Cleaning Meprolight sights with Ultrasound

Dakbroadbent · January 24, 2014, 11:03 AM

I have been cleaning my 1911's for a couple of years with a Lyman ultrasonic cleaner using their proprietary water based detergent. Works Great. I bought a Kimber with Meprolight nightsights and I'm wondering if these sights will tolerate the ultrasound cleaning. I phoned the US distributor for Meprolight and Kimber; neither could give me an answer. I emailed the manufacturer in Israel with the question; no reply yet.
Anyone have experience or an opinion on this?

chris in va · January 24, 2014, 05:23 PM

Considering ultrasound creates microscopic 'explosions' on a surface, I wouldn't risk it. IIRC the tritium vials are sealed with some sort of clear polymer.

Just a guess though, maybe someone in the know can comment.

Paul K · January 24, 2014, 09:56 PM

I've done it all the time with guns and it's no big deal.

Walt Sherrill · January 25, 2014, 04:22 PM

Paul K's answer seems definitive -- but if that isn't good enough, simply call or email Meprolight.

Destructo6 · January 26, 2014, 12:14 PM

With heat and too much time (over 10 minutes) it will remove paint and some finishes.

It's unlikely that it would harm the tritium inserts themselves, but if the sights have painted dots, they may be gone when it comes out.

Take a look at the instructions for the cleaning agent. It should list safe times for various finishes.

January 24, 2014, 11:03 AM	#1
Dakbroadbent Junior Member Join Date: May 7, 2010 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 4	Cleaning Meprolight sights with Ultrasound I have been cleaning my 1911's for a couple of years with a Lyman ultrasonic cleaner using their proprietary water based detergent. Works Great. I bought a Kimber with Meprolight nightsights and I'm wondering if these sights will tolerate the ultrasound cleaning. I phoned the US distributor for Meprolight and Kimber; neither could give me an answer. I emailed the manufacturer in Israel with the question; no reply yet. Anyone have experience or an opinion on this?

January 26, 2014, 12:14 PM	#5
Destructo6 Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 1999 Location: Nogales, AZ USA Posts: 4,001	With heat and too much time (over 10 minutes) it will remove paint and some finishes. It's unlikely that it would harm the tritium inserts themselves, but if the sights have painted dots, they may be gone when it comes out. Take a look at the instructions for the cleaning agent. It should list safe times for various finishes. __________________ God gave you a soul. Your parents, a body. Your country, a rifle. Keep all of them clean.

January 24, 2014, 05:23 PM	#2
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Considering ultrasound creates microscopic 'explosions' on a surface, I wouldn't risk it. IIRC the tritium vials are sealed with some sort of clear polymer. Just a guess though, maybe someone in the know can comment.

January 24, 2014, 09:56 PM	#3
Paul K Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2001 Location: Michigan Posts: 674	I've done it all the time with guns and it's no big deal.

January 25, 2014, 04:22 PM	#4
Walt Sherrill Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 1999 Location: Winston-Salem, NC USA Posts: 6,348	Paul K's answer seems definitive -- but if that isn't good enough, simply call or email Meprolight.