Any updates on an economical ultrasonic cleaning fluid?

phil37

phil37

Hero member
Location
Lincolnshire
Hi - I know this has been up a few times before - but times have moved on and a lot more of us have got U/S cleaning machines. I don't want to fork out silly money on fancy fluids and wondered in my best cheapskate fashion if anyone has  made up or sourced an effective yet cheap fluid? - I'm most interested in carb cleaning stuff. - Thanks - Phil
 
Just doing some cleaning now. I use this stuff.

http://mistralie.co.uk/collections/ultrasonic-cleaners

For carbs. Allright its ?15 a gallon but you dilute it 5:1 or maybe a bit more so you are getting 5 or 6  gals really.
Their oxidised metal stuff there is excellent and will remove rust but will turn carbs grey so stick to their carb cleaner.

I have tried all sorts of household cleaners and non work like this stuff..
 
Hi phil, Try industrial truck cleaner, Persil has oxidising propertise for those stains on the outside of the cards. I allways use hot water.
All the best andy
 
I use the Mistral carb cleaner.
20 litre container, dilute 1:10 with water.
Good stuff.
 
laverdas said:
Hi phil, Try industrial truck cleaner, Persil has oxidising propertise for those stains on the outside of the cards. I allways use hot water.
All the best andy
Click to expand...

I've still got about half of a 25l drum of truck cleaner that I bought years ago but I'd be very reluctant to put it in an ultrasonic cleaner if I was going to clean carbs out in it. That stuff is evil even when diluted if you don't wash it off thoroughly after use but it's good at cleaning chain lube off back wheels when you haven't bothered for the last 5 years  8)
 
phil37 said:
Thanks for info everyone - I see Mistral have a handy 10% off when they re-open in the new year - regards - Phil
Click to expand...

Surprised you haven't been nicknamed "Canary". cheep cheep.  :LOL:
 
Speaking of cheap - now that  the machines and fluids are becoming less expensive - I'd like to get a larger machine to do heads etc - Has anyone here been using ultrasonic successfully to do all the castings and even pistons etc? - seems like a good way to get things spotless without any media intrusion problems. - regards - Phil
 
Really depends what you are expecting from a cleaner Phil They do clean but they don't finish so they will not replace vapour or sand /bead blasting. What i am saying is if alloy is in anyway corroded and it always is then it will just come out the cleaner clean and corroded. The advantage of a cleaner IMHO is it gets to areas you cant get to otherwise like drilling's in carbs. I have tried pistons in the cleaner and its not really practical. If you need to remove coke the fluid needed to do that will etch the alloy. There may be specialist fluids that will do a particular job but whether its economical i don't know.
ultrasonic cleaners seem to work best on chrome, stainless or steal where you can use a more aggressive cleaning solution, the anti oxide stuff will strip rust and corrosion and Stainless screws come out like new.
Next time i do some parts i will do some before and after pictures with the types of cleaning fluid.
My tank is only 6 ltr, big enough for carbs and pistons footrests and levers etc but not barrels. another handy tip i have found is...the more you put in the less good a job it does so if i put one carb in its way better than if i put two in for example.
 
Hi phil, You will not get chemicals that desolve coke apart from aggressive acids, if you know anybody that has such chemistry then I suggest you get in with them as in the oil industry that is the holy grail. But the latest method to clean coke plants like the one at the humber refinery is ultrsonic and air blowing ( N2 ).

Good luck and best wish's andy & benny
 
Thanks for replies - I used to have a drum of evil stuff that had an oily substance on top to keep the fumes down - could only leave aluminium in it for 10minutes - left a carb in once with the nylon sleeve in it - that went! - I always got a vile headache when using it so got rid of it a while back - did work well though. Think I'll stick to just carbs with the ultrasonic ATM - Regards - Phil
 
  Just got my Mistral carb cleaning fluid (missed the 10% off - grrr)  My little dentists cleaner has no heater - will this work cold ?- I can mix it with v hot water - but does it really make a difference? - Any ideas how long I should leave a carb in the cleaner?? - Regards - Phil
 
Heat makes a difference (speed/quality).
Minimum a few hours, longest I did was 12 but longer probably not harmful.
 
I have had a small unheated ultrasonic since 1999. I got it, very well used, from an orthodontist buddy. I typically fill it with boiling water from a kettle, and add a bit of dishwashing liquid, usually something like Dawn that is really good at cutting grease, etc. It will just fit one carb body at a time, and has worked really well.

It is now on its last legs (I have repaired it twice now) and I have been day dreaming about acquiring a large powerful unit with a heater. Something like this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/30L-30-L-ULTRASONIC-CLEANER-WITH-LED-DISPLAY-SKIDPR0OF-FEET-10-SETS-TRANSDUCERS-/111527540661?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19f78f37b5

that particular one is more money than I would prefer to spend, especially in USD and with shipping costs. Can anyone suggest a decent quality large unit? There are all kinds of parts that can benefit from a dip in an ultrasonic, after an initial dip in the de greasing solvent tank.

Paul LeClair
 
Paul,
That unit looks pretty good. It looks like a typical Chinese unit and is similar in appearance to the one I use. If it has 10 transducers it should be excellent. Pity about the postage.
Ian
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top