Case Cleaning formula for Ultrasonic cleaner?

[DocV]

Perhaps I am on the obsessive side but I really dislike the grunge that builds up in my 45 ACP cases and primer pockets. That dislike made me an easy mark for an ultrasonic cleaning machine. As fate would have it, I was wandering through Harbor Freight the other day and happened to find one on the shelf. (OK, I will admit that I actually went to HF in the hopes of finding one :) )

So far, I am pleased with the cleaner. Although I seldom wash my truck, a few drops of auto shampoo in water and several cleaning cycles seems to do an adequate job of removing most of the yuck.

Does anyone who uses an ultrasonic cleaner have a favorite cleaning formula that they are willing to share?

[G.A. Heath]

A little dawn and a table spoon of lemi-shine powder mixed into distilled water works for me. I get the best results when I deprime, tumble, and then sonic clean. A few observations I would like to share:
1. Avoid using any chemicals that contain amonia (it will etch/corrode the brass).
2. Get your wife/gf/SO a new and better hair dryer and ask/beg for the old one. Take it a tray of wet brass, dry one end, place a second tray on top, flip, remove the top tray, and dry other end of the brass. Don't get it too hot though!

[DocV]

Thanks! I had been tumbling after running through the ultrasonic - as usual I was backwards.
I have been drying the brass in the sun but have one of MrsV's hairdryers.
Thanks for the tips!

[G.A. Heath]

I forgot to mention, when tumbling and sonic cleaning the brass don't mix calibers that can swallow each other. I had a 45 colt case swallow a .40 S&W which had swallowed a 9x19. They went from being shaken out after the tumbler to the sonic cleaner, unfortunately for me the tumbling media was walnut hulls which swelled up after getting wet. The 9x19 case came out easy enough, but the .40 S&W didn't cooperate in the least. I had to let it dry for about a week before I could full the .40 out of the .45.

[Don2]

One day I'm gonna buy one, but I want a larger one I can put gun parts in also.
Or other stuff to clean.
Wish I could afford a commercial one...But..!!!

Right now I'm going to have to keep using my vibratory one.
I wonder if they sell just the transducer so I could make a larger one?
I'm sure they do, but here comes the money problem again.


Don2

[DocV]

I got the 2.5 liter model. Listed at 74.99 but that 20% off coupon in American Rifleman comes in handy.
I could put my handgun parts in this one and maybe a smaller frame. I am concerned that any water under the sights or in the 1911 barrel link pin could cause problems down the line.
On the plus side, MrsV and ChildV now have some shiny earrings and doodads so they aren't complaining.

[velo99]

Here ya go guys.
http://www.6mmbr.com/ultrasonic.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Probably the best formula for an ultrasonic. I just use an ounce or less of the caseys though.

[APynckel]

I tried ultra sonic cleaning a couple times, never got the cases very clean, and took too long. I bought a SS rotary tumbler from http://www.stainlesstumblingmedia.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and have been using that ever since. I would highly recommend it.