Ultrasonic Cleaning Rifle Action...?

[Rearlugs]

Yes, can confirm the risk inherent in drying newly-suncorite'd barrelled actions in the oven when you erroneously think that the wife will be out shopping all day....


Whats a decent value brand of ultrasonic cleaner, suitable in size for rifle actions?

[phaedra1106]

Just checked and mine is a 3L which should do it easily, you don't need a heater in it just use a kettle to fill it :)

Internal tank size is about 24cmx14cmx10cm (LxWxD) about £50-£65 on eBay

[ovenpaa]

I would endorse the dishwasher over the ultrasonic for a rifle action, they work incredibly well for this and may other firearm related items. Bung it on a short wash, remove when finished, pat down with kitchen tissues and leave on a rack to cool down, when fully dry lightly oil.

Job done

As an aside, if I had to choose between a dish washer and ultrasonic cleaner for general cleaning (Other than brass) It would be a dishwasher. When it comes to brass I would use a LEM or Stainless media tumbler or anything other than an Ultrasonic cleaner...

[Mattnall]

Ultrasonic cleaners can cause degradation of the surface on some metals.
The NDT guys at a previous work place showed me a sheet of steel with regular marks/pattern in the surface caused by cavitation (or something similar, it was a while ago) and the damaged areas corresponded to the wavelengths of the sound where there was constructive (or destructive) interference causing hotspots in the bath.

One member on this forum (IIRC) ultrasonic cleaned their AR bolt carrier and it caused similar damage or very slight pitting at various place on the surface. The result was more like the parkerised or phosphate coating removed and the carrier was still usable but looked worn.

Ultrasonic clean your receiver at your own risk. How you'd know if it was OK without trying it is the problem. Maybe you can adjust the frequency to stop these hotspots
A google search should find more info on this for you.

[ColinR]

Ultrasonic cleaners can cause degradation of the surface on some metals.
The NDT guys at a previous work place showed me a sheet of steel with regular marks/pattern in the surface caused by cavitation (or something similar, it was a while ago) and the damaged areas corresponded to the wavelengths of the sound where there was constructive (or destructive) interference causing hotspots in the bath.

One member on this forum (IIRC) ultrasonic cleaned their AR bolt carrier and it caused similar damage or very slight pitting at various place on the surface. The result was more like the parkerised or phosphate coating removed and the carrier was still usable but looked worn.

Ultrasonic clean your receiver at your own risk. How you'd know if it was OK without trying it is the problem. Maybe you can adjust the frequency to stop these hotspots
A google search should find more info on this for you.

Interesting what you say about surface marks on metal cleaned in an ultrasonic bath. I use a JPL ultrasonic bath for cleaning my brass as it cleans primer pockets with out scraping, which (scraping) ultimately contributes to enlarged primer pockets. I have however noticed some cases, probably less than 5 or 6 out of a 100 come out with very uniform annular rings around the case - usually a couple about .75mm wide. I always thought they were rolling round against the metal basket, but you got me thinking. A call to JPL might clarify.

[Pete]

I use a measuring cylinder containing enough white spirit to just cover the action, standing in the ultrasonic bath full of water.
About 15mins buzz completely removes all traces of grease and dirt. Rinse through after with a squirt of Toolstation disc brake cleaner for a quick dry..
Haven't seen any adverse effects on either blueing or stainless steels.
However, I wouldn't use ultrasonics with a water based cleaner in contact with the metal. That can cause surface erosion.

Pete

[Mattnall]

Found this;
http://www.zenith-ultrasonics.com/ultrasonic_damage.htm

May not be an issue with newer designed cleaners, but it is the damage I was talking about.

[The Gun Pimp]

As some of you may remember a while ago I posted a video on my RPA Quadlite that I filmed with an ebay borescope.

The amount of crap and rust inside the action in all the nooks and crannies was pretty horrific.



If I could get hold of an action Wrench for my rifle, would it be detrimental to stick the whole action inside an ultrasonic cleaning machine, and would it remove the rust and crud that seems to have accumulated from numerous wet shoots and bad past maintenance?

Has anyone done anything similar?

Any recommendations on cheap barrel vices or adapters for a normal heavy duty vice to hole the barrel without marking...?


Cheers,

TG

Why not take it to a certified Cerakoter? He'll remove the barrel and strip the action and bolt, sand blast it, clean it and Cerakote it in whatever colour you like and put it all back together. It'll look brand new!

[TattooedGun]

As some of you may remember a while ago I posted a video on my RPA Quadlite that I filmed with an ebay borescope.

The amount of crap and rust inside the action in all the nooks and crannies was pretty horrific.



If I could get hold of an action Wrench for my rifle, would it be detrimental to stick the whole action inside an ultrasonic cleaning machine, and would it remove the rust and crud that seems to have accumulated from numerous wet shoots and bad past maintenance?

Has anyone done anything similar?

Any recommendations on cheap barrel vices or adapters for a normal heavy duty vice to hole the barrel without marking...?


Cheers,

TG

Why not take it to a certified Cerakoter? He'll remove the barrel and strip the action and bolt, sand blast it, clean it and Cerakote it in whatever colour you like and put it all back together. It'll look brand new!

I was actually thinking along those lines. I'd rather have a go myself though, instead of cerakote I was thinking along the lines of anodising. Looking Into It.

[TattooedGun]

You look, you learn.

It would appear that anodising is most commonly used on aluminuim, and due to the added thickness of the finish, probably not best to try on a rifle action.

Cerakote, of course has been proven to work with rifle actions. Just looking into alternative finishes that don't add any dimensions to the finish, or as little as possible.

Something where the finish is altered as opposed to added to would be best, but that leaves, maybe blueing and not a lot else.

More Research Needed.

If I can get hold of an action wrench I might try it in the ultrasonic cleaner first and foremost, if it takes off the finish thats currently on the action, then it'll be plan B to see what I can replace the finish with...