Cleaning Question

[SHARPPOINT]

I know that this is not the place... BUT I learn alot from all of you. I just bought a ultrasonic cleaner and would like to know if any of you use one to clean gun parts? If so, what is the solution you use?

Thanks and if this needs to be moved, please do so.

[retarmyaviator]

Unless they are stainless steel parts I would not do it. I made the mistake of putting an original 1928 Thompson compensator in a sonic cleaner, it cleaned it down to the bare metal. I won't make that mistake again.

[SHARPPOINT]

Thanks, I am just thinking of barrel, recoil spring, guide rod... I have a Para 18.9 Limited and a 9mm STI Eagle (hard chrome). Have herd of people field stripping and dropping a STI in???

[j0s3ph]

Don't use the solution made for cleaning brass as that will strip away your bluing. I know that Hornady makes an ultrasonic solution for gun parts, but do your research on what finishes are acceptable to clean.

[Calishooter]

I'm using Lyman gun parts cleaning solution and warm water with my sonic cleaner to clean AR bolts, springs, pistol barrel, guide rods.

I like it so far.

Here's the link

http://www.amazon.com/Lyman-Turbo-Concentrated-Cleaning-Solution/dp/B006YU8ZGG

[RePete]

I use the Hornady Sonic cleaner to clean all of my guns - blued and stainless. No issues and it saves me time. I run them for 20 mins with the heat and after rinsing and blowing dry, a quick brush on the high carbon areas then blow the dust off, lube a reassemble.

While one's cleaning, the next is taken apart.

Small yogurt containers with 1/8" holes drilled in it is used for small parts.

I've used the Hornady solution and the Lyman solution, and prefer the Lyman. YMMV.

[retarmyaviator]

Don't use the solution made for cleaning brass as that will strip away your bluing. I know that Hornady makes an ultrasonic solution for gun parts, but do your research on what finishes are acceptable to clean.

The solution I used was warm soapy water, the cleaner removed a Dulite finish from the Thompson part. Edited April 13, 2013 by retarmyaviator

[SHARPPOINT]

Thanks for all the replys. I called Dawson, I ask about cleaning my hard chrome Eagle and the tech told me to use Dawn and HOT water only. He was not a fan of the solutions and he told me to use a US cleaner only when the gun gets very dirty, not every cleaning.?? Do any of you just field strip and put the complete gun in the US cleaner?

Thanks

Edited April 16, 2013 by SHARPPOINT

[sauza45]

I use 50/50 of water and simple green. works great on barrel and comp

[j0s3ph]

I would use distilled water instead of tap water when using Dawn. Also when doing a detailed cleaning, I completely disassemble the pistol, and throw the internals in an ultra sonic cleaner

[j0s3ph]

I would use distilled water instead of tap water when using Dawn. Also when doing a detailed cleaning, I completely disassemble the pistol, and throw the internals in an ultra sonic cleaner

[SHARPPOINT]

Another question, after using the Sonic, How to dry? I have a air compressor at my bench, but have herd of some people using a small toster?? If you use one, at what temp and how long?

Thanks

[j0s3ph]

Not too hot to where its changes the color of the brass

[Foxbat]

I don't see any point in making the gun cleaner than it will look after, say, 10 rounds. Guns are not Hubble telescopes, they are designed to run with some dirt in them.

Edited April 23, 2013 by Foxbat

[SHARPPOINT]

Brass??

Hubble telescopes... No, but seen guns (dirty) fail in the heat of competition. I clean my 2011's and 1911's after every shoot. My thinking was every 2000 rds or so I would find a better way of giving them a real cleaning.

[Foxbat]

I clean before every match, but then go through several practice sessions without cleaning and usually without problems - that can be a few hundred rounds, depending upon the schedule.

[Croomrider]

I would use distilled water instead of tap water when using Dawn. Also when doing a detailed cleaning, I completely disassemble the pistol, and throw the internals in an ultra sonic cleaner

[Croomrider]

I would use distilled water instead of tap water when using Dawn. Also when doing a detailed cleaning, I completely disassemble the pistol, and throw the internals in an ultra sonic cleaner

[Croomrider]

I would use distilled water instead of tap water when using Dawn. Also when doing a detailed cleaning, I completely disassemble the pistol, and throw the internals in an ultra sonic cleaner