Lock Cleaning Using Ultrasound

[special_dx]

Having had a quick look at the archives, I cannot see any reference to ultrasonic cleaning. Can anybody tell me if this is a goos way to clean inside locks and suggest a suitable solution to use in an ultrasonic tank. Having had great success with motorcycle carbs in the past, I might give it a go if there is no negative feedback from the forum. The lock in question is an Abloy PL342 with (I think) a high profile core. I will probably try a solution for automotive use that contains a corrosion inhibitor and dry thoroughly afterwards at 50-80 degrees centigrade.

Cheers.

[MacGyver101]

I haven't heard many people around here discussing ultrasonic cleaning of locks, but there was one guy who reported some success with it a few years ago.

My biggest concern would be the one that you mentioned: drying. Unless it's fully disassembled, there are a lot of tiny crevices in there that could hold liquid if you didn't do some additional work to dry things out. Your solution of leaving it to dry for a while at a high(ish) temperature sounds like a good plan.

Let us know how it works!

[special_dx]

Well, the Abloy 342 is in the bath now and currently being cleaned on a pulse setting at 50 degrees Centigrade. I can stand to sacrifice this lock as it only has one key for the High Profile cylinder, the rest of the parts should be fine and I can always get a protec core inserted if it pacs up (I had trhe sence to remove the lock screw before cleaning).

Will post back when it is cleaned and dried - anyone got tips on lubricating this type of lock? my selection of PL362Ns appear to have a clear colourless grease on the shackle and nothing in the disks.

[special_dx]

Well, the lock has been dried overnight and a small toot of PTFE lube has been inserted. I must say it looks a lot cleaner and the action of the key is like new. I may at some pont dismantle the cylinder, in which case I will post back, it may be that I still find moisture or corrosion inside. For now though, the results appear to be outstanding and this lock is intended for harsh outdoors conditions.

Cheers
Matt

[Eyes_Only]

I assume PTFE lube a dry lube so if there were any fluids/moisture left in there it should cause the dry lube powder is clump up and be easily identified when disassembled right?

[special_dx]

Yes - in this case I dismantle the disk stack to check how well the cleaning has worked and all was clean and dry. If I was using PTFE on a lock that hadn't been checked I would be more cautious.

[NanoDuke]

PTFE = polytetrafluoroethylene = Teflon

The same stuff used in non-stick fry pans.


Special, is the PTFE is powdered form? I've never actually seen it in this phase. I've come across PTFE in a solid plastic, or a white liquid emulsion.

[mitch.capper]

Ultrasonic cleaning is fantastic, I have used it on many locks the primary trick is getting strong enough solutions to get rid of whatever it is but not damage the lock.

You need to disassemble the lock before ultrasonically cleaning it (and depending on the metals/solution seperate out like metals). It will make things look quite good, but again without disassembly it won't be great.

You can additionally use compressed air to speed trying of hard to reach parts.

[special_dx]

PTFE = polytetrafluoroethylene = Teflon

The same stuff used in non-stick fry pans.


Special, is the PTFE is powdered form? I've never actually seen it in this phase. I've come across PTFE in a solid plastic, or a white liquid emulsion.

Hi NanoDuke

The stuff I use comes in tiny spray cans and dries to an almost invisible film when ised sparingly, I think it was originally intended for the food processing industry as it states it is food safe on the label, but it is sopld for light lubrication of celcate mechanisms. It certainly makles locks much slicker without atracting dirt or drying out. Mine came with a lock suupplied for chaining motorcycles outside in all weathers.

[WOT]

You'll need a rig designed to be used with solvents.

Use mineral spirits or trichloroethylene. Don't use a petroleum solvent much more volatile than kerosene/mineral spirits as it's too much of a fire/explosion hazard.

Organic solvents are superior to water in cleaning locks, because they have lower surface tension and can enter crevices better and they naturally dissolve oil based lubricants.

[NanoDuke]

Trichloroethylene is unstable when in contact with metals, so it might not be a viable solution (pun). Plus there are toxicity issues.

I think TCE or other organic solvents are a bit extreme when combined with ultrasonic soaking.
Either use a low-grade, cheap solvent + sonication, or a stronger solvent on it's own.

Heat is another variable to help with cleaning.

[WOT]

Trichloroethylene is unstable when in contact with metals, so it might not be a viable solution (pun). Plus there are toxicity issues.

I think TCE or other organic solvents are a bit extreme when combined with ultrasonic soaking.
Either use a low-grade, cheap solvent + sonication, or a stronger solvent on it's own.

Heat is another variable to help with cleaning.

What are low-grade solvents?

Kerosene is good, but it's too stinky. Deodorized mineral spirits is basically kerosene, but with the nasty smell removed so it's much more pleasant to work with.

Trichloroethylene is a VERY common industrial metal cleaning solvent. It may react with aluminum, but you shouldn't clean aluminum in ultrasonic anyways. Put a piece of aluminum foil in an ultrasonic water filled with water and watch it disintegrate from cavitation.

Detergent-water is not very efficacious with heavily oiled parts.

[lockmaster69]

Lockmaster69- I have been using a Ultrasonic Cleaner model Branson 200 for several years. But for my hard to clean locks and Best I/C cores I use water and my Microwave. As long as you use a microwave bowl or container and the metal cores are below the water level their will be no sparks. Put the Microwave on High and the lock cores and locks will boil clean. Then I use canned air or air hose to blow out extra water. I apply either ProxyLube Air Dry CP-200 dry film lubricant made by Sandstrom Products Co. or Formula 8000 Industrial rust & corrosion fighting lubricant if the lock is going out side sold by Stanley Lock Co. I have been using the Microwave since 1978 and the Ultrasonic with jewelry soap since 2003.
I have been a locksmith since 1975 and I'm retiring next year.