Help with ultrasonic cleaner and which guns/parts are safe to use it on

[VDW]

I really hate cleaning guns, so I finally bought a Lyman Turbo Sonic 2500 http://www.cabelas.com/product/Lyman-reg-Turbo-Sonic-TS-Sonic-Cleaner/1168206.uts?productVariantId=2891636. I also got both the Lyman and Hornady parts cleaner solutionshttp://www.cabelas.com/product/Lyman-Turbo-Sonic-Steel-and-Gun-Parts-Cleaning-Solution-oz/1313958.uts?productVariantId=3084379 http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hornady-reg-One-Shot-trade-Clean-Gun-Parts-Sonic-Solution/1555092.uts?productVariantId=3375414. I have tried reading up on past posts, and it appears I should not use either the Lyman or Simple Green on anything aluminum. Does anyone have any experience with the Hornady solution on aluminum? It claims it is safe for all finishes.

I also have a few firearm specific questions:

1. I would like to basically drop my entire field stripped Glock in the tank. Is there a problem with the polymer frame and/or the upper (specifically the firing pin, etc. which I am not qualified to remove)? Does the gunk pile up inside the upper? I don't have a parts washer. Also, are there any aluminum parts in a factory Glock?

2. I would like to drop my ruger 22/45 Lite in the tank. I belive just about the whole thing is anodized aluminum. Can I clean it in distilled water and something like liquid Tide? Actually, I don't have Tide, can I use All Free and Clear?

Also, is there a cheaper/better alternative to the post cleaning immersion in the moisture displacing lube from Lyman http://www.cabelas.com/product/Lyman-Gallon-Turbo-Sonic-reg-Gun-Lube/1573212.uts?productVariantId=3379964?

Thanks for any help!

[sako55]

don't know about the sonic cleaner stuff but you do not need to be all that qualified to remove the firing pin from a glock. About the easiest gun to strip down.. Hundreds of videos on YouTube. I would not drop the gun in unless it was fully disassembled. This allows for drying everything completely

A little bit of Dawn dish soap or equivalent would be just fine.

Same with the 22/45. I would not put either in unless they are broken down as far as possible. The only reason would be to make sure that they dry properly. Water causes corrosion regardless. Soap in itself can gum up. Just make sure to lube things up afterword.

I would not recommended clothes detergent or dish washing detergent as they re very high in phosphates. A bit corrosive if left sitting on the gun. S=Dawn or its equal would be best but needs to be rinsed thoroughly and dried.

I am sure others will chime in that use the sonic cleaners. Hope that helps.

[Bailey Guns]

https://www.ar-15.co/threads/117187-Hornady-Lock-N-Load-Ultrasonic-Gun-Parts-Cleaner?highlight=hornady

[Great-Kazoo]

If one doesn't get the solution to water ratio right, doesn't matter what you use. That 20:1 is for a gallon. PAY ATTENTION or you'll pull the finish off what ever gets dropped in it. If not worse.

I use the hornady, when it runs out this will take it's place
http://www.amazon.com/Oil-Eater-AOD1G35437-Cleaner-Degreaser/dp/B000EALHHG/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1463805619&sr=1-2&keywords=parts+cleaner

[VDW]

Thanks for the info!

Bailey, I read your post, but couldn't tell if you had completely stripped the upper or not? Any problems there?

[Bailey Guns]

Yeah, on the Glock I detail stripped the upper and mostly disassembled the lower. No problems with the Hornady solution on any finish that I've encountered.

[Ridge]

Took most of the finish off my AK bolt with a sonic cleaner...

[Great-Kazoo]

Took most of the finish off my AK bolt with a sonic cleaner...

Incorrect solution mixture.

[MarkCO]

The Lucas Oil Bore Cleaner and Ultrasonic cleaner is solvent based, so it does not need a dip or rinse. The stuff is amazing.


https://youtu.be/eJLs6OAfIA4

[Zundfolge]

Be VERY careful with any nickel plated guns. Copper removal solvent will find its way into a crack in the finish and destroy it (since a thin layer of copper is used to get the nickel to stick to the steel).

I'm assuming that the fluid used in ultrasonic cleaners will attack copper.

[ThunderSquirrel]

Step 1, buy the harbor freight sonic cleaner. It's the Hornady cleaner painted grey, and less money....

[VDW]

Thanks for the info. The Lucas Oil looks interesting...it eliminates having to run a second time in a separate bath to eliminate moisture. I might get to take those ridiculously expensive fluids back to Cabela's [rockon]

[VDW]

Step 1, buy the harbor freight sonic cleaner. It's the Hornady cleaner painted grey, and less money....

I saw those posts, and contemplated it, but I'm really bad at prompt returns and Cabela's has a longer return policy if the whole ultrasonic thing doesn't turn out to be everything I was hoping it would be.

[Great-Kazoo]

Thanks for the info. The Lucas Oil looks interesting...it eliminates having to run a second time in a separate bath to eliminate moisture. I might get to take those ridiculously expensive fluids back to Cabela's [rockon]


You should have an air supply on hand and what i dois spray item with rubbing alcohol, to disperse any unseen moisture. I also do a final (by hand) wipe down. An ultrasonic while helpful, is not a solution to doing a good jib cleaning your gun. After shooting suppressed, i still find it necessary to do a once over before reassembling. Then again i'm kind of OCD when it comes to cleaning guns. When i actually clean them.

[MarkCO]

Jim, stop by with a suppressor sometime and we will plunk it in the US with the Lucas and by the time we are done telling tall tales, it will be clean and ready to roll with just a shake. :)

BTW VDW, I am still on my original bottle and have lost less than 3 ounces over the course of running it for about 60 hours over 6 months.

[VDW]

Mark, is there a local source for the Lucas? Cabela's, Bass Pro, and Sportsman's don't have it listed in their online search.

[MarkCO]

Mark, is there a local source for the Lucas?

Working on it. I have been trying to get it into Machine Gun Tours. I probably need to take some samples by a few other retailers.

[VDW]

Damn...I found it on Brownell's for $50 + ship for $64 oz. That seems to be the only one I can find. There seems to be only one seller on both Ebay and Amazon, which both charge more /oz. Do you have a cheaper/better source?

[MarkCO]

Send me a PM and I will get you taken care of. :)