Testing Out A 2L Ultrasonic Cleaner On Vintage Tamiya RC Car Parts. Was It Any Good?

In this video, I try out a low-cost 2L GT Sonic Ultrasonic cleaner Model: VGT-1620QTD and find out if it’s worth getting one to clean your RC car parts.
Rebecca and I have two restoration projects on the go currently (Tamiya Falcon & Tamiya Madcap) and we decided to take the plunge and get a cleaner to try and cut down on all the time and effort required to clean all the used parts by hand. With zero experience we didn’t know what to expect so we picked up one from eBay to try in the studio.
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[@billobrien3676]

Mix in Simple Green with the water

[@silverssonyoutube8438]

Thanks for the size comparisons. I just bought a 10litre .

[@RCKickschannel]

Yep the 10 will make life a bit easier

[@AntsPlants]

Good review. I have a 3 l cleaner and live it. Have to remember when u get a larger cleaner you have to use more liquid cleaner. If using soapy water not a big problem but if you are using degreaser like I do it cost a lot to replace. I keep reusing my cleaner and clean all the dirt out of the bottom but a bigger one is a a pain, unless you need to clean big parts!! Small parts I love it especially bearings

[@geoffg46]

Was thinking of getting one of these as I like my mechanical clocks but my preferred method for rc cars is a 1 inch paintbrush, water detergent and an occasional bit of brake cleaner and a 25L compressor with a blow off gun, cleans everything from a 1/16 to an FG Marder but be careful around bearings and electronics as you can blow water into them and dont blow off brake cleaner cos of the vapours(I also use it to inflate car tyres) cost me £80 20 years ago and still gets a lot of use

[@JPN7669]

Great video, it was nice to explore this method of cleaning and how it works. I would love to see a video of your usual method of cleaning and perhaps share with us your cleaning routine after a run. Cheers!

[@thelkline7079]

Bought exactly the same model. In my experience there is no advantage with this machine over leaving parts in a bowl of warm water with dish soap. Also, with that particular ultrasonic cleaner, the temperature continues to climb regardless of your settings, which is not only dangerous but can also expand and weaken the plastic mouldings such as screw threads etc resulting in splits and loose fitting gear box components (baring housings etc). The other issue I've also encountered is that it can milk black & red plastics, causing them to lose colour and become patchy. A bowl of warm water, dish soap and a soft cleaning brush is still the best approach. The Ultrasonic cleaners take much longer and often ineffective in removing grease and grit deposits in the nooks and crannies of chassis and many other smaller parts. Perhaps the more expensive Ultrasonic Cleaners work better but these cheaper ones are a waste of money.

[@owenbuttle3304]

Great information thank you 👍🏻✨

[@RCKickschannel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@RCRetro]

I use the smaller jewelry cleaner that you pictured and it works fine for me. As i take the car apart in sections i throw bits and pieces into the ultrasonic cleaner while i take the rest of the car apart. Kinda speeds up the process as I take the car apart and clean at the same time. I also put some Palmolive in there. I definitely dont leave them in there for 15-20 minutes. 5 minutes is more than enough and and then a rinse off. Sometimes a light tooth brush scrub but nothing too crazy. As for greasy parts, I use some grease lightning first to wipe them down and then throw them into the ultra sonic cleaner which seems to do the trick. As long as your happy and it works for you and makes life easier I view it as a good investment. Later buddy....

[@johnnysacco100]

I have a very similar one , it looks like that model has been re branded more then once. I did find it to be a little loud but it worked well . I actually added a small amount of jewelry cleaner when cleaning the metal parts it makes a noticeable difference , for the plastic and nylon parts a little Oxy clean mixed into the warm water really helps .

[@SavyBajaBuster]

I've had mixed results with the ultrasonic... been using one for 25+ years and they are a great tool to have in your arsenal but they can discolour/cloud some plastics and aluminium. I also had an issue where i sprayed down a nitro engine with a degreaser,dismantled and put in the cleaner with some washing up liquid and the silicone rubber gator on the carb and some of the o rings expanded to double the size🤣 .. I know certain oils or chemicals can expand rubbers but the cleaner accelerated the process so just be aware🤣👍

[@MrCaprinut]

Most ultrasonic cleaners will tell you how big the basket is and the basket volume. I would not buy one that can't hold a chassis, but the chassis does not need to lay flat as long as it's covered. And it also works a lot better with fewer parts in them as I've been told. One thing these works wonders on is on the yellow cva shocks. They never seem to be totally clean with elbove grease, but I have seen great results using ultrasonic cleaner. My next expensive ish tool on my list to buy is deffo an ultrasonic cleaner.

[@OliversAviationvideo]

I also always use a cleaning fluid in the water and it makes a big difference.

[@stevintyska2449]

I went with the 22l, you can get them right around 200.00, I can submerge an entire car in it

[@stevintyska2449]

fyi I spoke with a buddy from the groups, he had a 15L and said a complete chassis just wont fit so that's why I went with the 22l and it is not an giant as you would think, about the size of a medium size microwave. It works well but the sound is unreal irritating. I had to bring it out back and run it outside

[@jecoboost1440]

Simple Green and WD-40 works pretty well.

[@stevencurtis-rich4178]

As others have said, you need to add a cleaner/degrease, if your near a Screwfix, they sell a 5L degrease, has worked ace on motorcycle parts.

[@Houleigan]

I just put my parts in a container big enough, then fill with solution (simple green and water) and put it on my work bench. Then I fire up my bench grinder. It vibrates the container and acts like a "ultrasonic" cleaner.

[@SHAYEN-cd5qw]

I have a friend here in Australia who has a 8lt one but when he told me the price ($2600) I nearly flipped my chair I was sitting on LOL. He said it works well though.

[@alanpassmore2275]

We use to have one at work. Don't be tempted to put your own body parts in it 🤭🤭

[@ruftime]

You need to degas your cleaning solution for best results, until then the cleaning solution is absorbing the ultrasonic vibrations😎. Like rc cars, ultrasonic cleaners are a balance of basket size to the transducer size. If they aren’t sized up accordingly, cleaning suffers. And yes, keep your body parts out!

[@steveclough6794]

bought an ultrasonic in a charity shop last year not this brand but to be honest there crap good job I only paid a £5.00 for mine

[@silverssonyoutube8438]

The 3litre is longer but not deeper . So it sux aswell . I think the 6 litre or even 10litre haha

[@billobrien3676]

"Sonic" = Noise

[@Mark_5150]

Maybe 2L is the external volume :)

[@OliversAviationvideo]

Ive got a big 10 litre unit and swear by it. Yes its overkill but it was on sale.

[@nobbythunder3419]

Gav ....just use Muc-off bike cleaner this will remove compounded dirt/grime/grease etc. it will not damage any plastics metal ans is solvent free and biodegradable and will make all your future clean ups 10 mins max. Been cleaning my fleet with it for over 11 years plus bikes and cars of course.

[@PaulSmith-rd8yc]

Least your Julho be out cleaned now. Should’ve bought a parts cleaner for workshops

[@RCKickschannel]

What workshop hehehe :)

[@PaulSmith-rd8yc]

RCKicks oh sorry kitchen table then. Clarks do a workbench pot washer you can get them secondhand well worth buying one you can put the whole of the car chassis in it no problem and it’s got a blast unit with a bit of fairy liquid or Mac off be surprised how clean the password or another technique without your Mrs knowing stick it in the dishwasher

[@rcmindset2876]

There are wider plastic crockpot style cleaners to buy

[@billobrien3676]

Does it have an On/Off switch?

[@RCKickschannel]

No, you have to use the wall socket switch but the unit does have an internal fuse.

[@theeviloneohyes]

if it says it holds 2ltrs and only holds 1 then it'd be right back in the post , false advertising ...

[@acereport8939]

Unfortunately some Chinese products are mislabeled in an attempt to get more money for the same product. I ordered a 420a ESC and got a 60a ESC. The seller was willing to resend the package but after some investigation I found out that the only difference between the different versions is the stickers. Kinda like those fake 2TB flash cards on Wish. Occasionally the numbers are completely irrelevant.

[@colinfairbairn8136]

gav china electrics have no legislation and no kite mark on safety please unplug from wall outlet after use.

[@bespincustompropsbombarta8300]

They are sneaky, it is 2 litre but, the 2 litres is the size of the whole unit

[@dill3360]

Nice video i hope to win the giveaway i wish i could afford any type of rc car

[@RCKickschannel]

You have as much chance as any Swag.

[@tahustvedt]

Don't stick your fingers into a running ultrasonic bath. :)

[@MrCaprinut]

One of the members of Tamiyabase forum has made this great article on the subject: tamiyabase.com/articles/55-reviews/158-review-james-ultra-8060d-h-ultrasonic-cleaner

[@jsa2001]

Put a small peice of tinfoil in it, if it destroys it you know its working.

[@badaboom49]

Don't use the basket and don't stick your fingers in while it's running.

[@stevintyska2449]

why do you say not to use the basket? doesn't the parts need to be off the surface? Only asking because I only got mine a few weeks back and it worked great but the manual said to keep parts away from each other and in basket to work better

[@badaboom49]

@@stevintyska2449 that might be where a lot of that noise is coming from. Plus you can fit more in without the basket. I never use it and have never had a problem.

[@thra5herxb12s]

Ultrasonic cleaners only clean things that arent dirty.

[@ruffino28]

not that cheap for lovely f. china stuff... is that thing still working after 2 yrs

[@RCKickschannel]

Yep still going