Sonic cleaning solution

[OBXDIVEGUY]

I'll be servicing my regs myself soon. I have a sonic cleaner that I've never used. What kind of solution do you all recommend I use?

 

[redacted]

One cycle with hot water & detergent to remove grease and a second cycle with 50/50 vinegar and water for verdigris if necessary. I do not do the acid bath unless necessary. It often is not with well cared for regs.

 

[herman]

Same. The vinegar is fairly aggressive and it's does not take long. DO NOT put aluminum parts in the solution and be sure to rinse the parts well. I use white vinegar but I guess either would work.

 

[Colliam7]

I'll be servicing my regs myself soon. I have a sonic cleaner that I've never used. What kind of solution do you all recommend I use?

It depends on the situation. For regs that I have not previously serviced (e.g. I buy a used reg on eBay), and most definitely for regs that have any evidence of corrosion from salt water, I prefer the GMC (Global Manufacturing Corporation) Hydrosonic Cleaner (which is mildly acidic). It is not inexpensive, but it will CLEAN. For routine annual cleaning after that, I may use a dilute solution of Simple Green. Haven't tried vinegar.

 

[Kunundrum]

I use diluted "Blue Gold" cleaner, 50/50 Vinegar or diluted Simple Green Depending on the cleaning requirement and recommendation from the MFG.

Like Simple green will turn some Omni swivel component black (kinda cool looking actually), so unless this is what you are going for I would avoid it unless you know how it will interact with the part.

 

[OBXDIVEGUY]

Thanks for the tips!

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I have blue gold but yet to run into a reg that needed it. Right now there is a vinegar/water mix in mine and once the heat is turned on 3 minutes on the timer makes anything I've done so far look like new followed by a through rinsing of course.

 

[Capt.Gene]

You gents who work on fresh water used regulators just have it too good..
It's exciting work when we need to ultrasonic a salt used reg just to disasemble it. It's a bonus when they come apart without tool marks..
I sometimes use 1st stages for marker jug weights on my boat.

 

[Colliam7]

It's exciting work when we need to ultrasonic a salt used reg just to disasemble it.

So, Gene, in a case like that, what solution do YOU use in the cleaner? As I noted, I like the GMC solution. Have you found something even stronger / more effective?

It's a bonus when they come apart without tool marks..

Absolutely!