Parts cleaners (solvent tank v. ultrasonic tank)

[rwmastel]

I'm looking at getting a tool to clean parts.  An age old tool in auto shops is the solvent tank, often includes a pressure nozzle and cleaning brush.  In recent years, hobbyists like us have been using ultrasonic tanks to clean small parts.  Does the ultrasonic tank replace the need for the solvent tank?  Should the hobbyist have both?  Solvent tanks are larger for less money.  What size and brand of ultrasonic units to you guys have?  I'm thinking 10 liter or 2.5 gallon would be minimum for our hobby, no?

Also, when the solvent needs refreshed in the old fashioned solvent tank, I assume you need to take the stuff to a hazardous waste disposal site.  Right?  How is the used water/cleaner solution in ultrasound cleaners disposed of?

[Cees Klumper]

Hey Rodd, it depends on what parts you're looking to clean. I have used an ultrasonic cleaner only on my carburetor parts. Engine greasy parts: brush and plenty of kerosene. Chassis/steel parts: sandblaster or wire wheel on angle grinder.

[Vander]

Most kitchens these days have an automatic parts washer built-in, they even pump out the waste.

[Mike Hughes]

She who must be obeyed would put a contract out on me if I did that!  ;^)

[dirkbalter]

Most kitchens these days have an automatic parts washer built-in, they even pump out the waste.

Love it. lol.

[rwmastel]

Hey Rodd, it depends on what parts you're looking to clean. I have used an ultrasonic cleaner only on my carburetor parts. Engine greasy parts: brush and plenty of kerosene. Chassis/steel parts: sandblaster or wire wheel on angle grinder.

Well, if I ever get to it, I want to really clean up the engine bay hardware while the engine is out.  So, that's probably a solvent tank.  Rebuilding the electric fuel pump is on my list, I think the ultrasonic tank would get those parts (housing, etc.) clean.  Fuel injectors and cold start valve would be good candidates for ultrasonic cleaning.  Who knows what else I might do.

She who must be obeyed would put a contract out on me if I did that!  ;^)

Yes, the kitchen is not an option.  Also, we're on well and septic, so what I put in the ground may come back in my drinking water some day!  That thinking (regardless of accuracy) keeps me from polluting.

[mdsalemi]

Obviously there's no one way to clean everything.

I have a small-ish ultrasonic cleaner I bought when I owned a car wash, I used it to clean a variety of small parts including nozzles. I used water-based degreasing solvents. ZEP purple is one, and you can get something similar at Sam's Club, also purple. I also used various detergents etc. depending on what was being cleaned. The unit holds maybe 24 ounces or so, and has heat. Not as big as some, but much larger than a jewelry cleaner.

I used to do a lot of degreasing for bicycle work using a tried and true old coffee can and mineral spirits. As soon as you would put in a greasy dirty object, you'd see the grease being dissolved by the mineral spirits. However in recent years with the advent of low-VOC mineral spirits, these new mineral spirits are pretty useless; I've soaked some greasy nuts and bolts for days and nothing happens! The water based purple degreasers do a better job and quicker.

Spray cans of both Carburetor and or Brake Cleaner do a good job on installed parts. I suspect that some of these volatile organic solvents are available in bulk but you then have the disposal issue you note, and I guess they are not cheap either.

I also have a vibratory tumbler. Also not too big but big enough for all kinds of small parts such as nuts and bolts and similar. After cleaning, some days in the tumbler yield a nice clean part with the right media.

[Fandorin]

I’ve been using an ultrasonic cleaner for a while now, and it’s been a game-changer for smaller parts. It doesn't completely replace a solvent tank though. For larger or tougher cleaning jobs, the solvent tank still has its place, especially if you’re cleaning bigger parts or need a heavier-duty solution. I’ve got a 10-liter ultrasonic unit, and it works well for my hobby needs.

I think that size is about right, but I’d go a bit larger if you’re planning on cleaning multiple parts at once. As for disposal, the water in ultrasonic cleaners can be tricky. I usually just dilute and dispose of it carefully, but I’ve read that certain cleaners have safer disposal methods. A few months ago, I needed a cleaner for a tricky part and found a reliable model here: https://www.kaijo-shibuya.com/industrial-ultrasonic-cleaners/, which helped a lot with efficiency.

[Pawel66]

The restoration industry here use three methods: sand blasting, glass blasting and ice blasting.

[johnk]

I used Harbor freight parts cleaner with the Zep Purple cleaner. Added a cattle trough heater from Tractor supply and overnight not only would the parts be clean, but the paint would be removed from the many parts not primered before painting at the factory. Made it real easy to paint or powder coat the parts to look like new.

[stickandrudderman]

I'm afraid there is no "one size fits all".
I use
ultrasonic
Heated parts washer
Vapour blasting
Mechanical (using special tools)

[wwheeler]

Zep purple with a heated ultrasonic cleaner is my first step for greasy parts. Then I hit them with a glass bead blaster. Note: Zep purple reacts with Aluminum parts! You have to be careful how long they stay in there. In theory, it could eat the aluminum until nothing is left.

For painted parts, I use "Strip-it-dry" paint remover. One of the few that REALLY work. Others have had the good stuff removed and are basically useless.   

But there is no silver bullet. What you use depends on the part design, its material make up and if its greasy or just just dirty.