Ultrasonic Gun Cleaning Systems

Discussion forums debate the pros and cons of ultrasonic gun cleaning. PhDs at the Tovatech e-commerce online marketplace iUltrasonic explain how periodic ultrasonic cleaning and lubrication exercises using top-rated gun-cleaning kits help preserve your investment in firearms.

The Complete Guide to Ultrasonics Gun Cleaning and Lubricating

There is no argument against the importance of using brushes, sprays, pads and lubricants to clean your firearm after each use. But these manual methods cannot remove contaminants in cracks, crevices, blind holes and other difficult-to-access areas. Allowing them to remain and build up over time will degrade the operation, and lower the value, of your firearm.

Ultrasonic vs. Manual Gun Cleaning

Topics on gun-cleaning discussion forms include the value of ultrasonic cleaning vs. manual methods, how completely should firearms be field-stripped/disassembled, what cleaning solution to use, and concerns about the process leaving surfaces subject to rust.

All are worthy considerations. The best way to address ultrasonic gun cleaning concerns is to lump them into a single solution: ultrasonic gun cleaning and lubricating kits designed specifically for the process. Ultrasonic gun cleaning kits are ideal for gun owners, public safety and first responder organizations, clubs, and collectors.

Ultrasonic Gun Cleaning/Lubricating Yields Superior Results

Across a broad range of industries, the power of ultrasonic energy is unsurpassed in removing tenacious contaminants from parts that can be safely immersed in a cleaning solution. In this illustration, the cleaning solution is specially formulated for firearms.

The process is called ultrasonic cavitation. It is caused by the implosion of billions of microscopic vacuum bubbles in the ultrasonic gun-cleaning solution. These powerful implosions loosen and carry away grease, powder residues, shavings and other contaminants from firearm components positioned in a basket suspended in the solution.

The same process applies to ultrasonic gun lubrication, but in this case the process removes aqueous residues, leaving a fine lubricating film on all surfaces.

Choosing an Ultrasonic Gun Cleaning Kit

For cleaning pistol components, we suggest the 1.06 gallon HCS-200 ultrasonic gun cleaning kit designed for two full size semi-automatic handguns or a 6-inch revolver.

This kit includes your ultrasonic gun cleaner, cleaning basket and cover along with a separate lubricating pan. Also shipped are two 8 oz. containers of weapon cleaner concentrate and a gallon of ready-to-use weapon lubricating solution.

After the cleaning cycle, firearm components are immersed in the gun lubricant pan, which is inserted into the cleaning solution tank. Ultrasonic energy passes through the lubricating pan to act on the lubricant.

This removes all traces of the aqueous cleaning solution, leaving a fine lubricating film. Remove excess lubricant from parts before reassembly.

Other Ultrasonic Cleaning Options for Firearms

A slightly larger option to the HCS system is the 1.6-gallon XPD360-6L ultrasonic firearm cleaning package. It contains a cleaning tray, basket, lubricating pan and lid, two brushes, a pair of disposable gloves and 1 gallon each of ultrasonic gun cleaning solution and gun lubricating solution.

Shooting clubs, first responder units and firearm retail/service firm should consider the professional XPD360-6L system. It consists of 2 ultrasonic cleaning units and baskets allowing you to clean in one unit and lubricate in the other. This offering includes a lubricating pan and lid, 2 cleaning trays, 2 brushes, a gallon of cleaning solution, 2 gallons of lubricating solution and a pair of disposable gloves.

The ultrasonic cleaners in the above two options are equipped with degas and sweep modes to speed cleaning solution preparation and promote uniform cleaning on all firearm surfaces. They are equipped with temperature controls, a timer and are backed by a two-year warranty.

For rifles and other long guns, a good choice is the 36-inch LE-3606 ultrasonic weapon cleaning system. Featuring a sweep mode to provide uniform cleaning action throughout the bath, this system includes a 7.5-gallon stainless steel heated ultrasonic cleaning tank with drain, lubricating pan, mesh basket and tank lid, 1 gallon of cleaning solution concentrate, and 2 gallons of lubricant.

This system features adjustable power to match cleaning loads, sweep for uniform cleaning, digital time and temperature controls, and investment-protection warranties.

5 Steps to Superior Ultrasonic Weapon Cleaning

Detailed cleaning and lubricating instructions are provided in the user manual shipped with the ultrasonic weapon cleaning equipment you purchase. But in brief:

1. Field Strip: Most people with experience in handling weapons understand that field-stripping and disassembling are part of the task of cleaning.

The same holds true for ultrasonic gun cleaning systems. The ultrasonic cleaner works at its best on these smaller parts, where the microscopic bubbles penetrate into the hard-to-reach holes, cracks and crevices that hand-cleaning methods miss.

2. Set Aside Wood or Ivory Parts: Cavitation action is highly effective at cleaning metal surfaces, but it can be too much for some non-metal parts. For example, components made of wood or ivory can warp, crack or be otherwise damaged by temperatures and agitation found within an ultrasonic cleaning bath.

3. Prepare the gun cleaning bath and run the cleaning cycle per instructions provided.

4. Prepare the lubricating bath and run it per instructions provided.

5. Maintenance: When the cleaning solution loses efficiency, it should be replaced with a fresh batch.  Dispose the spent solutions according to local regulations. 

Additional Reading for the Serious Gun Owner

The superb cleaning ability of ultrasonic energy finds other applications among gun owners, hunters and hobbyists. An example is found in our post on ultrasonic cleaning once-fired brass.

Where to Go for More Info on Ultrasonic Gun Cleaning Systems

For more information on ultrasonic cleaning, check our page for answers to frequently asked questions on the technology. And for help in selecting the correct ultrasonic gun cleaning and lubricating system for you or your organization, contact the experts at iUltrasonic.