Cleaning magazine in ultrasonic cleaner?

[squirrelhunter]

Not sure if this is good idea or not.

Reckon putting a steel magazine through the ultrasonic cleaner is a good idea?

Would be good to be able to drop the whole thing in without disassembly and have it do the job.

Let it dry for a few days to be safe then good to go? Won't muck up the spring or anything?

Happy for better ideas if you've got em

[Baldrick314]

I'm no expert so take what I say with a grain of salt but I'd be careful doing this as I'd think moisture could get stuck in around the spring and could start the rusting process

[Shotfox]

Be careful cleaning the magazine in the sonic as some of the cleaning agents containg some levels of salt and we all know what that residue does to metal. There is home made soloution recipes avalable on you tube but again some contain salt. I tend to use tetra blaster spray for this job as well as the bolt.

[petemacsydney]

not recommended, it will degrade the spring, especially if its a stainless spring

[Seconds]

I'd be concerned with moisture too.

Going to be tough to dry it properly without disassembling it.

[bigfellascott]

I've never ever cleaned a mag before - never had too, why does yours need cleaning?

[Old Fart]

Air compressor to dry it out should do the job.

Can of compress spray from Dick Smith if you don't have a compressor.

After a swim like that I'd want some oil or something in their to prevent rust, which you've have to take it apart to do anyway...

[Gregg]

I'd give it a miss. More hassle than it's worth to avoid taking the mag apart. IMO...

Take it apart.

Scrub with Shellite.

Blast dry.

Oil cloth.

Shoot.

[squirrelhunter]

Thought I might be asking too much.

Just being lazy really

Shellite is the winner you reckon, hey?

[bigfellascott]

Not sure if this is good idea or not.

Reckon putting a steel magazine through the ultrasonic cleaner is a good idea?

Would be good to be able to drop the whole thing in without disassembly and have it do the job.

Let it dry for a few days to be safe then good to go? Won't muck up the spring or anything?

Happy for better ideas if you've got em

Why do you need to clean it?

[von_klitzing]

I personally wouldn't hesitate cleaning any metal item in an ultrasonic cleaner, as long as it is dried and lubricated afterwards. I used to work as a commercial dive technician offshore and would use the ultrasonic cleaner to clean all the divers diving equipment, SCUBA - rubbers, plastics, steel, and brass for 1st and second stage regulators, hoses, o-rings, springs, pins, valves etc... You name it.

The whole point of the US cleaner it to get to those places you can't see or reach. Mind you the media we used was couple hundred dollars per liter, BIOX from Divex, safe for breathing apparatus. Also, some vinegar based solutions can lift the chrome right off of brass!

I'd happily US clean ANYTHING, even my rifle bolts, as long as you dry it properly (compressed air - in a can if you don't have a water separator on your compressor). But, if you have your doubts, don't do it. No problems.

Here's an article that sheds a little light on US cleaning for SCUBA kit. If it can be used for breathing apparatus, it can be used for rifle parts. Hell, I'd even hazard a guess that instrument technicians probably use ultrasonic cleaners in their Oxygen safe/clean environments.

http://www.gmcscuba.com/pdf/ultrasonic% ... tfalls.pdf

[squirrelhunter]

Why do you need to clean it?

Just a bit of gunk has worked it's way in.

Dust and moisture.

[bigfellascott]

Thanks for that, wondered why you were wanting to give it a shampoo as such Is it interfering with the way it works or not, if not might be better to just leave it alone.

I can't say I've ever had to pull a mag apart or clean it (some are over 35yrs old now) so she's new territory to me.

let us know how it all goes.

[squirrelhunter]

Is it interfering with the way it works or not, if not might be better to just leave it alone.

Nah it's not interfering. Just don't want any rust pockets to build up or anything.

[squirrelhunter]

I personally wouldn't hesitate cleaning any metal item in an ultrasonic cleaner, as long as it is dried and lubricated afterwards. I used to work as a commercial dive technician offshore and would use the ultrasonic cleaner to clean all the divers diving equipment, SCUBA - rubbers, plastics, steel, and brass for 1st and second stage regulators, hoses, o-rings, springs, pins, valves etc... You name it.

Thanks Von.

I've been looking for an excuse for a compressor. Drying magazines might as well be it

[huccl]

They're not that expensive mate.

If it's just for blowing air and a few odd jobs, an Ozito one is $100 and have a replacement warranty. Get it from Bunnings.

Don't need to spend tonnes for a home/hobby one.

Do it