Ultrasonic cleaner - best temperatures/times for cleaning brass cases

ZG47

AH fanatic
Joined
Jan 20, 2015
Messages
967
Reaction score
1,240
Location
Wellington, New Zealand
Member of
NZDA
Hunted
New Zealand
Hi Guys
I have purchased a 2.5 litre Ultrasonic cleaner at almost half price (40% off plus a loyalty reward voucher). It has a digital temperature control and I would like to obtain some advice, based on practical experience, as to suitable temperatures/times for cleaning brass cases.
I will probably start by cleaning a couple of ball pens that were messed up by leaky refills (takes me back to selling technical pens and pen-company-branded ultrasonic cleaners in the mid to late 1980s) so ... no rush to look through your notes. NB I can easily convert Fahrenheit readings to Celsius/Centigrade.

Cheers
 
I use Hornady sonic cleaner, the instruction manual states: "Most brass cartridges do not need heat to efficiently clean. Using the heating function during prolonged cleaning cycles may actually cause tarnishing to appear.".
 
I use Hornady sonic cleaner, the instruction manual states: "Most brass cartridges do not need heat to efficiently clean. Using the heating function during prolonged cleaning cycles may actually cause tarnishing to appear.".

Thanks, I suspected as much.
 
I have a Lyman ultrasonic. Lyman recommends warm water.

I typically just use water from the tap at whatever temperature it provides (never measured). My guess is the water is in the low 90’s (Fahrenheit)
 
Thank you Dave (and Opposite Pole). Somewhere in the tepid range would seem to be the maximum appropriate temp. I can try some old cases that I do not intend to reload and see what happens with cold and tepid water.
 
I use room temperature distilled water and Lyman's cleaning solution in an el cheapo I got off of ebay. I run them for thirty minutes and they are hot after about fifteen to twenty minutes anyway. Primer pockets have the most difficult residue to remove. After cleaning, I blow them out with compressed air.
 
I know this is an old thread but what do you guys issue as a cleaning solution. Cheers
 

Forum statistics

Threads
60,534
Messages
1,320,046
Members
111,783
Latest member
bj38store


Latest profile posts

Safari Dave wrote on GUN & TROPHY INSURANCE's profile.
I have been using a "Personal Property" rider on my State Farm homeowner's policy to cover guns when I travel with them.
I have several firearms, but only one is worth over $20K (A Heym double rifle).
Very interested.
Would firearms be covered for damage, as well as, complete loss?
I'll can let the State Farm rider cover my watches...
Behind the scenes of taking that perfect picture.....






WhatsApp Image 2025-04-23 at 09.58.07.jpeg
krokodil42 wrote on Jager Waffen74's profile.
Good Evening Evert One.
Would like to purchase 16 Ga 2.50 ammo !!
Rattler1 wrote on trperk1's profile.
trperk1, I bought the Kimber Caprivi 375 back in an earlier post. You attached a target with an impressive three rounds touching 100 yards. I took the 2x10 VX5 off and put a VX6 HD Gen 2 1x6x24 Duplex Firedot on the rifle. It's definitely a shooter curious what loads you used for the group. Loving this rifle so fun to shoot. Africa 2026 Mozambique. Buff and PG. Any info appreciated.
Ready for the hunt with HTK Safaris
Top