Ultrasonic Cleaner Review

[twopounder]

I'm making a different thread for this to build up a bit on my recent experience using an ultrasonic cleaner for paint stripping. I didn't want to derail the other thread.

 

I just purchased a Chicago Electric cleaner from Harbor Freight today. It holds 600ml  (about a pint) of fluid and comes with a little tray for the cleaning items.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/GunMonkey/Space%20Marines/IMG_20131228_091750_804_zps9beac272.jpg

 

The good: It's cheap, at only $33 (20 quid).

 

 

The Bad: It has a pre-programmed 3 minute cycle and heats up while plugged in, even when not in use.

 

I took a selection of models that needed to be stripped down, including 1 pewter model with basing material,. several plastic models from 2nd edition with very thick paint jobs, one assault marine that was almost nothing but primer, and a marine I had previously stripped using 92% Isopropyl Alcohol and a toothbrush.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/GunMonkey/Space%20Marines/IMG_20131228_070525_728_zps3ec25acf.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/GunMonkey/Space%20Marines/IMG_20131228_070512_768_zpseefc6959.jpg

 

The second ed models were the first I ever painted and I did so over the top of an existing paint job (they were originally blood angels).

 

The first solvent I tried was simple green.

 

I tried running the cleaning cycles right away. After about 5 rounds (15 minutes) not much was happening. I let them soak for an additional 15 minutes and tried again for another 10 cleaning cycles before scrubbing them off with a brush.

 

The results were not impressive:

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/GunMonkey/Space%20Marines/IMG_20131228_101745_902_zpsd2fded5c.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/GunMonkey/Space%20Marines/IMG_20131228_101756_125_zpsdf724187.jpg

 

I had to scrub pretty hard to clean off those patches. 

 

Next up, I put in a 70% Isopropyl Alcohol solution

 

DISCLAIMER: Isopropyl Alcohol is extremely toxic and highly flammable! Don't use it unless you know what you're doing!

 

I started by soaking the models for about 30 minutes, then ran through about 5 cleaning cycles for a total of 45 minutes in the solution.

 

I could see the paint start to come off the models during the first cycle:

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/GunMonkey/Space%20Marines/IMG_20131228_111107_351_zps786ba6d5.jpg

 

Sadly, despite the 5 cycles, not much of an impact was made, though it was better than the simple green:

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/GunMonkey/Space%20Marines/IMG_20131228_114639_033_zps7abd14d9.jpg

 

 

 http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/GunMonkey/Space%20Marines/IMG_20131228_114631_409_zps5b18031e.jpg

 

More paint came off overall, but I've had more luck soaking them for a couple of hours and attacking with a toothbrush. The basing material and PVC glue did come off in the cleaner and required no scrubbing at all, which is nice. That in itself might be worth your time depending on how many fully based models you intend to strip.

 

Some things to note if you wish to take this route:

 

• The cleaner favors whatever side is facing the bottom (where the bubbles originate from). If you can find a way to hang the model so that it is upside down in the tank, it will probably work a little better.
• You don't want a lot of models in the tank at once. The models at the bottom will absorb all of the cleaning power.
• It's still a good idea to let the models soak before running cleaning cycles.
• I'd invest in a higher price and larger model with a removable solution container. Cleaning these out is a pain.
• Try to get a cleaner that can run for at least 30 minutes at a time.

 

Overall, there is some potential here. I'm not sure if my cleaner is just cheap junk and doesn't clean well, or if you just shouldn't expect miracles. Maybe some other people will post their findings and reviews as well for a better survey of cleaners.

[Kastor Krieg]

Mine runs in 180s (3 minute) cycles. Your problem is a weak solvent, not the ultrasound cleaner itself. I used 96% isopropylene alcohol and after 3 cycles the minis needed only a soft brush off with a cheap "hard" toothbrush. You also want the solution on the brush and don't want to wash the minis in water first after taking them out - only after a larger amount of paint comes off. Sometimes it's best to do a cycle, take a mini out, brush off the paint that comes off easily, put it in for another cycle, repeat until result is satisfactory.

 

The paint and primer used are also a factor, just as well as how much time has passed since the mini was painter. If it was 3-4+ years ago, expect more resistance from the paint. Some non-GW paints just did not want to come off either, especially Army Painter primer which is very aggressive on the plastic.

[twopounder]

Mine runs in 180s (3 minute) cycles. Your problem is a weak solvent, not the ultrasound cleaner itself. I used 96% isopropylene alcohol and after 3 cycles the minis needed only a soft brush off with a cheap "hard" toothbrush. You also want the solution on the brush and don't want to wash the minis in water first after taking them out - only after a larger amount of paint comes off. Sometimes it's best to do a cycle, take a mini out, brush off the paint that comes off easily, put it in for another cycle, repeat until result is satisfactory.

 

The paint and primer used are also a factor, just as well as how much time has passed since the mini was painter. If it was 3-4+ years ago, expect more resistance from the paint. Some non-GW paints just did not want to come off either, especially Army Painter primer which is very aggressive on the plastic.

 

Normally I have 90+% on hand, but today I only had 70% in the cupboard. After letting them soak a bit longer, the paint is starting to come off. I may do another few cycles in a while and see what the outcome is.

[twopounder]

Alright, I went down to the drug store and picked up a couple bottles of 91% Isopropyl Alcohol for further testing. I normally use this to hand scrub the models (soak for around an hour then scrub). This yields about 70% removal of paint.

 

With the ultrasonic cleaner, it was more around 90 - 95%

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/GunMonkey/IMG_20140101_161806_247_zpse321cf24.jpg

 

It still has trouble with primer, and some light scrubbing is necessary, but it's much more efficient at overall removal of material.