Problem with ultrasonic cleaner and citranox

[ronas]

I can not get the inside of cases clean with ultrasonic cleaner, with heater, using Citranox. I use 20 ml with 1 liter of water. Outside of cases clean very quickly.

Cases are 5.56 fired 4x and 308 cases fired 7x.

Higher concentration of Citranox does not seem like a good idea.

Anyone else have this problem or have any suggestions other than clean inside with a q-tip. The q-tip will get the residue out but what a time consuming pain. Tried wire bore brush but no real success, still had to use q-tip.

 

[memilanuk]

Re: Problem with ultrasonic cleaner and citranox

The only thing I found that got the cases completely clean, inside and out, at both ends (case neck and primer pocket) besides *time* was fiddling with the liquid level in the tank and in the container (assuming you are using distilled water in the tank and the citranox solution in a suspended container) and then 'tuning' the suspended height of the container to maximize the agitation inside the container. I have one of the better 'name brand' ultrasonic cleaners with a factory lid pre-fit to suspend two 600 ml beakers in the tank, and using some snug fitting O-rings I can adjust the height just so to get the effect I want.

Still slow and tedious, with serious limits on the number of cases you can do at a time (larger amounts of brass seems to soak up the US energy - smaller batches get done cleaner faster). I could do about 10-15 at a time - 30 minutes in solution in one container, 30 minutes in clean distilled water in the other container (total of 20-30 pcs in the tank at a time) and have them come out *very* clean....

...which is why I switched over (for the most part) to wet tumbling w/ SS pins). I kept the US cleaner for cleaning parts and small batches that weren't worth throwing in the tumbler for a couple hours.

YMMV,

Monte

 

[Gene Poole]

Re: Problem with ultrasonic cleaner and citranox

With that much debris in the cases, it may take several cycles. Are you rinsing between cycles and using fresh solution? Are the cases completely submerged so flow into and out of the neck is achieved? If it's loose enough to be removed by a Q-Tip, then it should break free easily in the ultrasonic bath.

 

[ronas]

Re: Problem with ultrasonic cleaner and citranox

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">With that much debris in the cases, it may take several cycles.</div></div>

I only did two cycles. I did rinse and use new solution.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Are the cases completely submerged so flow into and out of the neck is achieved?</div></div>

Yes. I would also say that I did not notice much change in solution color after second cycle with new solution. Solution was black after first cycle.

My cleaner is heated too.

 

[Jeffvn]

Re: Problem with ultrasonic cleaner and citranox

I use ctirnox as my cleaner. I do my cases in 2 cycles - one does a good job, but 2 gets them exceptionally clean. I do not change the solution, just hit the start button again. I het the solution to 35-50 degrees "C." Not exactly certain of the solution ratio - one tablespoon in a 1 liter bottle.

When its run its course, I pour the warm black nasty water down the drain. Rinsing consists of dropping the clean into a bucket of clean tap water sloshing around a bit and then placing on a drip rack.

JeffVN

 

[mkollman74]

Re: Problem with ultrasonic cleaner and citranox

I use the Thumler's Tumbler with SS pins for my cleaning, now (and love this setup) but you may want to try soaking your brass in hot (not boiling) water with Simple Green and Dawn before placing in your US unit. It worked for me. Just place it in and let it soak. Then quickly rinse with hot tap water to get rid of most of the crud, and then use your US solution.

As I said, I am now using the SS wet tumble method, and use my US for getting the Imperial sizing wax cleaned off.

 

[Gene Poole]

Re: Problem with ultrasonic cleaner and citranox

Personally, I'd stay away from the <span style="font-style: italic">Simple Green</span>. It is made with amine surfactants and although I don't know how this affects the metallurgy of brass in rifle use, it is a no no in industrial high-pressure brass piping and fittings because of stress corrosion and cracking. It may be safe for rifle cases since the amines are (hopefully) all rinsed off before the brass sees any real heat and pressure.

 

[Oneteam]

Re: Problem with ultrasonic cleaner and citranox

You could try lemi shine as well, it works well in my ss media.