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Ultrasonic cleaning and bluing damage?


Preacherman

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Posted

I've been cleaning my Pietta 1851 cylinders in an Ultrasonic cleaner. Will this cause bluing damage/remove it? It seems like the bluing might be coming off or is it normal wear and tear. I would like to know. Thanks a million! Preacherman

Posted

Howdy (fellow) Preacher,

 

I don't have much experience with ultrasonic cleaners, but I suspect that the solution you use can make a difference. You might want to add that to your post. I would suggest that you stay away from anything with vinegar in it. Vinegar makes a pretty good blue remover. There's a chemical name for vinegar but I don't remember what that is.  If you use one of the solutions from the reloading companies for gun cleaning I would think you should be good.

Color case finish is more fragile than blue, they even cover the real stuff with a lacquer to protect it. I don't know about the more common (these days?) chemical case-look finish. Again, I suspect that the commercial gun cleaning should be good, but I'd check with the manufacturer about color case finishes.

 

Rev. Chase

Posted

Oh, thanks as I forgot that. I use 1 part Ballistol to 10 parts water. That I would think is pretty gentle. 

Posted

Preacherman,

 

I'm not seeing any bluing or loss of shine etc on any of the parts and pistols that I've cleaned.

I use this Simple Green product. This was recommended by @Tequila Shooter

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001VXU7OE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

La Sombra

Posted

It sure took it off mine. Just on the bottom side.

image.thumb.jpeg.4b5fea03bf4857acc95cb995376f7f6d.jpeg

Posted

I don't use an ultrasonic cleaner for my guns, but I can see a potential issue if you place a part with a blued finish against a metal basket or tray. And as mentioned, use a non-reactive cleaning agent.

Posted

I have only done my stainless Rugers and then I use Sonics gun cleaner in my ultrasonic. I have not had any issues with it.

 

TM

Posted

I've used Simple Green and water in a cheap ultrasonic cleaner and does a good job.

 

However I would not do this with a gun that has collectible value or sentimental value.

Posted

It's a plastic basket and I stand on the end which I don't really care about the finish there. They are the engraved ones and the engraving cuts in and around them are loosing the finish. Now I'm thinking that Pietta's process is ok except in those areas and the ultrasonic is affecting those areas. I don't know. Just wondering here what folks smarter than me think. We can move on I guess. Maybe I'll clean the old fashioned way. Thanks for all of your input!

Posted

I just use plain water, I keep the plastic basket in, and I put the cylinders down on the plastic basket on their face. I haven't seen any undue wear on the cylinder face. 

 

These days I don't usually use the ultrasonic cleaner. Black powder is easy enough to clean with just water and a few patches followed by wiping off the nooks and crannies in my opinion. 

 

I've tried putting my parts in a plastic bag of moose milk, and then putting that in a plain water filled ultrasonic; I can't say it made much difference. 

Posted
On 9/20/2024 at 3:24 PM, Squib Kidd said:

I had one completely destroy a S&W airweight.  They WILL eat aluminum.  

Me too.  Hornady sonic cleaner destroyed the finish on my charter UC Lite.  Hornady finally replaced my pistol due to advertising that their sonic cleaning solution is safe for all finishes.  Sad that they have still not changed the copy on their website or product packaging.  Best practice is to limit the time that you put handguns into the solution.  Bet to do multiple short (30-45 minutes) than leave them in the ultrasonic   For multiple hours.  Also, remove any synthetic or plastic grips.

Posted

Sometimes easier and faster is not better.

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