Ultra Sonic Cleaners

ArmySon · September 12, 2000, 02:31 PM

Has anybody ever heard of Ultra Sonic Cleaners removing blued finishes?

Circlesqr · October 12, 2000, 05:54 PM

Yes, it can happen but it's mostly a function of the cleaning solution strength and the length of time the item spends in the cleaning tank.
--Daniel

fubsy · October 13, 2000, 12:26 AM

You bet.....back in 80-82 the company i worked for had one that I could put the barrels and action for a doublebarrel shotgun in.....I got busy forgot them and came back and yep they were stripped.......its why I wont use them....but with care they work.....i would be curious if any long time users have noticed any "fading" in the quality of the blueing from this process, I mean if it will strip wouldnt it appear that continued exposure would gradually affect the blueing?......fubsy.

ArmySon · October 13, 2000, 01:01 PM

I tried a recoil plug and the cleaner stripped almost all the bluing off. I got brave and tried a slide and it didn't do anything to it. I'd still wager that over the course of time, the bluing will fade on the slide with continuous usage in the ultrasonic cleaner.

However, there hasn't been any negative effects on stainless steel.

JNewell · November 20, 2000, 11:50 AM

Has anyone had bad experiences with parkerized parts, such as my favorite hard to clean part, the AR-15 bolt?

With older parts, I can see an ultrasonic cleaner changing the color because it might blast loose all the oil, grease and linseed/tung oil that had soaked into the surface over the years. I'm wondering if any more serious damage could be done?

September 12, 2000, 02:31 PM	#1
ArmySon Staff Alumnus Join Date: April 14, 2000 Posts: 2,926	Has anybody ever heard of Ultra Sonic Cleaners removing blued finishes?

October 12, 2000, 05:54 PM	#2
Circlesqr Member Join Date: April 1, 2000 Posts: 40	Yes, it can happen but it's mostly a function of the cleaning solution strength and the length of time the item spends in the cleaning tank. --Daniel

October 13, 2000, 12:26 AM	#3
fubsy Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 1999 Posts: 1,363	You bet.....back in 80-82 the company i worked for had one that I could put the barrels and action for a doublebarrel shotgun in.....I got busy forgot them and came back and yep they were stripped.......its why I wont use them....but with care they work.....i would be curious if any long time users have noticed any "fading" in the quality of the blueing from this process, I mean if it will strip wouldnt it appear that continued exposure would gradually affect the blueing?......fubsy.

October 13, 2000, 01:01 PM	#4
ArmySon Staff Alumnus Join Date: April 14, 2000 Posts: 2,926	I tried a recoil plug and the cleaner stripped almost all the bluing off. I got brave and tried a slide and it didn't do anything to it. I'd still wager that over the course of time, the bluing will fade on the slide with continuous usage in the ultrasonic cleaner. However, there hasn't been any negative effects on stainless steel.

November 20, 2000, 11:50 AM	#5
JNewell Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2000 Posts: 1,092	Has anyone had bad experiences with parkerized parts, such as my favorite hard to clean part, the AR-15 bolt? With older parts, I can see an ultrasonic cleaner changing the color because it might blast loose all the oil, grease and linseed/tung oil that had soaked into the surface over the years. I'm wondering if any more serious damage could be done?