Using an Ultrasonic Cleaner to strip minis, pretty awesome

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**Ouze**

Someone here, I think Kanluwen, recommended one of these. I got one for Chrismas and man, it is pretty awesome. I just stripped some failed Deathmark heads (unvarnished) with simple green, and 2 hours and a few cycles later, they are virgin plastic once more without ever needing to pick up a brush - I mean, clean, like even in the tight recesses.

Having a much harder time stripping some Necrons I dipped, but that's a rough one normally anyway, that polyurethane is tough.

I would definitely recommend one, they are pretty cheap.

**SlaveToDorkness**

Which one did you get? I have looked around and had a hard time finding one with a very large capacity.

**Samus_aran115**

Oh, like a sonicare? I love those as toothbrushes, but I think I'd have a problem putting it on a simple green soaked model, haha.

Which one did you get? I think a cheap one would do nicely for that purpose, maybe even an off-brand one.

Would totally help getting into tiny crevasses, and save me a whole lot of wrist cramping.

**SlaveToDorkness**

No, he means a sonic cleaner like you use for jewelry. I think.

**Ouze**

It's this one. It holds a pint, which means just about 5-7 assault marines and backpacks with some room to spare, as a size reference.

**Samus_aran115**

...

That makes a lot more sense.

I think I'll try my idea too though. Using a ratty old brush to scrape off bits of gooey paint has never been an enjoyable process, and I'm willing to try anything.

**SlaveToDorkness**

I use my old mechanical toothbrush to help dislodge the paint, it works pretty well.

huh, thanks for the link and capacity fr of reference, Ouze!

I may have to snag one of these!

**Ouze**

Although my link was Amazon, I'm pretty sure she bought it at Walmart. It appears to frequently go on sale for around $20.

**SlaveToDorkness**

Hmmm... must go to dreaded WalHell then!

**Simo429**

I'm waiting for the postman to turn up with one myself.

**Byte**

Hmmm, I have my wife's Quantrex sitting about 15 ft from me. Never thought of that...

**bluedestiny**

Think you can do a video or something to show how effective it is?

**Fifty**

Never even knew such things exist... Might have to get me one of those...

**oadie**

Don't know comparative size or price off the top of my head, but I know Harbor Freight sells one, as well, for those that like their tools dirt cheap and only moderately shoddy.

**Skippy**

Samus_aran115 wrote:...

That makes a lot more sense.

I think I'll try my idea too though. Using a ratty old brush to scrape off bits of gooey paint has never been an enjoyable process, and I'm willing to try anything.

An electric toothbrush probably would work pretty well for minimal cost after a good soak. Saying that ultrasonic cleaners are probably about the same price.

Ive seen them in maplins in the uk very cheaply

**Aerethan**

I've been meaning to get one to clean my airbrush for a while now. May have to take the plunge on one to strip some empire troops I ordered.

**Zefig**

Skippy wrote:
Samus_aran115 wrote:...

That makes a lot more sense.

I think I'll try my idea too though. Using a ratty old brush to scrape off bits of gooey paint has never been an enjoyable process, and I'm willing to try anything.

An electric toothbrush probably would work pretty well for minimal cost after a good soak. Saying that ultrasonic cleaners are probably about the same price.

Ive seen them in maplins in the uk very cheaply

Electric toothbrushes do a pretty nice job, but still tend to leave a bit stuck in the deepest recesses. From what I've heard, the ultrasonic cleaners are a bit better about that.

**Kanluwen**

I think it was me that turned you onto it, Ouze from my P&M blog in the DCM forum.

I got mine from Micromark, and it's quite nice as it has a little "basket" which can be removed or left in to fit more as you need. The one that I've got can fit 9 Vampire Counts Dire Wolves, on their cavalry bases, comfortably.

Suffice to say: I love that thing. It's crazy awesome.

**kyrie**

Fantastic thanks for this its gonna save me so much time im constantly stripping and repainting my models as im never happy with the end result lol

**Dez**

FYI the Harbor Freight one appears to be the same, and HF offers coupons all the time http://www.harborfreight.com/ultrasonic-cleaner-3305.html

**Eilif**

Thanks for the heads up folks. I'd never considered an ultrasonic cleaner before, but I'm a fanatic for stripping models, and this might be just the thing for some of the more stubborn plastic models that I can't drop into the hazardous chemical vats that I put metal models into.

I think I can arrange to be near a harbor freignt soon...

Anyone have a link to the Walmart version?

**Thare1774**

oadie wrote:Don't know comparative size or price off the top of my head, but I know Harbor Freight sells one, as well, for those that like their tools dirt cheap and only moderately shoddy.

I got a sonic cleaner from harbor freight, I've been using it for months and it still works great. I use it mainly for airbrush nozzles but I have gotten paint off metal models with it. It's definitely a good buy because its cheap, I can't speak of the price either though because it was a while ago and my memory of it is erased along with every other hobby expense

**logg_frogg**

Kan just convinced me to do the same

I will post results in my P&M once Mine arrives

I did however spend a few bucks and get an industrial grade one so my results may be a little different >.<

**SlaveToDorkness**

Same here, mine's big enough for a Land Raider. It's on the way, will post results.

**Lord Scythican**

Here is one at wal-mart. I couldn't find a price though. However if they are around $20.00 I am all for it.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Haier-Ultrasonic-Jewelry-Cleaner-White/2416364

I am sick of using the bucket and waiting. This seems like it would work a lot better.

**Fifty**

I find it makes little difference for cleaning metal models, but achieves a much better end result on plastic models. You still need to go through the rigmarole of soaking, then brushing before going to the ultrasonic though.

**logg_frogg**

Fifty wrote:I find it makes little difference for cleaning metal models, but achieves a much better end result on plastic models. You still need to go through the rigmarole of soaking, then brushing before going to the ultrasonic though.

I'm just hoping to avoid the brushing. Due to the nature of how the cleaner breaks down the acrylic soaking is a must.

**tme0003**

I have to admit, with the title and all I thought for sure the gizmo would be outta my reach, however, I've just ordered one of these bad boys (via the amazon link, I had a cupon). Many many thanks to sharing this 'gem' of an idea, I have basically my entire army to strip and repaint now that I'm serious about painting.

You rule Ouze!

**Ouze**

Nah, it was Kanluwen's idea. I just took like 6 months to test it out myself.

Post what your results are!

I also now use it to clean my airbrush, as suggested by Aerethan (just with water and a few drops of hand soap). Works nice for that too.

**Pancritic**

I think ultrasonic cleaner sales figures worldwide just skyrocketed. =)