Ultrasound for cleaning beads? Don't bother.

[SuzyQ]

I just tried it. I got a decent ultrasonic jewelry cleaner and put it on the maximum setting with water and vinegar. It didn't do much for cleaning out the bead release. And I was so hoping to ditch the dremel.... :)

[Rhapsody Fire Beads]

Thanks for the report QZ! How many watts of power does it have??

~Suzy~

[Dragonfire]

man, I was hoping that did work. I hate dremel time.

Michele

[SuzyQ]

42,000 HZ is the ultrasonic power

[catman]

many people said (though i cannot remember where...)
that Coca Cola cleans beads perfectly.
I remember one of them wrote that it works wonders with UltraSonic cleaners.
i guess he used flat coke, though...
try using the regular one, not the diet,
i think it's more acidic.

[MaryAnn]

Shucks Miss Q, you shoulda asked me :->. I have a large Ultrasonic paperweight in my studio just waiting for me to dust off my metalsmithing tools (so it will have something to do because it SURE won't clean my beads!)
Mine is even a dental one. There were a couple of people (actually 3 that I can think of) who have said that it worked great for them. Could be the bead release, could be their bead release and that they were working with soft glass, could be that they have better karma than me. I do believe that coke was what was used (the 'real thing' and it was the only thing that worked) as the solution, also a clear glass beaker (or in the case of one a ziploc bag) suspended off the bottom of the unit. Who knows why it works for some and not for others.

[SuzyQ]

LOL!! hmmm coke and a suspended ziplock bag? Should I give it a go? This is beginning to sound like as much work. I knew it was like buying a lottery ticket. :)
I did actually think I might clean my wedding rings.

[SuzyQ]

oh, where are you hearing about this? I would love to read the threads and then stalk those that say it works, lol.

[Rhapsody Fire Beads]

Q's!! Give that coke thing a try for me would ya?? I am so desperately lazy to NOT clean those 900 beads in the kitchen! LOL!!!! Wouldn't that etch them too? Or is it done in short cycle? Inquiring lazy people want to know!

~Me....the other....Suzy~

[SuzyQ]

Oh geeze, I just found the threads on wc. I thought I had searched those but I bet I searched ultrasound instead of ultrasonic.
OK, I didn't suspend the beads and I certainly didn't use coke. I will give it another try.

[beadfreak]

42,000 HZ is the ultrasonic power
Sorry, but that's not the power. This is the frequency, which has nothing to do with it.
The power must be something like W or VA being mentioned anywhere on that thingy.

[Rhapsody Fire Beads]

I think I read it has to have 100 to 200 watts of power? THAT.... is the difference.... I read.

Go QZ go!!! PLEASE report back that it works so I can continue on in my happy little lazy life!!

~me~

[MikeAurelius]

That and the fact that coke is acidic...

[MaryAnn]

Oh geeze, I just found the threads on wc. I thought I had searched those but I bet I searched ultrasound instead of ultrasonic.
OK, I didn't suspend the beads and I certainly didn't use coke. I will give it another try.

Sorry I didn't see your question sooner. Glad you found the info! There has been several threads on WC about it. I don't even recall all of the methods I tried (though I didn't try the ziploc) but none worked for me. I had intended to try the heavy duty solution that is used by dentists but didn't want to buy a ton of it and my dentist didn't want to "play".

[SuzyQ]

Suzy I'm flattening my coke right now :)

[Rhapsody Fire Beads]

Thank you QZ, you are my hero!! Can I send you about 900 beads to clean if it works! LOL! Just kidding......you know I love ya Girl.
~me~

[SuzyQ]

You can send me 900 beads but..... don't expect to get 900 back :evil:

[BillBrach]

Suzy,

Before you flatten that Coke, maybe you ought to drain it out of the can :biggrin:

Actually, I've found a chemical that does a wonderful job of removing the kiln shelf release gunk from the backs of fused pendants. About a 10 minute soak and the stuff wipes off. I'd LOVE to try an ultrasonic cleaner with this stuff to clean bead holes.

Anybody want to lend me a ultrasonic cleaner ?? I'd pay shipping BOTH ways !!

Bill

[MaryAnn]

Suzy,

Before you flatten that Coke, maybe you ought to drain it out of the can :biggrin:

Actually, I've found a chemical that does a wonderful job of removing the kiln shelf release gunk from the backs of fused pendants. About a 10 minute soak and the stuff wipes off. I'd LOVE to try an ultrasonic cleaner with this stuff to clean bead holes.


Bill

Now that you said this I remember I bought some chemical from Ed Hoy's years ago for just that purpose. It worked great. Now, where did I put it!