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Ultrasonic brass cleaning

kritos666

kritos666

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 16, 2012
112
0
57
OR
#1
I have been thinking about getting an ultrasonic for a while. I purchased this at a buddy's recommendation:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018IIPFK/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00

I have tried using dish soap/tap water and now simple green/tap water. I have run it for (5) 8 min cycles. Neither of those seem to clean out the primer pockets. That was the main motivation for getting the thing.

Does anyone have any ideas? What am I doing wrong? If required, I can post pics later when I get home.

Thanks
 
#4
Re: Ultrasonic brass cleaning

COOL thanks! .. those guys are a bit picky .. but are a great resource. I sometimes forget, as I have decided that they are too picky for me.

Sounds like a great article, I will do my own testing and report the results.
 
#6
Re: Ultrasonic brass cleaning

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: High Binder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Switch to stainless steel media in a drum tumbler. I tried ultrasonic cleaning for years and you'll just never get the pockets clean without some mechanical help. </div></div>

I'll post some pics of my primer pockets after cleaning with Citranox...I think you'll be surprised
 
#7
Re: Ultrasonic brass cleaning

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pwizl</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: High Binder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Switch to stainless steel media in a drum tumbler. I tried ultrasonic cleaning for years and you'll just never get the pockets clean without some mechanical help. </div></div>

I'll post some pics of my primer pockets after cleaning with Citranox...I think you'll be surprised
</div></div>

Thanks! I tried vinegar and Dawn as well as some other crap and nothing even came close to getting the carbon out until I switched to stainless.
 
#8
Re: Ultrasonic brass cleaning

I may switch to stainless somewhere down the road because the results are awesome. Maybe after my ultrasound dies, but for right now I'm happy with the results
 
#9
Re: Ultrasonic brass cleaning

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: High Binder</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold">Switch to stainless steel media in a drum tumbler</span>. I tried ultrasonic cleaning for years and you'll just never get the pockets clean without some mechanical help. </div></div>

^^^^I agree with this.^^^^^^

Even though I've had good success with ultrasonic cleaning, I plan to switch to stainless steel media as soon as possible.
 
#10
Re: Ultrasonic brass cleaning

I've done both and both have their place.

For both I add some Lemishine to the water. For your cleaner about a .40 or .45 case worth maybe a little more. Honestly anymore I add it to the cleaner like I'm salting a plate.
 
#11
Re: Ultrasonic brass cleaning

make sure there is no bubbles in the primer pockets, that will prevent a good cleaning, add some distilled vinegar and any sort simple green or the lyman UC cleaner, I have no problem cleaning the primer pockets, wait till the tank is nice and warm too.
 
#12
Re: Ultrasonic brass cleaning

I use the lyman and run a cold water and vinegar mix for 480sec then a heated cycle with water, vinegar, and a dab of dish soap and have no problems getting pockets clean on lapua brass. Are you by chance over filling or putting too many cases in at once?
 
#13
Re: Ultrasonic brass cleaning

I use a mix of 1 gallon of HOT water, a few drops of dish soap, and 2 tablespoons of LemiShine. 2 8 minute cycles and my primer pockets look clean as new as well as the inside of the cases. I don't use the heater on mine because my hot water heater gets the water a LOT hotter than it does and does it a lot faster.

And yes, I make a new batch of cleaning solution each time. If I can't afford a jug of Lemishine every few months I need a new hobby anyways
laugh.gif
 
#17
Re: Ultrasonic brass cleaning

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jeff1383</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Are you by chance over filling or putting too many cases in at once? </div></div>

I've tried it with ten all the way up to a few hundred with not much difference. I have a big industrial unit though and it works a little differently than the ones from Hornady so that might account for some of the differences.
 
#18
Re: Ultrasonic brass cleaning

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rusty815</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I love that when someone asks about ultra sonic cleaning, the entire stainless steel brigade comes in
grin.gif

</div></div>

You should try stainless!
 
#22
Re: Ultrasonic brass cleaning

Thanks for the tips and suggestions.

My results were OK, certainly a LOT better then traditional tumbling with corn cob media. I need to put in less ( not 100 at a time). I didn't use hot water, so I take it I will get better results if I do. I was using the vinegar and water solution /w a baking soda chaser. (per the 6mmbr post) I would post a pix of my result, but for the life of me I can't see where I can attach one.
 
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