This might be a dumb question, but I will ask anyways; I have a pof upper and I plan on using this to clean my BCG, charging handle if need be,bolt assembly, firing pin, retaining pin, and other small item stuff i can fit it in.
So, some of these have special coatings and what not, could these sonic cleaners ruin those protective coatings (pof np3 coating, lwrci nickel coating) and other types of coatings?
Do any of you guys use these type of products? If so, what do you guys think?
I have wondered the same thing. But if you havent bought a sonic cleaner yet, i would recommend spending about 20 dollars more and get a hornady brand sonic cleaner. Its probably made in china too, but hornady stands behind their stuff. Even if something goes out, you will have a better chance of getting parts for it. I do know, if you use a sonics cleaner you shouldnt use regular cleaner in it. You need to get something with oil in it to get back in all the small areas. Maybe clp or something along those lines? Here is a link to the hornady cleaner.
What brand do you have? Do you use a special cleaning solution or regular dish washing soap?
I’ve read that some people uses regular dish washing soap to clean there rifles, so I would assume it would be fine.
It works very well, but is obviously more expensive.
I use “gun” detergents such as the SLIP products, and have no idea if they are better than detergents marketed for other uses.
After the cleaning cycle, the cleaner is filled with lubricant and the process repeated. I believe this 2nd step is important in order to get lubricant in hard to reach places.
I’ve been using a sonic cleaner on small parts for a while (esp. FCG when using corrosive ammo like 5.45 x 39).
No issues that I am aware of.
However, I start with very hot water in the cleaning unit (to facilitate evaporation) and then run a blow dryer on the cleaned parts to make sure most of the moisture is gone.
Here what i am worried about using the ultrasonic cleaners. This is from another thread and this what he posted (part of it):
I worry about finishes being removed or hasting the removal over time of use.
[b]"Finishes: Some solvents may attack some finishes, especially many of the “paint type” coatings. Usually, plated finishes like hard chrome and electroless nickel are okay in the tank as long as the solvent isn’t something that can attack them. Few solvents can attack hard chrome parts like firing pins.
Painted markings such as sight high lights and safety markings will be removed in most solvents.
Experiment to make sure the solvent/cleaner combination won’t remove special coatings like some used on AR rifles as protective coatings over the anodized finish.
Don’t run aluminum parts longer than absolutely necessary. Ultrasonics do seem to attack aluminum."
[/b]
I dont agree with that. We had a ultrasonic cleaner where i use to work, and really it all depends on the chemicals you use. All the ultrasonics does, is help get in the areas that you couldnt normally get to. They would cold blue the parts we made at my last job, and it was kind of like blueing on a gun. One cleaner they had would strip that stuff right off. They went to a more epa freindly cleaner and that stuff wouldnt do much at all. So i say it depends on the chemicals.
Well i just ended up buying one cause i got a really good deal. I was curious, when you clean your ar parts (bcg, piston parts or charging handle) do you have to separate them by using a glass jar or can you spread them out? Is there any danger to the metal if they are to close together?
Parts that are in contact with one another or with metal in the cleaner will wear away the finish at the point of contact, but I have had no other damage.