How to Use Ultrasonic Cleaner for Stripping the Paint Of?

An ultrasonic cleaner is basically a cleaning device that utilizes ultrasound waves/frequencies to clean various objects at home and in industries.

The very first ultrasonic cleaning device was introduced in the 1950s and was generally used for commercial purposes only. Later they were designed in much smaller sizes and now these machines are being used in every home to get professional cleaning results.

Irrespective of their small size they work on high power and have rugged transducers that are often found in industrial systems. Water along with a sonic cleaning solvent is used in these devices so that you can get professional cleaning results within a few minutes.

Can Ultrasonic Cleaner Strip Paint?

Ultrasonic cleaners can be safely used for removing old peeling paint and coatings from small-sized metal objects (like tools, miniatures, steel hardware, etc.) in homes as well as industries.

As a home painter or an artist, you can use the device to clean your paint spray guns, nozzles, sprayer airbrushes, paint brushes, metal miniatures, resin prints, or models with thick layers of paint deposited. But obviously, you cannot remove the paint from the walls or wood furniture using this machine.

How does it work?

The ultrasonic cleaner working principle includes the usage of cavitation (the microscopic bubbles) to blast away the old paint coating from the surface of items.

High-frequency sound waves in the tank create these bubbles which act like a sponge to clean away all the dirt, grime, oil, grease, paint particles, rust, and other contaminants on the surface.

Keep in mind that the capacity and the frequency range of the machine you need to choose for getting the job done will depend on the type of project and the size of the object from which you will need to remove the paint. Also, before using the machine you need to confirm that the objects to be stripped should withstand ultrasonic energy and waves.  

How to use the device?

Before you place your painted object in an ultrasonic paint-stripping device, it’s recommended to gently remove the loose paint deposits from the object using a soft cotton cloth. Then follow these steps:

1. Place the ultrasonic cleaning machine on a flat surface
2. Fill the tank with water and ultrasonic cleaning concentrate solution
3. Turn the machine on for about 10-15 minutes to mix and degas the solution
4. Now turn the machine off and place the parts (to be stripped) in the provided basket
5. Place the basket (with the parts) carefully in the solution and start the cleaning cycle for about 10-20 minutes
6. Examine the parts after the cleaning cycle is completed. If you are satisfied with the results rinse the object with plain tap water
7. At the end of the process allow the object to dry naturally in the air

If the paint layer is too heavy, you will see the particles skimming off and floating on the surface of the solution. Make sure you remove them slowly while the cleaning process is still on. Never put your hand (or fingers) inside the solution. Instead, use a pair of tweezers or a skimmer tool to safely remove the floating particles.

Additionally, having used your equipment it’s important that you drain and clean the unit completely.

• Unplug it and wipe down the exteriors using a clean rag.
• Drain out the solution and rinse the tank with clean water.
• Small portable units have a small bath from which the solution can be simply poured out.
• Larger units come with a drain tube and valve (present on the side or rear of the cleaner).
• Use it to dispose of the solution safely then let the unit dry naturally.

Never use any kind of spray or water to clean the control box or electrical components. Also, ensure that you dispose of the solution properly according to your local guidelines. The left-over solution should not be used for further cleaning of other objects as it will hinder the process.

Ultrasonic Solution to Use for Paint Stripping

If the object, from which you want to strip paint, includes fine details or crevices, getting the job done precisely is next to impossible by employing paint removal methods that use scrubbing steel wool or brushes.

The more complex the object is the more difficult it would be to remove the paint from it. This is where a sonic device that utilizes ultrasonic sound waves makes the paint-stripping task much easier.

When using an ultrasonic device for paint removal make sure you use a high-quality biodegradable ultrasonic paint stripping solution that can amplify the process and cleaning results.

De-ionized water works great in most cases if the old paint is already peeling but you can use something more efficient like simple green if the paint is tougher.

Many people recommend using paint thinner, mineral spirits, CLR, isopropyl alcohol (IPA), vinegar, gasoline, etc. as an ultrasonic cleaning fluid. But I don’t recommend using them in your ultrasonic machine as these can be flammable and can cause severe damage. If you don’t want to invest in ultrasonic solution or de-ionized water, simply use tap water that’s free of limescale or other minerals.

What about Frequency and Temperature Ranges?

Remember that the lower the operating frequency is, the stronger the cavitation action will be. And the higher the frequency is, the gentler the cleaning will be.

Since the intensity of cleaning and removing the paint from the metal surfaces without getting it damaged will depend on the frequency at which a device will operate for most paint stripping projects 37 kHz of frequency is what you will need.

If, however, the paint layers you want to remove are heavy, a lower frequency range of about 25 kHz should be employed.

Ultrasonic frequencies of about 45 kHz and more should be used if you want to remove the paint from polished surfaces or surfaces like aluminum and other softer metals.

When it comes to the heating feature, heated ultrasonic parts cleaner (that has an inbuilt heater) is most of the time preferred by users, as it helps in removing the paint faster.

In general, the most appropriate ultrasonic cleaner temperature range is between 50°C–70°C. However, it may vary or may be changed based on the type of material to be cleaned, the type of cleaning liquid that will be used, and the type of cleaning you need to do.

Often it is good to check the recommended cleaning temperature range mentioned on the container when you are using ultrasonic cleaning liquids. Most of these solutions work best when the temperature in the unit is high so the temperature range may go anywhere from 60°C-85°C.

To be on the safer side and avoid getting the items damaged I recommend performing a short cleaning test before proceeding with the full cleaning process. This test will help you determine if the selected temperature and cleaning duration are appropriate for the specific material and type of contamination you are dealing with.

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What Can I Clean with An Ultrasonic Machine – And What Not to Put?

An ultrasonic cleaner operates by generating high-frequency sound waves, typically ranging from 20–45 kHz. These waves agitate the cleaning solvent, creating cavitation and forming microscopic bubbles that collide vigorously with surfaces, effectively dislodging and removing contaminants such as old flaking paint layer, chrome coating, dirt, grime, etc.

Most of these modern-day automatic cleaners can be used for stripping items like metal tools, miniatures, antique coins, glass, ceramics, rubber, plastic, hinges, handles, brackets, airbrushes, tattoo machines, shaver heads, fountain pen nibs, utensils, dishes, etc.

You can also use these devices for cleaning:

• Old jewelry, watches, electronic parts like PCBs
• Musical instruments, vinyl records, LPs, printheads
• Denture, contact lenses, and other medical equipment
• Motor parts like the carburetor, bolts, bearings, fuel injectors, bike chains, etc.
• Guns, brass cases, fishing reels, paint fill from golf clubs, and other sports equipment

These systems are so versatile that they can also remove rust from a range of metals like iron, stainless steel, and even brass and titanium.

But be aware that when you want to clean aluminum materials with a mirror-like finish, it is recommended not to use these devices as they can make them lose their brilliance.

Ultrasonic stripping is also not recommended for painted wood, diamonds, pearls, gemstones, costume jewelry, handmade painted ivory, and tungsten jewelry as these can get damaged by powerful agitation created in the machine.

Leaving the materials for a long can also damage the material due to the adverse effects of chemicals and detergents.

Factors You Need to Consider Before Buying An Ultrasonic Paint Stripper

Choosing the right ultrasonic cleaner device for paint and rust removal is crucial, so when buying you should essentially know about the features of the machine you are opting for. These include:

1- Size – Based on their size, compactness, and portability to use there are two different categories of sonic cleaners available. These are mini tabletop units and industrial-grade heavy-duty ultrasonic cleaners.

The size of the unit should be decided by the dimensions of the largest part to be cleaned. Make sure that the items you want to clean will fit inside the tray of the ultrasonic cleaner you are choosing.

In case you only need to clean small pieces like your painted tools, miniature models, or any other items, you can go with a small size cleaner and there is no need to invest in large expensive devices.

2- Power– Ultrasonic cleaners operating on 30W to 50W models are less expensive. For household purposes, you may pick among these devices as it’s effective enough and consume less power. However, if you are planning to buy a paint dip-stripping machine for professional or industrial use, you may need to invest more as it requires purchasing a unit with a higher power.

3- Brand, cost, and warranty – Based on the reviews I found online, machines such as iSonic, Kendal, DK SONIC, Hornady, Lyman, Ivation, ProSonik, JPL, etc. are ideal for cleaning painted tools, equipment, and various other old metal surfaces. These come with features such as auto shut off, built-in heater, varied frequency range, degassing, etc.

Remember, as these cleaning devices come at various price ranges (maybe from $25 to $25,000), choose the one best suited to your budget and paint removal needs with a genuine warranty and after-sales service.

The Bottom Line

Compactly built, easy to operate, and loaded with advanced features – ultrasonic paint strippers can be a hassle-free way to remove the paint. Knowing about how these cleaning devices work and owning one, can change the way you clean your items and remove the paint coatings.

Regardless of the model you pick, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines provided in the instruction manual so that you can know about the ultrasonic cleaning cycle and timer settings that are provided in your machine. This way you can ensure that all your paint-stripping job is done with high accuracy.