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9/3/2008 6:58:27 PM EDT
Since I often shoot several pistols whenever I go to the range I’ve been thinking about getting an ultrasonic cleaner. Since I’m very meticulous with cleaning my firearms, I often spend a few hours cleaning all of them and I was hoping that an ultrasonic cleaner would speed up the process and also get into all those areas that conventional cleaning tools can’t really get to.
I haven’t looked at any specific ones, I figure there all pretty similar in terms of what they do, but I was wondering if anybody had experience with using them and what I should expect. I was thinking about using something like Ed’s Red as the cleaning agent so then I wouldn’t have to worry about re-oiling everything after they’ve been cleaned.
Here are a few specific things I was wondering as well:
Cleaning aluminum parts? You’re not supposed to right?
Blued and other finishes? I read something about the possibility of some finishes getting ruined.
I saw an advertiser saying that using a steel basket as opposed to a plastic one was safer for your parts? I’m not sure if there’s any truth to this…
Well if anybody could give me some more information and their experiences with them I would really appreciate it, thanks.
9/3/2008 7:07:55 PM EDT
[#1]
I wouldnt do it, when I ran an opical lab we used one all on kinds of stuff, and we would ruin items sometimes. It was a rule of thumb that we didn't put anything really nice in it.  
9/4/2008 10:07:27 AM EDT
[#2]
I do a periodic cleaning on my AR's parts with one, it does a fantastic job.  I'm sure it will screw up a finish if you leave it in there long enough, given that it works by creating cavatation on the surface of anything you put in it.  But then I don't worry much about cosmetics.  Also watch out that you don't let any two parts touch, the vibration will quickly remove any finish in that area... as me how I know!  I don't think you're supposed to use any oil based cleaners in them since they do get hot, or at least mine does.  The standard blue colored cleaning fluid works great.  
9/4/2008 11:00:50 AM EDT
[#3]
I believe Slip 2000 sells them and they are a gun cleaning company. All their stuff is top notch.
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