gharlane Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 just got a ultrasonic cleaner from Micro Mark and I am greatly pleased with it. My question is how often do i need to change the cleaning fluid?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Triarius Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 When it looks dirty, or there is grunge on the bottom. For most cleaning, I just put in enough water to cover the parts, add a couple of hefty squirts of Simple Green (~1-2 Tbsp.) and run it for five minutes. Do not let it run too long. many ultrasonic cleaners have tubs made of aluminum, and these can be etched by the combination of vibration and cleaning solution if allowed to run too long. The stainless steel tubs are much more resistant. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 What's Simple Green? I also have an ultrasonic cleaner. I've been using plain tap water in the tub, and I must say I'm not really satisfied with the result. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Triarius Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 It's a cleaning product. Not sure what it's called in your part of the world, or if it would even be the same formulation. You could also use Formula 409 or something similar, though the same caveat as to name and composition applies. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 Seems similar to Ajax here. Next time, I might try mixing some in the ultrasonic cleaner. Might also try mixing a bit of Windex... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Triarius Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 Windex is an excellent general purpose cleaner. However, be advised that it is mostly alcohol, with a small amount of ammonia. Ammonia will etch aluminum, and neither is anything you need to breathe. There may be a fire hazard if you allow the cleaner to run long enough for the solution to get hot. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gharlane Posted January 17, 2011 Author Share Posted January 17, 2011 thanks for the info. i have the one w/stainless tub in it. does the simply green clean do a better job of cleaning or is it cheaper than the fluid from micro mark? BTW what would be the IDEAL cleaning solution? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 Windex is an excellent general purpose cleaner. However, be advised that it is mostly alcohol, with a small amount of ammonia. Ammonia will etch aluminum, and neither is anything you need to breathe. There may be a fire hazard if you allow the cleaner to run long enough for the solution to get hot. IMHO, I don't think Windex is a fire hazard. At least the one sold here in Oz. If it was, by Australian law, the company would be obliged to put up a "flammable" sign on the label. There's also a "Crystal Rain" Windex sold here that does not contain ammonia, which I've just started using to clean up my airbrush. It also just occurred to me that you might've thought that I was suggesting to use undiluted Windex in the ultrasonic cleaner instead of water, which I wasn't. I was suggesting to add a few squirts of Windex into the water used in the ultrasonic cleaner. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Triarius Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 thanks for the info. i have the one w/stainless tub in it. does the simply green clean do a better job of cleaning or is it cheaper than the fluid from micro mark? BTW what would be the IDEAL cleaning solution? IMHO, Simple Green is one of the best general cleaners, and superior degreasers, available. Supposed to be relatively non-toxic and environmentally friendly, or "green" (ba-dong-bing!). I buy it by the gallon, and use it for everything except bathing. And it has to be cheaper than the one sold by $Micro$Mark$. The ideal cleaning solution is the one that works and is least dangerous to use. In other words, there isn't one. However, my solution of last resort for cleaning just about anything is 1/3 water, 1/3 Simple Green, and 1/3 Windex with ammonia—sometimes called "Magic" in the scale modeling crowd. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Triarius Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 (edited) IMHO, I don't think Windex is a fire hazard. At least the one sold here in Oz. If it was, by Australian law, the company would be obliged to put up a "flammable" sign on the label. There's also a "Crystal Rain" Windex sold here that does not contain ammonia, which I've just started using to clean up my airbrush. It also just occurred to me that you might've thought that I was suggesting to use undiluted Windex in the ultrasonic cleaner instead of water, which I wasn't. I was suggesting to add a few squirts of Windex into the water used in the ultrasonic cleaner. The Windex itself, no. But if you heat it, how much isopropyl alcohol is vaporized? That could be a fire hazard. And vaporizing ammonia is not a good plan under any circumstances. I wonder what's in "Crystal Rain" that is effective as ammonia for cleaning airbrushes. And yes, I did think you were suggesting using undiluted Windex in the ultrasonic. Thanks for the clarification. Used that way, it should be relatively harmless, though the ammonia fumes are still a potential concern. Ammonia in vapor form can be extraordinarily dangerous stuff, especially in an enclosed, poorly ventilated area. Fortunately, it doesn't take much to stink to high heaven. Edited January 17, 2011 by Triarius Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MarkW Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 (edited) I use a "double boiler" setup, with the bad chemicals, in this case lacquer thinner, separate from the water bath. The water transmits the ultrasonic waves nicely, and excess thinner goes in my brush cleaner jar. Note the thinner below was crystal clear at the start of the cycle. The rest of the AB guts are in their too, just invisible due to the paint cloud. Just in case there were any doubters out there! Edited January 18, 2011 by MarkW Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tim Annear Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 I've been looking into buying an ultrasonic cleaner for my airbrushes. Question is, do they really work and would it be a worthwhile purchase? Your views would be helpful. thx Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PlasticWeapons Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 (edited) Yes, they really work. Just don't put eyeglasses in them too long to clean otherwise the anti-reflective coating will come off. Ask me how I know. :P Edited January 8, 2012 by PlasticWeapons Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kahunaminor Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Tim, ALDI sell a small U/S cleaner for about $40. Used in conjunction with the bath method above and any homebrand lacquer thinners, it works well and at a relatively low cost. On it's own it is also useful for jewellery and other small cleaning jobs around the house. The last is in case you need to justify it for SWMBO!! Regards.\, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tim Annear Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Thanks for info guys, Me thinks I'm off shopping now and will check definately the ALDI site. Appreciate your help. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tim Annear Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Well I'm a happy owner of a new u/s cleaner just can't wait to get it and try it out. Bought the Cody version "as seen on youtube". Quote Link to post Share on other sites
galileo1 Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Never used Simple Green but I've used this with my ultrasonic cleaner: http://www.airbrushheadquarters.com/cubecart/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=116 Mix 50/50 with water and you'll be amaze at how much gunk you get out of your airbrush. Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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