonic cleaner?
My cleaner shuts off automatically after 15 minutes of run time.
I use it straight, I remove the unit every now and then and give it a scrub with a soft toothbrush. ELO is re usable too, even though it looks like heck after you use it a few times, still works fine. I do filter it through a coffee filter between uses to get the chunks out.