69NovaYenko Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 (edited) Is anyone using an ultrasonic cleaner to clean their airbrush. I`m looking for some advise on table top ultra sonic cleaners. My media of chose are lacquers and occasionally enamels. With the type of lacquers I use (automotive quality thinned accordingly) I have run lacquer thinner to clear brush. I am considering getting a small table top ultrasonic to help with cleaning and maintaining my three bushes. It was recommended that I get a unit that has a heated tank (SharperTek i.e.). The sales rep stated: "Just and warm tap water to the tank select the amount of time you wish and the system will ultrasonically remove the debris." I`ve even seen YouTube video where air brush artist are using them. However, the are working with water based media like acrylics, tempera etc. I aware that automotive quality lacquers and enamels require stronger solvents and thinners than the water based paints. Since the united is heated I do`nt want to run the risk of a fire or worst. So, if I don`t use some type of solvent will the unit will it thoroughly clean the residue from my airbrushes. And, if a need to use a solvent to get them truly clean does anyone have any recommendations of what is safe to use in an ultrasonic bath. I told the phone rep that I was using lacquers and enamels they suggested a product they carried that was supposedly designed to be used with heated ultrasonic cleaning applications called Shellac Buster. I have provided the advertised product uses below. My question is will a solvent of this nature harm the Teflon seal or rubber O-rings in the guns.Engine & Carburetor Shellac RemovalVarnish RemovalCarbon RemovalAuto RestorationCylinder StrippingAdhesive RemovalTank CleaningDegreasing & Rust RemovalCoatings RemovalAircraft StrippingE-Coat RemovalPaint OversprayPaint RemovalPowder Coat RemovalResin Removal In conclusion is it worth the expenditure and if so, does anyone have any recommendation on a specific unit I should consider for the tack. Any thoughts on this are appropriated. Edited November 21, 2015 by 69NovaYenko Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deathgoblin Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 I used to use one to clean parts for office equipment, especially the ink from printer heads and tech pens. We always ran alcohol through it. Didn't seem to hurt anything on those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kit Basher Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 If this helps you, I had a carburetor ultrasonically cleaned, and I had to remove all plastic or rubber parts first. They said the cleaner would destroy them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisBcritter Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 I was thinking about these machines as well, but as a way to improve the performance of the purple stuff on stripping paint. Trouble is they seem to be too small to immerse a car body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
69NovaYenko Posted November 21, 2015 Author Share Posted November 21, 2015 Thanks everyone for the responses tot he question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 I use my ultrasonic cleaner with lacquer thinner to clean airbrush parts, works well. I have the large tank model that Harbor Freight sells, unheated tank. I'd be a little bit careful using a heated tank with volatile liquids, don't want anywhere near the flash point or vapor point. I use windex for acrylics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
69NovaYenko Posted November 23, 2015 Author Share Posted November 23, 2015 Hi SkipYou use lacquer thin in the non-heated unit. I as well run both lacquer and acrylic though my gun. Would you mind sharing what model ultrasonic unit have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 http://t.harborfreight.com/25-liter-ultrasonic-cleaner-95563.htmlHarbor Freight, it's the larger of the two that they sell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1930fordpickup Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 I was thinking about these machines as well, but as a way to improve the performance of the purple stuff on stripping paint. Trouble is they seem to be too small to immerse a car body.So I am not alone with this thought. The one mentioned above is 2.5 liter. I wonder if it would foam up, or do they not shake that much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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