School me on Ultrasonic Parts Cleaners

[WestyMeg]

Hi all!

I saw an ultrasonic cleaner referenced in another thread, and I'm intrigued! I'm hoping to tap into the hive wisdom of Samba! I was wondering a few things:

How well does it work on baked on gunk like oil?
Can it do plastic?
What size would you recommend for a multiple project car household?
Any recommended cleaner solutions?
Any brand recommendations? Or an approximate price range to shoot for?
Does it require more than household power or any other hookups?

Thinking this might be a nice anniversary present for the two of us.

Thanks in advance Volks folks!
_________________
Why is the rum gone?!

1968 Karmann Ghia-some fancy white
1985 Westfalia-some crap brown
1971 Opel GT-hubby's first car
1974 914-mostly rust colored
2007 Cayman S-Sapphire Blue (so pretty!)
2012 Golf R with lots of mods-some gunmetal grey
other stuff...

[Glenn]

It used ultrasonic vibration to loosen dirt.

You need to scrub off the hard baked on crud first.

Most use standard 120v.

Get one big enough to fit your parts in.

I use everything from soapy water to simple green to parts cleaner.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

[WestyMeg]

Sweet! Thanks for the answers. One last question, how long do they take in general? I assume it probably depends on how bad the gunk is, but not sure.
_________________
Why is the rum gone?!

1968 Karmann Ghia-some fancy white
1985 Westfalia-some crap brown
1971 Opel GT-hubby's first car
1974 914-mostly rust colored
2007 Cayman S-Sapphire Blue (so pretty!)
2012 Golf R with lots of mods-some gunmetal grey
other stuff...

[Glenn]

Depends.... on the material, how dirty and what liquid you are using.

I have a 2 liter which fits small parts like distributor and carb. If I use smaller parts I put them in a plastic container filled with cleaning liquid. I then put that in the ultrasonic cleaner and fill it with water. The vibrations will transmit through the container. This saves you from filling the entire tank with cleaner.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

[WestyMeg]

Thanks for the tip! I definitely think one of these is on my wishlist now.
_________________
Why is the rum gone?!

1968 Karmann Ghia-some fancy white
1985 Westfalia-some crap brown
1971 Opel GT-hubby's first car
1974 914-mostly rust colored
2007 Cayman S-Sapphire Blue (so pretty!)
2012 Golf R with lots of mods-some gunmetal grey
other stuff...

[Glenn]

I got a cheap one on ebay, it lasted a few years and then I replaced it with another.

$90
https://www.amazon.com/VEVOR-Commercial-Ultrasonic-Capacity-Solution/dp/B01HGNM5WE
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

[WestyMeg]

Thanks all!
_________________
Why is the rum gone?!

1968 Karmann Ghia-some fancy white
1985 Westfalia-some crap brown
1971 Opel GT-hubby's first car
1974 914-mostly rust colored
2007 Cayman S-Sapphire Blue (so pretty!)
2012 Golf R with lots of mods-some gunmetal grey
other stuff...

[67rustavenger]

I have a 10L ultrasonic cleaner. It can hold a single engine cylinder for post hone cleaning.

I use Pine-sol in my cleaning solution. Maybe a 1/4-1/2 cup for 10 liters.

A word of caution here. DON'T USE PURPLE POWER as your cleaning solution.
It will discolor aluminum and mag parts in short order.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[mouse action]

In a pinch I made one out of a bucket with a electric sander strapped to the bucket ,filled with C.L.R. ,,,ive been using it ever since.works great.

[mg50]

Before and after

_________________
1971 Super Beetle & 1971 Karmann Ghia

engine rebuild: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=775424&highlight=

[mg50]

When buying read carefully about the size of the basket as it will be smaller than given measurements of the unit. Worked great for my rocker assembly but found it to be too small for much else. Unless you are restoring carbs etc in which case get a bigger one. Previously had the one sold by HF and it died pretty fast. Units with a drain valve are handy for dumping and cleaning.
_________________
1971 Super Beetle & 1971 Karmann Ghia

engine rebuild: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=775424&highlight=