Question Ultrasonic Cleaners vs HCL acid?

[Pearlman]

Hey Folks
So I am a few weeks away from servicing my regulators - 2 1st stages and 3 2nds.

I was looking at purchasing HCL acid but confused about grades and concentration to use. The classroom taught me to create a solution of 10% HCL by adding the right measure of HCL to a measured volume of water. A quick browse on Google says 100% HCL is a gas and the local market offerings online shows me some 37% HCL and other offering are listed as CP grade or LR grade. What are these and which one should I get? What is the strongest concentration of liquid HCL possible for general sale without any special licenses etc?

Then I also did a quick check on Ultrasonic cleaners and I found that they are not that expensive compared to the various speciality tools I got for repairing my regulators. The most affordable ones appear to be for dentures and jewellery cleaning etc and I am looking at one on Amazon locally that has just a 304 SUS 600ml tank & Ultrasonic frequency 42,000 Hz it looks like. Will that suffice for a single 1st stage at a time?

The blurb on the product site says this however -

• PLEASE DON'T put plated items into the tank.
• The ultrasonic cleaner can not remove the oxide layer.

Now I am confused because regulators are typically plated brass right? And what about the salt or white aluminium oxide coating/deposits (not sure what it was deep inside the body) I found inside my regs when I opened them in the classroom?

Please help me decide the minimum specs of either that I should go for, thanks for your inputs on this.

 

[tursiops]

I would never use HCl acid. My go-to is white vinegar, diluted 1:1.
The Deep6 Service Manual says:

Acid wash - Distilled white vinegar, diluted 1:1 in warm water; Lawrence Factor Wash® or GSM 43190​

Regulator Cleaner, diluted per manufacturer; food-grade phosphoric acid, diluted to 8-15% (for​

soaking), or diluted to 3% for use in an ultrasonic cleaner.​

 

[Pearlman]

I would never use HCl acid. My go-to is white vinegar, diluted 1:1.
The Deep6 Service Manual says:

Acid wash - Distilled white vinegar, diluted 1:1 in warm water; Lawrence Factor Wash® or GSM 43190​

Regulator Cleaner, diluted per manufacturer; food-grade phosphoric acid, diluted to 8-15% (for​

soaking), or diluted to 3% for use in an ultrasonic cleaner.​

I see distilled vinegar of 5% only online. Then there is a 20% cleaning vinegar that does not say “distilled” … what %strength of vinegar are you referring to?
Is there a custom regulator cleaner solution available?

 

[Mobulai]

Now I am confused because regulators are typically plated brass right? And what about the salt or white aluminium oxide coating/deposits (not sure what it was deep inside the body) I found inside my regs when I opened them in the classroom?

Chrome plated brass does alright in an US cleaner — they might have meant non electroplated items (idk what would be the difference even)

Regarding HCl:
From previous experience at chemistry lab, we had an incident at school, I would avoid HCl tbh as it fumes up very easily, (food grade) phosphoric acid does really great and is available without any special permits

Oxides: some pre rubbing with a toothbrush helps loosen it up, maybe with some diluted vinegar
Aluminum not a good idea to put it into either an acid bath nor an US cleaner, I think it makes it (More)brittle — not sure about that tho

 

[tursiops]

I see distilled vinegar of 5% only online. Then there is a 20% cleaning vinegar that does not say “distilled” … what %strength of vinegar are you referring to?
Is there a custom regulator cleaner solution available?

Don't overthink it. Cheap, grocery store vinegar.

 

[tursiops]

Hey Folks
So I am a few weeks away from servicing my regulators - 2 1st stages and 3 2nds.

I was looking at purchasing HCL acid but confused about grades and concentration to use. The classroom taught me to create a solution of 10% HCL by adding the right measure of HCL to a measured volume of water. A quick browse on Google says 100% HCL is a gas and the local market offerings online shows me some 37% HCL and other offering are listed as CP grade or LR grade. What are these and which one should I get? What is the strongest concentration of liquid HCL possible for general sale without any special licenses etc?

Then I also did a quick check on Ultrasonic cleaners and I found that they are not that expensive compared to the various speciality tools I got for repairing my regulators. The most affordable ones appear to be for dentures and jewellery cleaning etc and I am looking at one on Amazon locally that has just a 304 SUS 600ml tank & Ultrasonic frequency 42,000 Hz it looks like. Will that suffice for a single 1st stage at a time?

The blurb on the product site says this however -



Now I am confused because regulators are typically plated brass right? And what about the salt or white aluminium oxide coating/deposits (not sure what it was deep inside the body) I found inside my regs when I opened them in the classroom?

Please help me decide the minimum specs of either that I should go for, thanks for your inputs on this.

Ultrasonic cleaner recommendations

Can anyone recommend a good ultrasonic cleaner for reg servicing that won't break the bank?

scubaboard.com

 

[davehicks]

I don't use acid or vinegar at all in the ultrasonic. I just use hot water @ 50c and parts come out sparkling. Maybe a little simple green crystal on some parts. If you have a really crusty part, then try some diluted vinegar.