<VV> VirtualVairs Digest, Vol 250 Parts Cleaning

[Grant]

After using different parts cleaners and solutions over the past 20 or so years for about 15,000 carbs and parts off them, I consider myself a bit of an expert in this area. My experience with the ultrasonic stuff has not been good. They are okay for small parts that are not very dirty (such as venturi clusters), but nothing serious, regardless of what is used in them. My go-to item for many years is a vibratory cleaner with small (1/4") styrene pyramid style media followed up with crushed nuts media to polish the parts and protect them from rusting. They are available from several sources and I am currently using ones from Frankford Arsenal that are designed for ammunition re-loaders. You can find them on eBay or directly from the FA website. (Usually cheaper on eBAy and you can get some barely used ones fairly cheap). They are about $50-$60 and last about 6-7 months in full time (24-7) usage. I have three running all the time. (2 cleaning and 1 polishing). Replacement bowls are about $10. (If a part gets stuck, it can cut a groove in the bowl). The small motors eventually give up. I get the media from Harbor Freight (at about $22 for 5 lbs) that will fill the bowl a couple of times and lasts a couple of months. (The pyramids wear in size and sharpness). The limitations are the size of the cleaning bowl and the requirement to use some water in the de-rusting media (which voids the warranty). They don't work well if run dry. I add a dash of lye to help with the rust and keep foaming down. It usually takes about 6-8 hours to de-carbon and de-rust and 3-4 hours to polish, so I usually just let them run overnight. Hope this helps, and you can drop me a note for more specifics.
Grant


Anyone out there used an ultrasonic parts cleaner for engine parts such as
the cylinder head combustion chamber? I'm trying to get the carbon off and
wonder if the Amazon priced units work. The McMaster-Carr unit is out of
my price range.
What about cleaning solutions? I've seen a mixture of Simple Green and
water recommended.
Thank you.