Ultra sonic cleaner
Discussion
Over the past year I’ve ended up as the unofficial “small engine” fixer for friends, family and neighbours
Mostly:
2 stroke petrol kit (strimmers, hedge trimmers, small lawnmowers)
Carb clean, fuel line/filter swaps, plug checks
The usual “it ran last summer…” situations
I’m now looking to level up my setup by investing in an ultrasonic parts cleaner to do a proper job on carburettors and small engine parts (without the endless scrubbing).
I’d love recommendations from anyone who’s already doing this:
What tank size is the sweet spot (6L / 10L / bigger)?
Any brands/models you rate for reliability?
What cleaning solutions/chemicals work best (and are safe on aluminium)?
Any do’s/don’ts you learned the hard way?
Longer term, I’m also considering turning this into a small side hustle / hobby not just 2 stroke:
• 4stroke mowers
• Small engines in general (mini motos, quads, generators, etc.)
Mostly:
2 stroke petrol kit (strimmers, hedge trimmers, small lawnmowers)
Carb clean, fuel line/filter swaps, plug checks
The usual “it ran last summer…” situations
I’m now looking to level up my setup by investing in an ultrasonic parts cleaner to do a proper job on carburettors and small engine parts (without the endless scrubbing).
I’d love recommendations from anyone who’s already doing this:
What tank size is the sweet spot (6L / 10L / bigger)?
Any brands/models you rate for reliability?
What cleaning solutions/chemicals work best (and are safe on aluminium)?
Any do’s/don’ts you learned the hard way?
Longer term, I’m also considering turning this into a small side hustle / hobby not just 2 stroke:
• 4stroke mowers
• Small engines in general (mini motos, quads, generators, etc.)
I use ultrasonics primarily for cleaning clock parts, but also for airbrushes, electric motors, watch bracelets, etc.
My main tank is 6 litres (actually holds just under 5 litres at the "max" level), plus a smaller one - about one litre.
My first tank, bought nearly 30 years ago, was a 3 litre made by Elma. Very expensive, but still works. Seems to be down on power though - can't punch holes in tin foil.
About 5 years ago I bought a couple of 6 litre tanks from eBay sellers. One had an English supplier's name on it, the other was a straight Chinese "GT Sonic" at half the price (around £60). Identical units, with different control labels.
If buying again, I'd just go for the Chinese machine.
I use ammoniated clock cleaning fluid in the main tank. Great for brass and steel, but can discolour nickel plating and die-cast alloys.
The small tank is just filled with water. I put small parts in glass jars with a suitable cleaning fluid - acetone, thinners, isopropyl, soapy water - and put the jar in the tank.
Tank shape is something to consider, as well as volume. Most sizes are available in "tall and skinny" and "short and wide".
Get one with a drain valve (much easier to empty) and a heater (degreasing works much better at 50 degrees).
A basket is essential, as is a lid if you are using a chemical cleaner.
My main tank is 6 litres (actually holds just under 5 litres at the "max" level), plus a smaller one - about one litre.
My first tank, bought nearly 30 years ago, was a 3 litre made by Elma. Very expensive, but still works. Seems to be down on power though - can't punch holes in tin foil.
About 5 years ago I bought a couple of 6 litre tanks from eBay sellers. One had an English supplier's name on it, the other was a straight Chinese "GT Sonic" at half the price (around £60). Identical units, with different control labels.
If buying again, I'd just go for the Chinese machine.
I use ammoniated clock cleaning fluid in the main tank. Great for brass and steel, but can discolour nickel plating and die-cast alloys.
The small tank is just filled with water. I put small parts in glass jars with a suitable cleaning fluid - acetone, thinners, isopropyl, soapy water - and put the jar in the tank.
Tank shape is something to consider, as well as volume. Most sizes are available in "tall and skinny" and "short and wide".
Get one with a drain valve (much easier to empty) and a heater (degreasing works much better at 50 degrees).
A basket is essential, as is a lid if you are using a chemical cleaner.
As mentioned above unless you're buying a very expensive long running brand they'll all be the same Chinese units with a different badge. I've got a 30 litre unit which is great in that it fits just about anything in but the drawback is filling it. If I'm cleaning small parts I'll fill the tank with cold water and place the part in a jar or tub filled with hot water and cleaner. 90% of the time a much smaller unit would be perfectly fine as I mainly use it for push bike parts but still glad I went big on the occasions I want to stick brake calipers from the car in it.
jfdi said:
As mentioned above unless you're buying a very expensive long running brand they'll all be the same Chinese units with a different badge. I've got a 30 litre unit which is great in that it fits just about anything in but the drawback is filling it. If I'm cleaning small parts I'll fill the tank with cold water and place the part in a jar or tub filled with hot water and cleaner. 90% of the time a much smaller unit would be perfectly fine as I mainly use it for push bike parts but still glad I went big on the occasions I want to stick brake calipers from the car in it.
The cost of filling is one reason I stuck with a 6 litre tank.The cleaning fluid I use (Horolene) now costs about £150 for a 5 litre can. Gets diluted with 7 parts of water, so a 30 litre tank would cost around £100 to fill.
clockworks said:
The cost of filling is one reason I stuck with a 6 litre tank.
The cleaning fluid I use (Horolene) now costs about £150 for a 5 litre can. Gets diluted with 7 parts of water, so a 30 litre tank would cost around £100 to fill.
Hence full the tank with plain water, put the part in a jar with the diluted cleaner.The cleaning fluid I use (Horolene) now costs about £150 for a 5 litre can. Gets diluted with 7 parts of water, so a 30 litre tank would cost around £100 to fill.
I have also have a 6ltr cleaner; it has a heater and drain valve. Model 1860QTD. I sized the purchase specifically for carburettors and have had 4 barrel Holley, Carter and Weber DCOE in it without issue.
For cleaning fluid I just use water and a good splosh of Surfex HD. 40 minutes at 50c and the carb bodies come out like new. Just remember to wash off in clean water straight away afterwards and then a low bake in the oven. Protect with some WD40 and reassemble
For cleaning fluid I just use water and a good splosh of Surfex HD. 40 minutes at 50c and the carb bodies come out like new. Just remember to wash off in clean water straight away afterwards and then a low bake in the oven. Protect with some WD40 and reassemble
jfdi said:
clockworks said:
The cost of filling is one reason I stuck with a 6 litre tank.
The cleaning fluid I use (Horolene) now costs about £150 for a 5 litre can. Gets diluted with 7 parts of water, so a 30 litre tank would cost around £100 to fill.
Hence full the tank with plain water, put the part in a jar with the diluted cleaner.The cleaning fluid I use (Horolene) now costs about £150 for a 5 litre can. Gets diluted with 7 parts of water, so a 30 litre tank would cost around £100 to fill.
My 6litre tank is just about big enough to hold a longcase (grandfather) clock back plate - if I remove the basket. A 10 litre tall would be better.
About 8 years I bought a 15 litre cleaner with heater, basket, lid, drain valve, digital timers etc for ~£130 on eBay. For the difference in price the bigger capacity seemed a good idea. It's just a generic unbranded Chinese thing but it works well.
Depending what I'm cleaning I'll use diluted APC, citric acid, or a crumbled dishwasher tablet (this in very hot water makes for a mega effective degreaser). Citric acid shifts corrosion but be careful on anything plated.
The built in heater takes quite a while to heat water from cold, so best to fill the tank with hot water and use the heater to maintain temperature.
Plastic takeaway containers with lids work really well for cleaning small parts like nuts and bolts.
Depending what I'm cleaning I'll use diluted APC, citric acid, or a crumbled dishwasher tablet (this in very hot water makes for a mega effective degreaser). Citric acid shifts corrosion but be careful on anything plated.
The built in heater takes quite a while to heat water from cold, so best to fill the tank with hot water and use the heater to maintain temperature.
Plastic takeaway containers with lids work really well for cleaning small parts like nuts and bolts.
I've got two - a small one and a larger one. Tend to use a more dilute detergent in the smaller one. Both heated with timer.
https://mistralie.co.uk/collections/ultrasonic-cle...
https://mistralie.co.uk/collections/ultrasonic-cle...
JoshSm said:
clockworks said:
The cleaning fluid I use (Horolene) now costs about £150 for a 5 litre can.
Bit steep for what looks to be a fairly basic mix of ammonia, acetone, meths and butyl acetate. Looking at what else is available, L&R ammoniated concentrate works out at £85 for 5 litres (actually comes in US gallons, so 3.8 litres). I've been impressed with the L&R watch cleaners, so I'll give it a try.
2 years ago, Horolene (British made) was cheaper than L&R (American made).
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