TomN Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 Hello All, I am considering getting the Hornandy Hot Tub Ultrasonic Cleaner has anybody used one or have a opinion about how good they are? TIA, Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ppgcowboy Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 I got one at harbor freight and works fine. What will you use for cleaner? I use the purple simple green. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomN Posted October 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 I'm not sure what cleaner I will use. I read somewhere the purple simple green was good but not to use regular simple green. Lyman, Hornandy and others make various solutions, I'm hoping others will chime in. ppgcowboy...can you elaborate some about how you clean stuff, what I mean is how far do you disassemble a firearm? I know you shouldn't put wood items in the tank but what about plastic, Bakelite and other non-metal items. Any cleaning tips are much appreciated. Cheers,Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ppgcowboy Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 I only put the metal parts in. I totally disassemble magazines, and give a trigger housiing a quick dip for a couple minutes, then a rinse in hot water,then dried followed by a drenching in CLP. My brother is a goldsmith so I have access to his steamer when I want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougStump Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 I have the Lyman 6000 cleaner, and like suggested by ppgcowboy I only clean metal (no plastic or optics). It does a great job. What cleaning solution? Well, boxers or briefs? Depends! For simple cleaning I use Dawn Platinum, cheap and safe to dump down the septic tank. For more invasive cleaning or built up carbon I normally use Hornady gun parts cleaning solution (the local Academy usually has it in stock). For cleaning suppressors, I will them with foam bore cleaner and let sit overnight. Then into the ultrasonic cleaner with parts cleaning solution. Remember, after cleaning you MUST displace the water inside the parts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timkel Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 (edited) A no-name brand. I use it for cleaning and removing rust. Works fast and well. Edited October 31, 2018 by timkel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adg105200 Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 I've used the Hornady small one before (my older brother has it) and it works great. I usually disassemble as much as conveniently possibly to make wiping/drying off after easier. MPro7 carbon cleaner works good and I believe can be diluted. Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giantpune Posted November 4, 2018 Report Share Posted November 4, 2018 (edited) I have the hornady hot tub. Its simple to operate, but I guess the instructions aren't exactly clean or it or I'm just slow. I always have to think about it a few minutes to remember what the buttons do (I don't use it after every single range trip). It takes a while to heat up that much cleaning juice. Its also 5x more useful if you get a couple extra if the metal containers that drop down in it. After a trip to the range, I can field strip about 3-4 full size handguns (ie glock 34, 1911, P320 full size) and put them all in to clean. I even throw in the plastic grip/frames. Haven't had any trouble with them melting. Then pull the parts out, rinse them in an extra metal container with hot water, and use a shop compressor to blow them dry. I have not put any red dots or fiber optic sights in it. Even factoring in the extra time it takes to heat the thing up, my guns get cleaner and I'm done faster than doing it the old fashioned way with bore snakes, brushes, ballistol, and patches. It may not be worth it for just 1 gun, but with 4+ it definitely is. The parts don't come out spotless. They're pretty clean but require a little effort with a patch/cloth to get museum-quality clean. You do go through a lot of lube, too. You have to completely re-lube your guns when you're done. And I like to rub down the surfaces with a little oil to keep off surface rust. If you buy the cleaner, go ahead and buy a large SAMS club quantity bottle of lube. Edited November 4, 2018 by giantpune Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pstidan Posted November 4, 2018 Report Share Posted November 4, 2018 (edited) Never, ever, put any aluminum anything an ultrasonic cleaner. I ruined the finish on an Uzi .22lr conversion bolt with an ultrasonic cleaner. Sanding waves were generated within the aluminum bolt and all the finish along the standing waves was totally removed. The bolt now appears to have a spider web finish. Luckily the bolt is still useable. Never, ever, put any items using Loctite, or Loctite type, glue in an ultrasonic cleaner. I cleaned a dirty full auto AUG bolt carrier using my ultrasonic cleaner. Unbeknownst to me, the thrust tips, which are secured to the recoil spring rods with Loctite, loosened up. During the next shooting session, one thrust tip backed out and caused the recoil spring rod to bulge and twist. Poof! A $750 bolt carrier was ruined and totally unusable. Never, ever, place any items holding hydraulic oil in an ultrasonic cleaner. A close friend cleaned his M2 .50 Caliber Browning using an ultrasonic cleaner. He placed all the internals in his ultrasonic cleaner and it sure cleaned everything nicely. But again, unbeknownst to him, the hydraulic buffer seals loosened up. The hydraulic fluid leaked out and the water based ultrasonic cleaner fluid leaked in. During his next shooting session, the hydraulic buffer seized up while firing causing both side plates to bulge. It cost him over $6000 to have the weapon repaired. Edited November 4, 2018 by pstidan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timkel Posted November 4, 2018 Report Share Posted November 4, 2018 Never, ever, put any aluminum anything an ultrasonic cleaner. I ruined the finish on an Uzi .22lr conversion bolt with an ultrasonic cleaner. Sanding waves were generated within the aluminum bolt and all the finish along the standing waves was totally removed. The bolt now appears to have a spider web finish. Luckily the bolt is still useable. Never, ever, put any items using Loctite, or Loctite type, glue in an ultrasonic cleaner. I cleaned a dirty full auto AUG bolt carrier using my ultrasonic cleaner. Unbeknownst to me, the thrust tips, which are secured to the recoil spring rods with Loctite, loosened up. During the next shooting session, one thrust tip backed out and caused the recoil spring rod to bulge and twist. Poof! A $750 bolt carrier was ruined and totally unusable. Never, ever, place any items holding hydraulic oil in an ultrasonic cleaner. A close friend cleaned his M2 .50 Caliber Browning using an ultrasonic cleaner. He placed all the internals in his ultrasonic cleaner and it sure cleaned everything nicely. But again, unbeknownst to him, the hydraulic buffer seals loosened up. The hydraulic fluid leaked out and the water based ultrasonic cleaner fluid leaned in. During his next shooting session, the hydraulic buffer seized up while firing causing both side plates to bulge. It cost him over $6000 to have the weapon repaired.Interesting info. I did not know that about loctite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoscoeTurner Posted November 4, 2018 Report Share Posted November 4, 2018 In addition some of the solutions will also remove bluing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adg105200 Posted November 5, 2018 Report Share Posted November 5, 2018 Interesting to know. I've never used a ultrasonic cleaner on anything much more than some internal parts and the compensator(cerakoted aluminum) on my 1911-22. So far no issues. Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcmacd Posted January 21, 2022 Report Share Posted January 21, 2022 I bought a Colt Series 70 from a diesel mechanic years ago He had a heated fuel injector ultrasonic cleaner filled with kerosene or diesel, and thoroughly cleaned the weapon before selling it to me. It worked out the grip studs on the frame! Even being staked, they came loose. Gotta watch out for that kind of stuff. I don't suppose i would put in a slide with tritium inserts, either? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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