Ultrasonic Cleaner, carb cleaning, what works best

[HKZ Bob]

Dear All,

I am playing around with an Ultrasonic Cleaning process and would like to start this treat in order to exchange experience.

I have dipped an Edelbrock Carb into Ultrasonic bath hot fluid filled with Mr.Propper.
This is a typical household cleaner.

The Carb comes out clean removes grease, but it has stains and some white oxide is attached to it.

I was disappointing because I had to extra clean it.

Maybe you have some good experience to share.

Thank you

[cornernfool]

I use Simple Green in my heated ultrasonic. But it will stain if I leave it in to long.

[Spenny_b]

Hi Bob, not sure whether you've seen this thread ...very similar discussion, may be helpful.

[HKZ Bob]

Yes I have seen it, but my point is not to degrease it or remove the gunk.

I am interested to find a solvent that does a perfect decorative surface finish.

I have seen restorers to putting carbon black (soot pouder form) in their cleaning solvent
to give the casting a Vintage OEM finish.



I would like to understand how to get a perfect finish!!!!


Thank you forum.

Greeting
Bob

[HKZ Bob]

Attached two pictures were the restorer put the parts in an ultrasonic bath with
carbon particles (soot)


Looks nice but done by after ultrasonic treatment.

[HKZ Bob]

here an article from the web.

[Conda Green 71t]

I use ultra sonics all the time - both heated and non heated. I use them primarily for jewelry manufacture, but from time to time I use use them for car or motorbike parts during restoration or repair.

I do not see the ultra sonic as a means to restoring surface finish - it's use for me is (in reference to carburetors) to remove build up of sediment / dirt from areas that would be otherwise impossible to access. Degreasing obviously being a part of this process too.

The wonderful thing about the ultrasonic is that it is truly passive and non-invasive. It's perfectly suited to components that require cleaning; but are easily damaged in the process via other methods.

In regard to discoloration of the metal during the cleaning process - this is pretty straight forward - Most all carburetors are manufactured from a zinc alloy (98% zinc) or an aluminum alloy. Both of these materials are highly reactive and the cleaning products that are being used in the sonics are the probable cause for discoloration (the house hold type cleaners)

The best results I have had - in terms of returning the carburetor to a 'bright' finish has been the combined use of ultra sonic cleaning to begin with and then the use of 'Napa carburetor cleaner' I've used it for motorbike carburetors. You submerge the carburetor for about an hour - maybe two then pull it out and rinse it off - this has (for me) resulted in a bright 'as new' style of finish ... I buy 1 gallon for motorbike carburetors.

Food for thought ...

[Dpmulvan]

I did some research and I see guys are attaching Palm sanders to the sides of plastic totes filling with water and solution and turning the vibratory sanders on for about an hour or two,the parts are coming out pretty damn clean. I didn't believe the frequency would be correct from a palm sander but it appears to be working??

[Tim K]

Originally Posted by Conda Green 71t

...

In regard to discoloration of the metal during the cleaning process - this is pretty straight forward - Most all carburetors are manufactured from a zinc alloy (98% zinc) or an aluminum alloy. Both of these materials are highly reactive and the cleaning products that are being used in the sonics are the probable cause for discoloration (the house hold type cleaners)

...

What solution are you using for the zinc and aluminum alloys in the ultrasonic cleaning process?

Tim K

[Conda Green 71t]

Originally Posted by Tim K

What solution are you using for the zinc and aluminum alloys in the ultrasonic cleaning process?

Tim K

Tim, I am using a pretty light solution of dish washing detergent. I've found this works very well. Dishwashing detergent is also designed to be used at high temps. It is simple, inexpensive and readily available. It needs changing out pretty frequently.

From what I understand Dishwashing liquid is a pretty simple form of detergent and has few harsh additives that may contribute to discoloration of some metal alloys.

Sodium (salt) is the active agent in most all cleaning detergents - The 'salt' component probably being the direct cause of discoloration. The name is in fact: Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (pronounce that after if you can)

It doesn't surprise me at all that cleaning detergents comprised of salt discolor either zinc alloys or alluminum alloys ...

Again - I'm no scientist so I may stand corrected ... Take my advice with a pinch of salt!

[Tim K]

Thank you for that! I'm going to try the detergent.

Tim K

[E Sully]

I like Simple Green Motorsport. Safe on most surfaces.
Also looks like a good product, but I haven't tried it, is Simple Green - Extreme Aircraft & Precision Cleaner @ $75 for a case of 4-1 gallon containers at Home depot.

[miniman24]

Never tried ultrasonic but I can tell you that vapour blasting does wonders on ally parts - Ive attached a few pics of some bits I did recently, admittedly not Porsche, they are from my '72 Mini Clubman but you get an idea of the achievable finish.

IMG_20150224_181730762 by victorkristiansen, on Flickr

IMG_20150224_181828260 by victorkristiansen, on Flickr

Clean enough to put on the bed!