Author Topic: Ultrasonic Cleaning Fluid - What are You Using? (Read 2056 times)

Dr. Frankenstein · « **on:** February 27, 2024, 04:51:24 AM »

I'm not sure if this is where I should put this thread, but I saved up all my empty soda bottles and was finally able to get a honkin' huge ultrasonic cleaner for the shop - Vevor 30L- but was wondering what everybody is using for a cleaning solution...? My little HF ultrasonic cleaner has worked great for many years, but now that I'm going to be working on inline-fours I wanted something I could just put them in as a unit.

I just got done reading about La's Totally Awesome All-Purpose Concentrate (reportedly cheap, effective and environmentally friendly) and was wondering if anybody was using this in their cleaner? I was using diluted Simple Green in my other one, which worked okay - any recommendations, and Why...? I'm trying to find something that won't change the color/appearance of the carbs...

calj737 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 27, 2024, 05:15:00 AM »

I use SeaFoam often in mine. Or if the parts are rusty, I’ll swap the fluid with some MetalRescue after cleaning them down. A large gallon can of SeaFoam works really well for carbs or calipers because everything in it is some type of magic elixir

Dr. Frankenstein · « **Reply #2 on:** February 27, 2024, 05:27:27 AM »

Isn't that rather flammable...? Do you dilute it, or...?

calj737 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 27, 2024, 05:53:25 AM »

I do not. I'm not placing carbs in there while attached to the motor and the bike running...

I have so many things in my shop that are flammable that dealing with them comes down to common sense, good habits and plenty of practical experience. Simple Green can be very abusive to cast aluminum parts. Many chlorine-based products can as well. If you can find a decent sized container of Berryman's Carb cleaner, that is very good stuff. It can be used in a diluted fashion also. Many just use hot water, or some mild detergent. I like SeaFoam for cleaning my greasy, grimy stuff.

newday777 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 27, 2024, 06:08:55 AM »

Quote from: calj737 on February 27, 2024, 05:53:25 AM

I do not. I'm not placing carbs in there while attached to the motor and the bike running...

I have so many things in my shop that are flammable that dealing with them comes down to common sense, good habits and plenty of practical experience. Simple Green can be very abusive to cast aluminum parts. Many chlorine-based products can as well. If you can find a decent sized container of Berryman's Carb cleaner, that is very good stuff. It can be used in a diluted fashion also. Many just use hot water, or some mild detergent. I like SeaFoam for cleaning my greasy, grimy stuff.

So are you putting Seafoam in your ultrasonic cleaner blend??? Your first reply above sounds that way. You aren't making much sense.
The question at hand is what are we putting in ultrasonic cleaners to clean carbs.(not what are you cleaning the carbs on the bike with) please don't add confusion to the subject.

calj737 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 27, 2024, 08:56:07 AM »

Quote from: newday777 on February 27, 2024, 06:08:55 AM

So are you putting Seafoam in your ultrasonic cleaner blend??? Your first reply above sounds that way. You aren't making much sense.
The question at hand is what are we putting in ultrasonic cleaners to clean carbs.(not what are you cleaning the carbs on the bike with) please don't add confusion to the subject.

Only an idiot would be confused. Stop attempting to inject yourself into dialogue amongst others.

newday777 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 27, 2024, 10:32:14 AM »

Quote from: calj737 on February 27, 2024, 08:56:07 AM

Quote from: newday777 on February 27, 2024, 06:08:55 AM
So are you putting Seafoam in your ultrasonic cleaner blend??? Your first reply above sounds that way. You aren't making much sense.
The question at hand is what are we putting in ultrasonic cleaners to clean carbs.(not what are you cleaning the carbs on the bike with) please don't add confusion to the subject.
Only an idiot would be confused. Stop attempting to inject yourself into dialogue amongst others.

You confused Dr F not me

70CB750 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 27, 2024, 11:51:38 AM »

So far I only used Simple Green. It works OK.

I will, eventually, get fluid made for ultrasonic cleaners.

Kelly E · « **Reply #8 on:** February 27, 2024, 02:24:56 PM »

Here's what we use in the ultrasonic tank.

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #9 on:** February 27, 2024, 02:59:16 PM »

Simple green concentrate. 20:1 with distilled water. Works very well for me. I’ve seen lots of claims that it’s “corrosive” and blackens aluminum. I run my tank fairly warm and leave empty carb bodies in for 30-45 minutes. Never any discolouration or corrosion. Following.

calj737 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 27, 2024, 03:56:56 PM »

Quote from: newday777 on February 27, 2024, 10:32:14 AM

You confused Dr F not me

He wasn’t confused, he was asking for clarification and another question. As I said, butt out.

Dr. Frankenstein · « **Reply #11 on:** February 27, 2024, 04:31:35 PM »

Guys, c'mon - I'm starting to believe the question of 'what are you running in your ultrasonic' is like 'which is the best oil to use...'

Personally I wish they'd bring back V-8's and leaded gasoline...

FWIW, I was previously running a little Simple Green and water in my little HF ultrasonic, maybe a splash of Pine-Sol...I don't think I'm too keen on running flammables (although I have thought about it), but something biodegradable would be cool because eventually you'll have to change it out. I get my water from a well so I'm rather conscious of what I'm dumping out, and how long it will take it to get down to the water table. AND would be most effective in cleaning up carbs!

Ideas...?

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #12 on:** February 27, 2024, 04:39:38 PM »

I used my well water for ages but it always left sediment. Hence the distilled water.

Kelly E · « **Reply #13 on:** February 27, 2024, 04:54:52 PM »

Quote from: Dr. Frankenstein on February 27, 2024, 04:31:35 PM

Guys, c'mon - I'm starting to believe the question of 'what are you running in your ultrasonic' is like 'which is the best oil to use...'

Personally I wish they'd bring back V-8's and leaded gasoline...

FWIW, I was previously running a little Simple Green and water in my little HF ultrasonic, maybe a splash of Pine-Sol...I don't think I'm too keen on running flammables (although I have thought about it), but something biodegradable would be cool because eventually you'll have to change it out. I get my water from a well so I'm rather conscious of what I'm dumping out, and how long it will take it to get down to the water table. AND would be most effective in cleaning up carbs!

Ideas...?

I posted a picture of the ultrasonic tank solution we use. It works great and doesn't harm or stain the carbs. We're still on our first jug and we've done over a dozen sets of carbs.

Dr. Frankenstein · « **Reply #14 on:** February 27, 2024, 05:25:38 PM »

Bennelli, yes, I'm down with the use of distilled water, that's what I was using in combination with the Simple Green; I use my well for drinking water, it feeds the whole house though so I'm conscious of what chemicals I pour out onto the ground. The well is 100 ft deep, in good solid Virginia clay, but still, I'm always afraid of 'creep'.

I didn't mean to get 'this deep' into a conversation about what you're using, just wondering what combination of 'what' everybody may be using and what yields the best results.

30-liter tank, NO idea what I'm going to use as yet.

scottly · « **Reply #15 on:** February 27, 2024, 06:22:32 PM »

I've found that Dawn dish washing soap is far more effective as a grease/oil remover than Simple Green, but I've never used it in an ultrasonic cleaner.

BallAquatics · « **Reply #16 on:** February 28, 2024, 03:35:53 AM »

I use Simple Green Pro HD. works great on aluminum parts. I get mine at Home Depot for around $15 a gallon, a little bit goes a long way too!

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #17 on:** February 28, 2024, 05:25:29 AM »

Quote from: Dr. Frankenstein on February 27, 2024, 05:25:38 PM

Bennelli, yes, I'm down with the use of distilled water, that's what I was using in combination with the Simple Green; I use my well for drinking water, it feeds the whole house though so I'm conscious of what chemicals I pour out onto the ground. The well is 100 ft deep, in good solid Virginia clay, but still, I'm always afraid of 'creep'.

I didn't mean to get 'this deep' into a conversation about what you're using, just wondering what combination of 'what' everybody may be using and what yields the best results.

30-liter tank, NO idea what I'm going to use as yet.

I hear you! The fellow I race with. He owns a service garage in town, connected to municipal water system. All my oils and fluids go in his tanks for proper collection and disposal. I pour “used” tank solution down his laundry sinks……

Don R · « **Reply #18 on:** February 28, 2024, 08:30:47 AM »

Quote from: scottly on February 27, 2024, 06:22:32 PM

I've found that Dawn dish washing soap is far more effective as a grease/oil remover than Simple Green, but I've never used it in an ultrasonic cleaner.

Around here they carry the Green Dawn on the firetrucks to help clean up pavement oil spills.
I had a particularly nasty set of float bowls and tried dishwasher detergent, it worked great.

Ichiban 4 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 29, 2024, 11:15:31 AM »

I've used ultrasonic cleaners for maybe 50+ years..to clean off dental parts [owned/operated Dental Lab during that time BTW].
Found that cleaning-off polishing compound [one of hardest materials to get off..usually]..etc..is best done by using warm to hot water [many smaller ultrasonic units have heaters BTW] and some sort of mild detergent..much as what others on this thread have mentioned.

We used to use stronger chemicals that were flammable and/or gave-off noxious fumes..but stopped doing that years ago..for obvious reasons.
Plain old warm to hot water [probably as effective as anything..I believe] and detergent seem perfectly adequate..if not most effective.

Think it's helpful to remember though that this is basically surface cleaning..and not to be expected to clean-off surface corrosion..rust..
other things that are best done by using media blasting procedures..et al.

Hope this helps to add constructively to the conversation here..

Cheers

Ichi

WhyNot2 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 01, 2024, 04:45:18 AM »

I just fill mine with warm water from the sink, add a little Dawn dish soap for bigger items.

If I'm doing small items that can fit into jars, I miss the solution in there and place them in the cleaner with warm water.

Set the cycle to go, and let 'er rip, tater chip.

CB750R · « **Reply #21 on:** March 03, 2024, 06:55:58 AM »

I use a dilution simple green aviation grade stuff that is supposed to be safe for aluminum, or just dawn and water. Good to know about the metal rescue. I had a car guy friend leave the country he gave me a few pails of the stuff!

Gurp · « **Reply #22 on:** March 03, 2024, 09:35:03 PM »

I was standing in Harbor Freight staring at a small cleaner 2 days ago telling myself wait till Everything is moved into the new shop.. You have no room now.

willbird · « **Reply #23 on:** March 16, 2024, 05:03:44 PM »

Quote from: Gurp on March 03, 2024, 09:35:03 PM

I was standing in Harbor Freight staring at a small cleaner 2 days ago telling myself wait till Everything is moved into the new shop.. You have no room now.

Honestly the small HF cleaner sucks. A Vevor one is easily 4X more powerful and effective IMHO.

the bigger HF ultrasonic is supposed to be better but is never in stock

MRieck · « **Reply #24 on:** March 16, 2024, 05:27:14 PM »

I've been using Extreme Aircraft Simple Green. It isn't corrosive and it's reasonably priced. It is an excellent degreaser and overall cleaning agent especially when heated in the ultrasonic. It is an excellent product.
https://simplegreen.com/industrial/products/extreme-aircraft-precision-cleaner/
About 30.00 a gallon and can be diluted quite a bit. I have gotten it on Amazon and through Walmart on line if I remember correctly.

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Author Topic: Ultrasonic Cleaning Fluid - What are You Using? (Read 2056 times)