Author Topic: Ultrasonic magic?  (Read 1373 times)

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Offline Sellsme

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Ultrasonic magic?
« on: August 04, 2015, 08:31:48 AM »
I just bought a ultrasonic cleaner to do my carbs. The chemical that Harbor Freight sells says not to put aluminum in it. Is there a magic chemical or cleaner I should use?
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Offline edwardmorris

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Re: Ultrasonic magic?
« Reply #1 on: August 04, 2015, 08:45:31 AM »
50-50 water and Simple Green HD Pro worked out excellent for me.

Offline Muckinfuss

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Re: Ultrasonic magic?
« Reply #2 on: August 04, 2015, 08:45:47 AM »
you'll get quite a few 'choices' offered here.  fact: AL is highly reactive by oxidizing to a wide range of chemicals and will quickly turn gray/black or cloudy white.  acid based solutions will pit and attack metal unevenly.   even tests by the US Airforce of Simple Green came back with a not-recommended status.  Google: "ultrasonic solution for aluminum" and read the stories of failed attempts.  If there's a metal processor near you that does anodizing, they may sell you some of their base solution since they usually ultrasonically clean all AL parts prior to the anodizing process.

test your magic mix by putting a piece of aluminum foil in the tank and run a cycle to see what you get.

tread lightly.
« Last Edit: August 04, 2015, 08:54:05 AM by Muckinfuss »
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Offline edwardmorris

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Re: Ultrasonic magic?
« Reply #3 on: August 04, 2015, 08:55:14 AM »
The mix I mentioned above was pretty mild, and at least from what I read, the 750 carbs aren't pure aluminum, its some kinda alloy that has a iridescent finish when new from the factory. I was able to restore that finish perfectly with just a few cycles and all passages cleaned out very well too. These are running on my K2 right now


Offline flybox1

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Re: Ultrasonic magic?
« Reply #4 on: August 04, 2015, 08:57:05 AM »
50/50 Simple green/water, as mentioned.
(NOT PineSol - too acidic)
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Offline Muckinfuss

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Re: Ultrasonic magic?
« Reply #5 on: August 04, 2015, 09:13:31 AM »
the iridescent finish on your carbs is a factory coating called chromate conversion.  it is used to isolate the aluminum from oxidizing.  it's not a plating, but a wash that is applied in a tank.  in your case it worked. 

1984 Sportster 1000cc XL
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Offline SOHC Digger

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Re: Ultrasonic magic?
« Reply #6 on: August 04, 2015, 09:59:32 AM »
I've been using 25% Simple Green Industrial (the purple stuff), 75% water for years. It works great. Just don't leave your aluminum parts in any longer than it takes to clean them. Definitely do not leave them in overnight.

Offline Muckinfuss

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Re: Ultrasonic magic?
« Reply #7 on: August 04, 2015, 01:31:55 PM »
here are some tips from experience:  different parts/metals react to the process and solutions differently......it's sometimes easier/better to put parts into plastic zip bags with the appropriate solution in the bag.  Hot water in the ultrasonic, bag into the water and let it run.  saves on solution and tank cleaning.  I use glass jars for some things; like paint gun cleaning....i can put spray gun cleaner or lacquer thinner in the jar and set that into the water bath in the tank.....this allows me to use solvents and wetting agents more efficiently.  I have a jar or two of Hoppes gun cleaning solvent that get reused over and over until completely contaminated.  the glass and plastic bags are invisible to the action of the hydra operation.  it's the micro bubbles that lift and peal the crud...solvents only prepare the crud to be acted on.  heat is necessary to good sonic cleaning.
1984 Sportster 1000cc XL
1988 Heritage Softail
1974 CB550
1989 Corvette

Offline Sellsme

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Re: Ultrasonic magic?
« Reply #8 on: August 04, 2015, 02:12:49 PM »
Thank you all, its been very helpful
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Offline RAFster122s

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Re: Ultrasonic magic?
« Reply #9 on: August 04, 2015, 03:35:34 PM »
Purple Simple Green is available from Home Depot and I haven't found it elsewhere.  It is a good solution to use if you don't go over 50% and run it hot. Definitely do NOT leave it in solution when you are not cleaning and rinse through ly with water afterwards.  If you have hard water use distilled water. Don't want to put deposit in but take them out...
Harbor Freight cleaner has small transducers so put a sheet of aluminum foil in and you will see it tear the foil in certain areas.  That's where the ultrasonic power is concentrated. So, one carb at a time rotating it in those areas for best cleaning.  Don't be surprised to see the solution get very dirty the first to third 15 minute cycles.  Change fluid after it is dirty and resume.

David
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Offline chewbacca5000

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Re: Ultrasonic magic?
« Reply #10 on: August 04, 2015, 03:50:27 PM »
I like simple green aircraft formula it does a great job, but will make carb bodies white if left in too long.

I like the idea plastic bag for nasty stuff and putting harder cleaning agents in.  Piolet jets are the worst, but after a week or two soak in simple green air craft it did the trick.

having clean pilot jets are essential.  I bought a bunch from 4into1.com and they were the correct length had K stamped in them.