Can someone point me to an ultrasonic cleaner that works for paint brushes? I know there have been links posted here before but I don't imagine they are good anymore. Do you immerse the entire brush in the cleaner, or just the bristle portion. Will it work to clean out the ferrules of built up acrylic or oils? How long does it take to wash brushes? Thanks in advance!
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
[ November 14, 2014, 10:54 AM: Message edited by: Ricardo Davila ]
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
HERE ARE FOUR LINKS WHICH MIGHT HELP....GOOD LUCK!
[ November 13, 2014, 10:30 PM: Message edited by: Ricardo Davila ]
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
This is a question that would be best answered by Joey....
He promoted ultrasonic units a LONG time back.
Posted by Duncan Wilkie (Member # 132) on :
I bought one of these some time ago but I forgot where I put it. I want to try it out on spray gun parts. I gotta have a look for it tomorrow. Prolab is in Ottawa. Prolab catalogue page
[ November 13, 2014, 11:16 PM: Message edited by: Duncan Wilkie ]
Posted by Duncan Wilkie (Member # 132) on :
I also purchase containers from Prolab, these specimen containers (bottom left) are great for storing water base or solvent based paints. Over time, the solvent based paints tend to distort the plastic a bit, but I've never had a leak. Containers For small amounts of touch up paint for installations or for customers, The specimen containers at the top left are great . They have a tight fitting lid and are ridged and very durable. The medicine cups at the lower left are good to have when you are working with a small bit of paint. Other containers
[ November 13, 2014, 11:38 PM: Message edited by: Duncan Wilkie ]
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
Kelly, First off, get an ultrasonic with a stainless steel tub which holds around two quarts of whatever solvent and it must have a timer. Do not get an ultrasonic which has a heater, as the Ultra Sonic will make it's own heat if on too long.. Secondly, any brush will be cleaned in 3 minutes or less with the timer set. I normally use the same solvent for at least a week. On a daily basis after work I just throw the brushes I used into the ultrasonic using mineral spirits around two inches high in the tub..
Before I even use my Ultra Sonic I clean the paint from brush using some solvent in a sardine can or tall small bottle, just to clean most of the paint from the brush.. I then put it in the tub flat at 3 minutes, after which I lay the blush flat on either a paper towel or a cotton one which will absorb the solvent and the brush can be patted down..
I also have a thingie I made to hang the brushes over the U.S. when I fill the tub with enough solvent to submerge all the hair to the top of the ferrule, this will clean the hair as well as empty the ferrule of all paint sediment in 3 minutes
The Ultra Sonic is really a simple way to clean your brushes as well as most all your tools, airbrush or whatever..
I have brought brushes back to life using an Ultra Sonic as well straightening out the brush hair using a clothes iron on steam by ironing the brush between a cotton towel...
I can basically answer any question in regards to saving your brushes and tools from early retirement.. The Ultra Sonic is simply a great mechanism which is used in many situations, whether jewelry cleaning, quick sterilization in hospitals or cleaning just about anything
[ November 14, 2014, 08:53 AM: Message edited by: Joey Madden ]
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Thanks Joey for the excellent information. I plan on getting one to clean my calligraphy pens.
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
So am I to understand you can just hang the brushes in the cleaner and run the unit? Is immersing the brushes in solvent or water and running the unit not hard on the paint on the handles?
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
So does this look like a good unit for what I want? Can you set a second smaller container in the basket containing solvents or cleaner and fill the larger unit with water to save on cleaning?
Posted by Dale Manor (Member # 4858) on :
HI Kelly,
I have the exact unit you have shown there....it does work really well. I used it to clean the airbrush that plugged up tight at our mural event last summer. Haven't used it much for brushes yet because I need to fabricate a hanger to suspend the brushes in the solution (water or solvent). mostly have just used water in mine so far. Down here we can get the one you have pictured at Harbor Freight for around $85. Good luck!
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
Thanks everyone, I think I'll order the one you have Dale. I have an idea in mind for a brush holder using a swing out kitchen towel rack and a long spring that I can just swing out from the wall and suspend the brushes from. Posted by Jane Diaz (Member # 595) on :
For smaller brushes, Bill takes a large green scrubber pad like you get for your sink (or body shops also use them), puts the brush through that and that sort of supports it in the liquid. The pad covers the whole top of the unit and the brush just sort of hangs there in the solution.
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
The "Davila Search Engine" at work again...the guy is simply amazing...great work Ricardo...we really do appreciate all the effort you put forth to help others out. Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Duncan, I had bought what looks exactly like the mini in the ProLab catalog. Total piece of junk. It didn't even clean the dirt in my watch band. I tried it on brushes with solvent and it didn't do a thing after soaking for several days and running it through numerous cycles. The more expensive high powered one shown may do much better.
I saw a video of this stuff a while back. http://www.amazon.com/General-Pencil-Company-Masters-Preserver/dp/B0009RRT9Y/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_img_2 It actually does clean out old dried alkyd paint but it takes time to get the job done. You put a drop of water in the can and rub the brush in it, work it around for a while in your hand, rinse and repeat, and repeat and repeat till clean. The guy in the video brought a totally stiff brush back to life. Sounds form the reviews that it is a must for acrylics and especially for synthetic brushes. I would try it on on old natural bristle brush that you're not to worried about losing before using it on real good brushes. I'll do a review once I've tried it myself.
Posted by DianeBalch (Member # 1301) on :
Micky Boone used to clean his brushes in Rapid remover, in his ultra sonic cleaner. It will take the paint off the brush handle. he used to lay them down, for a few minutes. I know he would get most of the paint off before putting them in. I do use Rapid remover for cleaning.
Diane
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
Just go to ebay and type in ultrasonic cleaner and you will find 2 liter sizes for under 100. with free shipping... Many are made in the U.S.A. all have stainless steel tubs and heaters which can and should be disconnected..
Simple as that
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
Not quite that simple in Canada, free shipping is usually only for in the States, except for stuff made in China/Taiwan etc. The big whammy is brokerage/custom fees which can actually add up 50% to the item by the time all is said and done. If you can get it shipped through Canada Post it is a lot less costly, but I have been burned trying to save money by buying across the border too often. If I lived closer to the border I could just clear it myself, and then it might be worthwhile, but I don't mind paying a bit more to keep the money here in any case.
Posted by Bob Kaschak (Member # 3146) on :
Hi Kelly,
Here is a photo of the ultrasonic cleaner I have.
It is made by L & R. They are not inexpensive, but they work well.
I have seen some inexpensive plastic ultrasonic cleaners that did not work very well and would barely vibrate the water/solvent.
In this photo, you can see the ripples in the water.
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
I made AJ hanger like the one above that spanned a can containing solvent. In he bottom of the can are some pebbles for ballast and I fill the ultra sonic with water surrounding the can. Works the same, less solvent.
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
Bob Kaschak, I believe I have the same one as you and have used it for the past 30 years... This is my second unit since I've started using them around 1975..
Posted by Gary Boros (Member # 8487) on :
Joey, why are you insistent that you should not use a heater with these cleaners? Does it get too hot and damage the brushes? Wouldn't the heater be advantageous if you used the cleaner for other purposes? I've never used one of these so I'm not sure how they perform.
I also noticed that some of the ones that are supposedly made in the US do not come with baskets, is the basket a necessary or useful item, couldn't you just drop something into the bottom of the pan?
I'm assuming from the dialogue here that you can put any type of liquid in the pan, solvent, water, etc.. Is that correct, you can put your paint brushes in solvent one day and then wash it out and put your dentures in water the next?
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
An Ultrasonic will make it's own heat without the heater part. Heat will destroy the shape of the brush if left too long. That's why I say, 3 minutes in the tub will clean your brush thoroughly.
Heat isn't necessary unless it's used in sterilization, do you need to sterilize your tools?
Some people use baskets, some don't. Baskets are fine for small parts when a heater is used, don't want to burn your fingers in hot water, do ya?
Some fill the tub with water and use a smaller tub inserted in the water with solvents... I never got that and still don't..
You can use any solvent in the tub as long as it's stainless steel and not plastic.
Yet, heaters heat and solvents do not like heat and yes you can put solvent in a 2nd tub to somewhat clean your tools and water in the primary tub to clean your dentures and at the same time too...
Anything else?
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Yeah, what's the brand name on your unit Joey so I don't buy another clunker.
One thing I'd like to use it for is cleaning my watch band. Working around wood and HDU dust really gets them dirty. Ultrasonic cleaners get the dirt out of the crevices I'm told. One I looked at a while back had a watch holder where it submerged the band but kept the watch above the water line.
Posted by Bill Diaz (Member # 2549) on :
Don't try cleaning your eyeglasses off in one though ...
Posted by Jane Diaz (Member # 595) on :
Ask him how he knows that is a bad thing.... Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
We have a "cheapie" $40 ultrasonic cleaner that we use for Shirl's jewelry and our eyeglasses. No heater and we just use water with a bit of vinegar. It works great for that purpose.
I can't imagine that Bill would try putting eyeglasses, especially if they had plastic frames or lenses, into a high powered cleaner with solvent????? Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
You know I spoke about these probably 15 years back here in Letterville before the name change and only this week, persons showed interest...
Dave, mine has no name on the front yet, if it does show a name, when I get to my shop I will post it..
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Joey....It was your mention of them that prompted me to buy one 10-12 years ago.
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
Ditto, Dave!
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Same here, but I bought one that didn't work well at all.
Jane, did Bill remember to take his glasses OFF before he put it in the ultrasonic cleaner?????
Posted by Bill Diaz (Member # 2549) on :
Yeah the glasses thing wasn't a good idea, I was gonna put them in for just a minute and the phone rang or something ... oh well (hahahha!!!) I must have been overwhelmed by fumes and such.......
Actually I'm not overly impressed with mine which is surely not the best, and I think it is one for jewelry. I use Rapid Remover and have shied away from mineral spirits, because the initial instructions said use water. I was only using it for waterbased paints with water until somebody said they used Rapid Remover. I didn't want to put squirrel hair in water. Mine does have a heater which I always use.
But by golly, if Joey says mineral spirits works in the dang thing, then that's what I'll try. I'm also gonna try no heat.
That's a good trick with the clothes pins.
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
So, what happened to the glasses? The one I ordered came and I've put a few misused/neglected brushes through it. It has helped, but not as much as I hoped. It doesn't seem to have the ripples that Bob's does. I'll try using it with RR and see if that helps.
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
I found Rapid Remover to dry out the hairs, I figured it's the Lemonine, so I don't use it any longer...
I use mineral spirits when using sign enamels because it doesn't do that..
When I use HOK paints, I first use the 3 bottle cleaning method than hang the brush in the ultrasonic for a minute and less than two to further clean the ferrule..
[ November 22, 2014, 04:07 PM: Message edited by: Joey Madden ]
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
the glasses cracked, Kelly, and they where plastic.
My friend is our Optometrist and they've always pushed plastic. Every time I go there they push plastic and some sort of coating. They told me the plastic was lighter, it can take acetone and nobody uses plastic. But I must be unusually hard on them because they always scratch and then you can't see crap.
So this last time I said glass or nothin' and they got me glass, but the frame selection was way limited, so what I got is ugly (according to Jane) ... it was almost like they are punishing me for wanting to be able to see without scratches.
Oh well at 64 years of age, my vanity is the last of my concerns. But I'll tell you what I've had these glasses made with glass and there's not one friggin' scratch on them and I don't mind the extra weight.
Posted by Bill Diaz (Member # 2549) on :
If I was in my 30's or 40's I'd get the eye corrective surgery. I hate glasses!
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
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