Thread: Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner

Hey guys this is my first post. I've been lurking for a month or two and am getting in to restoring straights as well as shaving with them. Honing and scale making came naturally as I am a woodworker among other skills and have an ample workshop with all I need. Not to mention been reading up a lot here in the forums.

My question is has anyone tried using an Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner to remove grime and other stuff on old razors that you're restoring?
If so how well do they work?
Will it take off tarnish and rust?
Just curious.
Thanks!

Ultrasonics are good at cleaning dirt and grime from hard to reach places. They are great for jewelry and for guns too and probably for other specialized applications. They won't remove rust or staining and I'm not sure I would trust it with the fine edge though I know someone said they used it and it was OK. It also depends what kind you use. They have these cheapie units which are designed for home jewelry cleaning and they have more industrial type units made for heavy duty applications.

I use one all the time. they will remove dirt usually, and sometimes rust, but almost never tarnish, in my experience.

I bought one for my wife. It was a home-use unit, but quite expensive and well recommended. she didn't get on with it, so I gave it a go for razors - it was really disappointing. I wish I had kept the money for something else. It removed minor grime - given enough time, which was a LOT of time! I really could do better with a cloth and some cleaner in 5 secs or so. I was hoping it would clean right down between the scales, but even after 3 or 4 twenty minute cycles the performance wasn't anything to write home about, and I still had to use a cloth afterwards?

Maybe I just got a bad one - YMMV!

Regards,
Neil.

Actually, there are solutions that will remove what you speak of.
There are nicer ultrasonic cleaners out there that are heated and can be used with chemicals versus less abrasive surfactants. Ultrasonic cleaners are really nice for removing carbon deposits on car cylinder heads with the use of heat. The home version of the heated cleaners run about $350 US.
However, this is more of an acid bath. Phosphoric acid. This is used on most ferrous metals for stripping rust, chrome and even tarnish. What this would do for a straight razor? I don't know.
For the most part an ultrasonic cleaner can remove a lot of things including rust and tarnish. It all depends on the surfactant you choose and whether or not it can be used in the ultrasonic cleaner you own. Most people that used harsh chemicals have metal baskets and some require no heat usage for reasons of ignition.
I used to use a ultrasonic cleaner to degrease my bicycle parts and I used Simple Green (even though the instructions said not to). Sadly, I had to sell it a couple of years ago.

I hope this might help you.

Thanks guys, I was considering buying one but it seems that no one has had any exceptional results to speak of. I think I'll stick to the good old elbow grease!

I know a way from the net that how to clean jewelry at home, maybe somebody can refer.
This saves money and is safe for you and the environment. The solution can be very drying to your hands so consider using rubber gloves or even tweezers to handle the jewelry. Hope this is a useful info. LOL
Ingredients
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon dish detergent
• 1 cup water
• 1 piece aluminum foil
Directions
1.
Heat water in the microwave for 1 or 2 minutes.
2.
Cut a piece of aluminum foil that roughly covers the bottom of a small bowl (like a cereal bowl).
3.
Pour hot water into bowl. Place salt, soda, and dishwashing liquid into bowl. Place jewelry on top of foil and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse jewelry in cool water and dry jewelry completely with soft cloth. Discard solution after use and make a new batch next time.
4.
According to wire-sculpture.com, "this works well for gold-filled, brass, german (nickel) silver, and sterling silver. I have even cleaned jewelry with freshwater pearls, shell cameos and mother of pearl with no problem.".

Luna, how does that solution work for razors? I would try it myself but I don't have any good razors to try it on. I like the idea of just letting it soak for a bit, sounds pretty convenient.

Hi, flampen. I know this from another forum about cleaning razors:
1. Scrubbing Bubbles for scum
2. 30 minute boil in plain water for internal scum (and critters)
3. Barbicide per instructions on bottle for critters
4. Shine with Maas and/or Brasso
5. Mineral oil soak to lube up internals
6. Rinse in hot water to get the mineral oil off the outside

Originally Posted by Luna01

Hi, flampen. I know this from another forum about cleaning razors:
1. Scrubbing Bubbles for scum
2. 30 minute boil in plain water for internal scum (and critters)
3. Barbicide per instructions on bottle for critters
4. Shine with Maas and/or Brasso
5. Mineral oil soak to lube up internals
6. Rinse in hot water to get the mineral oil off the outside

30 min boil? Internals? Is this a guide to clean a DE?
I'm not entirely sure if carbon razors' blades or scales would survive that...