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What are people using as the medium for cleaning in ultrasonic cleaners?

I cringe when I see 60.00 for a gallon of cleaner "specially designed" for carburetors.

There has to be a more economical and parts safe option.

Anybody?

TIA
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For carbs, I just use the stuff at autozone in the gallon container. I dont use ultrasound, just leave it there for a few hours, then finish off with Gumout.

*See my video from last night for reference- I cleaned/rebuilt the carb yesterday using that process. The carb sat for years prior to me getting it with the scoot.
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UTC quote
Yep have that gallon of toxic waste.

Looking specifically for US cleaners.
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UTC quote
I use SimpleGreen+water in my ultrasonic cleaner.

If you have a carb dip like dsnyder, you can just stick the carb in that, then stick the whole thing in the ultrasonic cleaner. It'll work right through the can.
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UTC quote
https://simplegreen.com/industrial/products/extreme-aircraft-precision-cleaner/

I've used this on aluminum parts and also use Simple green on other parts I worry about long contact times and corrosion.
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Lucky
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UTC quote
This thread reminds me it's waaay past time to change out the liquid in my cleaner. Parts still come out nice n' clean, but that liquid is super-nasty.
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UTC quote
all'y'all're so fancy with your cleaning tools and young people chemicals
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UTC quote
I also use simple green. Just don't leave aluminum parts soak for long periods of time since they can get etched by the chemicals.
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UTC quote
xantufrog wrote:
all'y'all're so fancy with your cleaning tools and young people chemicals
😂 nope it's what I could get off the shelf at my local store. Ultrasonic is I'm lazy and ultrasonic is easy no scrubbing.
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UTC quote
"all'y'all're so fancy" lol.

You can use regular water and put your nasty parts with cleaning solution in a ziplock bag. Only have to dump the bag, not drain the tank
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Ok, while we are spilling secrets- I use two camelbacks- one for soaking nuts and bolts in Evaporust and after that, I clean them off and put them in the other camelback with oil.

Works pretty good for saving fasteners from the trash.

I *really* should learn how to anodize.
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UTC quote
Christopher_55934 wrote:
😂 nope it's what I could get off the shelf at my local store. Ultrasonic is I'm lazy and ultrasonic is easy no scrubbing.
I feel seen.
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UTC quote
Same.

I have one foot in the "work smarter" camp and the rest of my body in the "I'd rather be napping" camp.
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UTC quote
Krudkutter - 50%, hot water, 50%.

Seems to work good....
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UTC quote
dsnyder586 wrote:
Ok, while we are spilling secrets- I use two camelbacks- one for soaking nuts and bolts in Evaporust and after that, I clean them off and put them in the other camelback with oil.

Camelback, as in - the hikers water holding backpack??
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Grumpnut wrote:
"all'y'all're so fancy" lol.

You can use regular water and put your nasty parts with cleaning solution in a ziplock bag. Only have to dump the bag, not drain the tank
this is a good tip!
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UTC quote
Birdsnest wrote:
Same.

I have one foot in the "work smarter" camp and the rest of my body in the "I'd rather be napping" camp.
I need an Ultrasonic Cleaners for EXACTLY these reasons. Now, which one to get...
⚠️ Last edited by GeekLion on UTC; edited 1 time
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UTC quote
[quote="GeekLion"]
Camelback, as in - the hikers water holding backpack??

The bottle kind. Like a sippy thing. That way I can shake it too
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dsnyder586 wrote:
{
Camelback, as in - the hikers water holding backpack??

The bottle kind. Like a sippy thing. That way I can shake it too
LOL. Of course that makes sense. I save plastic mayo jars for the same reasons.
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UTC quote
also use simple green or purple power. Whatever degreaser I can get cheap at autozone.

and I buy the cheapo chinese ultrasonic cleaners on amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08MPZJQ5M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've bought 2.. 1 for up in nyc and 1 for in florida. One died after 3 months of heavy usage. The other one is going on a few years of usage with no problems.

The cheap harbor freight cleaner is too small for most carb parts.
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UTC quote
You guys are fancy! Hot water and Dawn for me.
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UTC quote
Oh, and sometimes I use this and hot water...
Works pretty good
Works pretty good
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UTC quote
I switched to simple green/water with ultrasonic cleaner due to the chemical aspect that I wanted to avoid. Comes out way cleaner!
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UTC quote
Good stuff.
Thanks y'all!
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UTC quote
The first time I used the sonic cleaner I used some incredibly caustic liquid I got from Amazon. Scary stuff. Great if you want to avoid leaving finger prints. I don't know how I will dispose of it. I also didn't realize I had to wait for the device thing to heat up and the results were not all that impressive.
The second time I used it on a really crusty 46 year old carb with Krud Kutter and water at the recommended 60 degrees celsius, and it came out like brand new. Fired right up and runs perfectly.
I have never been impressed with that carb dip in a can stuff. I had a really old can of it and I used that a few years ago and the carb I soaked in it came out with a soft black coating on every surface inside and out.
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UTC quote
Simple green and water.
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UTC quote
Some of the model engine (two stroke!) guys swear by antifreeze.
Kinda toxic to get rid of I suppose.
They strip paint and clean motors and carbs with it.
Note to self: I need an ultrasonic cleaner!
What models are y'all using?
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UTC quote
* I am also a convert to evaporust.
Even without ultrasonic.
That stuff is phenomenal.
Doesnt seem that toxic on skin.
Know some use it in their cleaners.
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UTC quote
Birdsnest wrote:
I bought this little dude on sale.
Will just fit a carb broken down.
First test run for 30 minutes at 60C with simple green and water was a revaluation.
Full convert here.
Ditto.
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UTC quote
I went with the 15L model. It'll fit an entire wheel hub, which is convenient. It'll also hold over half a headset, meaning you can clean one by flipping it around and running it again.
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UTC quote
I went the HF route. It's seen a lot of use and is still working...

https://www.harborfreight.com/25-liter-ultrasonic-cleaner-63256.html
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UTC quote
fine, you made me favorite this thread now.

I use the one we have at work, which is huge but effective. But I'm always interested in home versions, and you linked so many I'm thinking of doing it.
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UTC quote
I purchased a kit from Harbor Freight and it came with a small bottle of powder. Unfortunately I haven't use it yet.
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