Sonic Cleaning. Not to beat a dead horse but..

[wwhalenc]

I'm trying to figure out what to use (other than sonic cleaning solution of course) in my sonic cleaner to do various engine parts. So there are plenty of posts on Simple Green. What I don't understand is, why not add some bicarbonate solution to the cleaning solution--or does the cleaning action rely on it being slightly corrosive.

Has anyone found something safer and/or better (specifically to use w/ the ultrasonic cleaner)? --C
Thanks for any answers.

[88911coupe]

Interested in this as well...I have a sonic cleaner and have wondered what else I can put in it other than water. Owners manual says nothing flammable which makes sense but what have others used that worked?

[wwhalenc]

Just tried some Simple Green on cam towers. Not impressed. The water got dirty, but the towers sure didn't get too clean. It was pretty dilute though--scared by the corrosive potential.

[930gt-40r]

I dont have a sonic cleaner, but I get good results with high pressure hot water and castrol superclean

[chris_seven]

Try here:

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_WW/electronics/home/productsandservices/products/Novec_Precision_Cleaning_Fluids/Compare/

Some of the early Ultrasonic cleaning fluids were CFC based and aren't available now. 3m's range seems useful.

[sc_rufctr]

I use an old domestic dish washer... Works perfect with "Finish" tablets.

You'd be surprised what you can fit in there.

I recently put all of the alloy castings for the 915 gearbox through it in two loads. Get the parts clean using solvent and a brush.. Pressure wash afterwards with plane water and then into the dishwasher... 120 minutes later.... Wipe over with some WD40 and a clean rag.

[wwhalenc]

Great info. Thanks! Hmm...I haven't used my dishwasher in years. Tempting.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by wwhalenc

Great info. Thanks! Hmm...I haven't used my dishwasher in years. Tempting.

I bought a second hand dishwasher from "CashConverters" for $80...
I wouldn't use the one in my kitchen.

[HawgRyder]

I prefer ultrasonic cleaners with trichlorethelene.
They heat and vibrate....and the best cleaning seems to be in the "fog" above the liquid.
Bob

[bob deluke]

Bob,

Hope you're not breathing that stuff, very toxic..When I worked at Carrier Corp. we had a huge heated trich tank that chiller castings were dipped into for cleaning. Did a great job, in the fog as you say, not the liquid. The guy who ran the tank was a little squirly acting. We used to bring in car parts for cleaning and they came out squeeky clean. That Tric was nasty stuff, heated to about 180 degrees F. If you ever got near the tank opening, it would knock you out and in you go, never to be seen again! Those were the good old days, trich and R-11 refrigerant, another great cleaning fluid.

[HawgRyder]

I hear you.
The guys that ran the tank in my case just LOVED to come to work...LOL
ALso...in the coating process for the inside of the big pipes we made...we used a two-part paint .. epoxy of some kind I think..and they mixed it up in 45 gallon drums with an old canoe paddle.
I watched the guy puffing away on a smoke and stirring the goop.
He seemed VERY happy!
I wonder where he is now....hmmmm
Bob

[bob deluke]

Bob,

We had a nickname for the guy who ran the Trich tank, "Gerry the germ". He had a little mustache like Hitler's and we thought he may have been a Nazi in a prior life. He used to smoke all the time, even near the tank. Eat his lunch near his work station and don't believe he ever washed his hands before eating. This was in the early-mid 70's when I was at Carrier. I wonder if he's still alive!!

[lindemans]

Dishwashing powder is very powerfull stuff.
I use it to clean my tools as well; not necessarily in the diswasher....

The power is really in the powder, not the machine; a tablet in a bucket of hot water works great.