Cleaning Gun Parts with an Ultrasonic Cleaner on a Budget

I haven't done an update on the ultrasonic cleaner in a while and I've learned a fair bit since the last video. So, here's an update. One of the things I've learned is that you can spend a crap ton of cash on the machine and I didn't, hence the title.

[@wrencHHead85]

Just a FYI: Regular Simple Green is high in alkaline and can speed up the corrosion process on metals, but Simple Green HD is safe for metal surfaces. Simple Green HD is purple in color.

[@lifemember3168]

thank you for good advice

[@matthewmshell9099]

I heard the simple green will ruin your receiver and aluminum parts

[@stephenwgreen78]

@@matthewmshell9099 if you leave it exposed too long. I don't know how caustic it is, but I use KOH (potassium hydroxide) in a Sonic cleaner at work & it will turn aluminum black in seconds...always find out really fast if something was aluminum or stainless lol

[@A1techplus]

@@matthewmshell9099 simple green HD is safe for aluminum. simple green is water based you want water based not solvent based. solvent based cleaners can even ruin stainless steel

[@rcwarship]

Thanks for sharing what you've learned on this process, I really appreciate your taking the time to make/edit/post this AWESOME video. Best Regards, Jon

[@ScottSpeedPro]

Super informative video, thanks for taking the time to put this together!

[@jon77y]

I just got a ultrasonic cleaner and not yet use it, and this video really helped, thanks for sharing your thoughts..

[@fishrecon8902]

Very well done video. Just wanted to add a few comments that I have found useful since I have cleaning gun parts for years this way, following pretty much the same process. 1) Always use distilled water. Tap water contains many minerals and salts depending where you live. Its cheap and an important variance to remove from the process to prevent any chemical reactions short and long term. 2) Don't use Simple Green "Green", use Simple Green "HD" which is purple. Cheap also. 3) Get the water off the parts as soon as they come out of the tank and are still hot. Immediately get them coated with what every oil product you use to prevent oxidation and when the parts are still hot, it will help the oil protection product penetrate into the surface on the micro level. Hope this helps - also, just my two-cents-worth. PS - you really did well and your honesty when you did not know for sure is worth a lot. Wish other videos were as well done and honest. Oh, your little humor is also fun!! Later. Semper Fi

[@Charlie-cc5wl]

You seem to know your stuff. I will be making the transition to ultrasonic cleaning soon. Would you recommend doing a second bath of ultrasonic lube after the parts are dried, or is spay lube/oil just as effective?

[@bigmike3250]

Great video, thanks for sharing. Remember to thoroughly lube after cleaning with a degreaser or solution which completely strips the oil. Since the ultrasonic creeps into spaces of only thousandths of an inch it can leave internals dry and unprotected. I have used Ballistol and distilled water (20% to 80% water) in an ultrasonic for years with great results. No adverse experience with blued or stainless steel. When mixed and degassed, the solution looks milky and is no thicker than water, so penetration into small recesses is no problem. I use a small, portable tire inflation compressor for lower pressure when drying the guns so as not to force unseen debris into seams between surfaces. I clip the end off of a basketball inflation needle for use as a nozzle.

[@iseeyou8781]

I know this is an old post but if you see it, quick question. I am buying an ultrasonic cleaner and am considering an Infante that has a lube cycle in a separate tub to relube all the little spots. I know I will still have to oil the usual suspects, but how do you feel about the cleaners that can lube also?

[@bchase1980]

I believe that I am one of your first subscribers. At least within the first 100 I don't really remember. anyways just wanted to say that i really enjoyed watching your videos. I been shooting for most of my life but just recently in the last few years have really taken a real interest in it so I have essentially been learning along with you

[@N98858]

Good review Wes...Thanks ';-)

[@brandonomelian5185]

To me G96 smells like pumpkin spices. It's good stuff I stepped up from Rem Oil to it and it's much better. Now I use CorrosionX and while it doesn't clean very well by comparison, it does lubricate and protect like no other. But I use an aerosol degreaser for the time being until I can afford an ultrasonic cleaner. Great video!

[@saltyshellback]

Good stuff! Just got a Harbor Freight UT cleaner....gonna do some cleaning :-)

[@stephenwgreen78]

Great video, thanks for the info 😁

[@treywilkins7624]

So I just bought my first ultrasonic cleaner from Amazon the 6l one. I have been playing around with different mixture on jewelery and a throw away gun I lost a part too. And I added some spot free car wash to the water so when it comes out the water runs off. You can try it, but it seems to be working so far

[@LemensProducts]

Your horses must be very pissed off because of the noisy neighbor lol

[@bcdoll01]

Have you ever tried chem-Crest cleaner? That's what walther arms service uses. I was going to try it depending on price. Great video

[@Charlie-cc5wl]

I would have though the steal wire mesh basket would Etch the parts? I have heard people using plastic basics or wood to prop up the parts.

[@Nerdgonesouth]

It's designed for cleaning metal parts. I've got hundreds of cleanings through it without an issue.

[@Charlie-cc5wl]

Thank you for the reply

[@jconradh]

Thanks! Do you drop your frames in there as well? If so, what about metal frames vs polymer? Any issues with revolvers? Sorry for all the questions, but I have an ultrasonic cleaner but haven't tried it yet.

[@Junior-zf5ed]

I saw a video guy dropped his frame and slide in from his glock with no problems. however i dont know if his was heated or not.

[@Nerdgonesouth]

+Junior 83 Yup, I run frames and revolvers through it. The only gun I've had trouble with was my Sig 1911-22. It's slide finish was paint and the cleaner removed it.

[@jconradh]

Nerd Gone South So what's your thought on any of the other Sigs, such as as P226, M11-A1, or the P227?

[@Nerdgonesouth]

+jconradh The 1911 22 is made by GSG and the finish was cheap paint. I don't think any other Sig product would have an issue. Polymer and metal frames all do fine. Cerakot duracote all have been fine.

[@jconradh]

Nerd Gone South Thanks!

[@1989oluo]

Thanks for your video. I'd would of liked to have seen the process done even if you had to speed it up a bit. Never seen this system work so a few moments explaining as you do it would have been great. thanks and good luck

[@Nerdgonesouth]

I have several videos on the ultrasonic cleaner. Here's a playlist with several. I show the process in more depth in at least one of these. kzbin.info/aero/PL53IdCkMBwwMcOIZSDaROhXWwx8JtUwAx

[@arthursmith643]

Nerd Gone South I use Simple Green HD PRO with HOT water in an old Foot MAS5AGER. HAHA.5 parts hot water 1 part SG. Leave the parts in for 5/10 minutes. Take them out scrub them up and rinse with hot water.Dry the parts with cloth and hair dryer. Lube it up. Works great.

[@murph55]

for drying the gun for someone without a compresser i wonder if wd40 would work, afterall the wd stands for water displacement

[@rparker2824]

Do use WD40 on guns. Read up on it. Its not just my opinion.

[@matarazzo209]

According to the MSDS ballistol is pretty much mineral oil, just the same thing u get in the pharmacy when you’re constipated ;) just with a dirty sock scent

[@lifemember3168]

I hear Mineral Oil found in your local pharmacy will do a great job lubricating your guns at fraction of the cost of all the other lubricants being marketed out there.

[@Nerdgonesouth]

Here's one of the best articles on lubrications I've read recently. Seems to support your mineral oil conclusion. www.majorpandemic.com/2015/12/LubeGate-2015-Common-Sense-Gun-Lubrication.html

[@mattpatton8887]

At work we just use D-Lead soap.

[@Junior-zf5ed]

I thought i read that simple green was not a good idea on guns. I will research that, but im sure it was a big thing here in last couple years.

[@jamesbreen7394]

It's not. It's corrosive to aluminum and certain other metals.

[@Nerdgonesouth]

+Junior 83 If you find an actual source that shows experimentation I'd love to see it. In the mean time I can say that there isn't anything in the ingredients of Simple Green that gives me pause and in the span of time I've used it there has been no adverse effects. The companies FAQ may also be instructive to answer these questions. simplegreen.com/faqs/

[@gerryshanholt8718]

I am always looking for easier, efficient ways to clean my hand guns. For more years than I will disclose I used petroleum based products and was most satisfied until several years ago I was introduced to FrogLube. This plant CLP system works extremely well and smells great. I enjoyed your video on ultrasonic cleaner, but I must conclude that FrogLube seems easier, quicker and likely cheaper. Have you ever tried it? BTW, FrogLube is fantastic on all metal guns such as CZ 75s and 1911s.

[@Nerdgonesouth]

+Gerry Shanholt Yup, if you poke around the channel I've done videos on multiple CLP's including froglube. They all seem to work. Personally I've found that froglube gums up guns that I don't shoot regularly and in tight tolerance guns like my Kimber 1911 it causes malfunctions when left sitting. I don't use the ultrasonic because it's cheaper than using a clp (it's not) but use it because it saves me time digging into the nooks and crannies.

[@gerryshanholt8718]

You are correct in that FrogLube can cause malfunctions in a 1911 if used too liberally. I apply it with a syringe to preclude this. My 1911s like FrogLube and I like the hand cream quality and odor.

[@Nerdgonesouth]

+Gerry Shanholt I've taken to G96 really well. I'm not an "attention to detail" guy, so it gives me some room to be sloppy. Smells like pumpkin pie spices.

[@skiball83]

G96 smells like cinnamon.

[@I_Follow_Jesus]

G96 smells like egg nog to me.