Looking to pick up an ultrasonic cleaner mostly for keep drivetrain sparkly clean and to clean chains when its time to wax. I don't have any experience with them and am looking for guidance. What model do you like for working with bike parts? Not trying to destroy my budget buying one, but I'd rather buy a full featured one (if there is such a thing?) the first time and avoid the desire to upgrade later. Let's talk about what you like and don't like about your ultrasonic cleaner.
ianick
Best ultrasonic cleaner
A big one. It starts with chains, then cassettes, and soon you're dropping in cranksets. I bought a 30L model for $200 that's served me well for five years.
I do think, though, for items that can be removed and don't have a weak surface finish, a pressure washer is much faster. And you don't have to dispose of dirty cleaning solution. I also have a professional steamer that's useful for crevices on parts I don't want to remove, but it's definitely third-tier behind the other two.
I do think, though, for items that can be removed and don't have a weak surface finish, a pressure washer is much faster. And you don't have to dispose of dirty cleaning solution. I also have a professional steamer that's useful for crevices on parts I don't want to remove, but it's definitely third-tier behind the other two.
Vevor has a whole line of well priced ultrasonic cleaners. Buy the biggest one you can afford.
By the way, I've found Vevor stuff to be well priced and reliable.
Amazon.com: VEVOR 2L Digital Ultrasonic Parts Cleaner with Timer 40kHz Professional 304 Stainless Steel Ultrasonic Cleaner 110V for Jewelry Watch Glasses Diamond Eyeglass Small Parts Cleaning : Industrial & Scientific
Amazon.com: VEVOR 2L Digital Ultrasonic Parts Cleaner with Timer 40kHz Professional 304 Stainless Steel Ultrasonic Cleaner 110V for Jewelry Watch Glasses Diamond Eyeglass Small Parts Cleaning : Industrial & Scientific
www.amazon.com
By the way, I've found Vevor stuff to be well priced and reliable.
Attended YouTube university last night doing some research. There does appear to be a problem with aluminum when using a strong de-greaser or cleaning agent. Has anyone had problems with Sram 12 speed cassettes? Chain, chainring and cassette would be 90% or more of the perspective usage. I hate to ruin the largest cog or strip off the anti-friction coating.
Watching the Silca review of ultrasonic cleaners the one they recommend is looking pretty good:
Watching the Silca review of ultrasonic cleaners the one they recommend is looking pretty good:
you really don't need to waste time once the chain is clean the first time and waxed already, boiling water and a wiping with a paper towel is all you need
I agree mostly. I’ve gotten the chain pretty muddy after waxing a few times and the ultrasonic cleaner would likely be quicker than boiling a pot of water. And the initial cleaning of a new chain is a real pita!
@Cleared2land care to share your favorite aluminum cleaning agent?
@Cleared2land care to share your favorite aluminum cleaning agent?
Cleaning agents
I can't say there is a favorite. It's a case by case depending on the cleaning requirement and if you have the opportunity to pre-soak. Some things just hot water and dish soap, others grime covered items, I might use mineral spirits. Grimy stuff generally gets pre-soaked and brushed prior the ultrasonic. This is usually only with automotive cleaning, not an issue with bike stuff.
I only use smaller metal or glass containers for the actual cleaning agent. No plastic if it can be avoided because it inhibits sound transmission. It still works, just might take longer. I have done the plastic bag thing, but several bag failures from vibration chafe eliminated that option for me.
I start with warm water in cleaner vat so it comes up to temp faster.
Muddy chains...
water hose is about all that I use.
I can't say there is a favorite. It's a case by case depending on the cleaning requirement and if you have the opportunity to pre-soak. Some things just hot water and dish soap, others grime covered items, I might use mineral spirits. Grimy stuff generally gets pre-soaked and brushed prior the ultrasonic. This is usually only with automotive cleaning, not an issue with bike stuff.
I only use smaller metal or glass containers for the actual cleaning agent. No plastic if it can be avoided because it inhibits sound transmission. It still works, just might take longer. I have done the plastic bag thing, but several bag failures from vibration chafe eliminated that option for me.
I start with warm water in cleaner vat so it comes up to temp faster.
Muddy chains...
water hose is about all that I use.
For ultrasonics you want it to be heated and have a degassing feature. You also don’t want a massive one. Get one just slightly larger than the largest part you plan to clean. If you get a bigger one it’s more fluid to heat and more fluid to replace. You can also put smaller parts in bags and or containers in there while the larger parts are in the main portion.
I have a Vevor (sp?) and it seems fine. I think a lot depends on your cleaning agent and how long the muck has been on. My completely amateur impression is that recent muck will come off easier than the crap that's been on parts for years and baked in summer after summer. I've tried to clean stuff from the local coop that just won't clean. I also basically only use dish soap and SimpleGreen. I know others use more serious chemicals. Also, let the water heat up first.
BTW if you just need boiling water, an electric kettle is very cheap and much faster.
BTW if you just need boiling water, an electric kettle is very cheap and much faster.
I've been using an ultrasonic cleaner for 20 years to clean parts. I have a Branson and it has performed as expected. I have heat function options with definitely makes cleaning grungy parts easier.
I bought one a year ago for a motorbike project that needed carb cleaning which is on hold so I never used it.
Did not think about using it for bicycle stuff so it is an interesting topic to me.
Did not think about using it for bicycle stuff so it is an interesting topic to me.
My primary bike use is chains, but numerous bike widgets find there way there on occasion. We have a house of bikes to maintain and it does a great job of providing a useful service.
It absolutely removes everything. All contaminates, grit and residual lubricants.
That's the beauty of it!
That's the beauty of it!
Apologies for the delay, on spring break with the family. I have not purchased one yet, but will be placing an order when I get back from vacation. The DK model from the Silca video is tops on my list right now. The 10 liter model appears to have a large enough basket for a sram 12 speed cassette. Can’t think of anything larger that can’t be broken down into smaller pieces. Thanks everyone for the discussion, it’s been very educational.
Head's up caution...
Cranks and cassettes can be subjectable to paint or anodizing damage. I had a riding buddy use mine to clean his black cassette and it was silver when it finished. Parts cleaner does the job well for those kind of parts and components.
My 6L is big enough for all that I do. I have no need to do a crank in an ultrasonic. Easy to clean. That's a lot of cleaning agent.
Cranks and cassettes can be subjectable to paint or anodizing damage. I had a riding buddy use mine to clean his black cassette and it was silver when it finished. Parts cleaner does the job well for those kind of parts and components.
My 6L is big enough for all that I do. I have no need to do a crank in an ultrasonic. Easy to clean. That's a lot of cleaning agent.
I have done the plastic bag thing, but several bag failures from vibration chafe eliminated that option for me. I only use smaller metal or glass containers for the actual cleaning agent. No plastic if it can be avoided because it inhibits sound transmission. It still works, just might take longer.
Another point of consideration...
I'm spending time to provide a superior cleaning to whatever widget that I choose to place in my ultrasonic. I do NOT want the widget that I am cleaning to bath in it's own contaminates. That is a downside of bagging. You can't easily separate the widget being cleaned from from the settling widgets own contaminates.
I can separate my objects being cleaned from the contaminate sediment. That's a big plus.
I'm spending time to provide a superior cleaning to whatever widget that I choose to place in my ultrasonic. I do NOT want the widget that I am cleaning to bath in it's own contaminates. That is a downside of bagging. You can't easily separate the widget being cleaned from from the settling widgets own contaminates.
I can separate my objects being cleaned from the contaminate sediment. That's a big plus.
Sorry for re-opening of an older thread. Has anyone had luck with Vevor cleaners on Amazon recently? My 1st 6l unit arrived dirty, dinged up, scratched and very stained, showing obvious signs of extensive prior use. I returned it and the second unit looks much better, but the heater does not work. I've seen some complains on the interwebs that other people had them delivered without the heating element. Is this brand another scam?
More amazon then cleaner related.
When I ordered an instant pot I got a box of mixed stuff that were never even part of an instant pot.
Looked more like someone finally cleaned underneath the warehouse shelves after decades.
Instead of going into the waste bin all the random bits and pieces accumulated over time were thrown in a box and send it my way.
When I ordered an instant pot I got a box of mixed stuff that were never even part of an instant pot.
Looked more like someone finally cleaned underneath the warehouse shelves after decades.
Instead of going into the waste bin all the random bits and pieces accumulated over time were thrown in a box and send it my way.
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