Trying to figure out a better way to clean the post and other plastic parts (obviously not "the plastics") when shopping out a pin. Anyone ever try tumbling them and if so what media do you use? Up till this point I have always wiped/scrubbed every single piece with a ME and alcohol. Fingers get pretty tired and it's just a tedious process. I thought of this last night while I was putting some of the metal pieces in my tumbler. Please share any other cleaning strategies that may be out there.....

#2 7 years ago

WRD

way2wyrd

History Of Pinball

Fort Worth, TX

13y 116K 4,917 21 12

I thow em in the dishwasher and then use a tooth brush for more stubborn dirt.

Sometimes the ultrasonic too

--Jeff

#3 7 years ago

???

Dr_of_Style

Inactive member

Dallas, TX

9y 28,925 1,334 12

For plastic posts, toothbrush and simple green, then rinse with water.
and, yes,

OP
Quoted from Sonora70:Fingers get pretty tired and it's just a tedious process.

Have not found a better way yet, except maybe a ultra sonic wash???

#4 7 years ago

CHD

Cheddar

GoldenStatePin

Lodi, CA

11y 117K 5,181 17 10

ultrasonic works great for plastic posts. Metal posts go in the tumbler with walnut media and novus 3 (whichever the heavy one is)

#5 7 years ago

---

ForceFlow

Pinside Moderator

9y 238K 31,358 268 14

I use an ultrasonic cleaner as well.

#6 7 years ago

CJM

EM-PINMAN

Pinside member

11y 111K 5,311

Quoted from Cheddar:
ultrasonic works great for plastic posts.

Quoted from ForceFlow:
I use an ultrasonic cleaner as well.

Yep.

#7 7 years ago

???

Dr_of_Style

Inactive member

Dallas, TX

9y 28,925 1,334 12

How long do you guys leave the posts in the ultra sonic cleaner?

#8 7 years ago

WRD

way2wyrd

History Of Pinball

Fort Worth, TX

13y 116K 4,917 21 12

Couple of 5 minute cycles on hot for me

-Jeff

#9 7 years ago

???

Sonora70

Pinside member

Elizabethtown, KY

9y 45,550 664 22

Ultrasonic cleaner....I've not seen one. I just googled and I'm finding them in the $30 range. Used for jewelry...is this what I'm looking for? What is the best size?

#10 7 years ago

JEF

jeffc

Pinside member

12y 91,550 2,166

lots of discussion(s):
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/search?s=1&what=topics&q=ultrasonic

#11 7 years ago

CAT

Butterflygirl24

Pinside member

12y 84,575 1,451

I use a baby bottle top basket that goes in the dishwasher...the posts and lane guides and such fit in it fine, and then after the dishwasher a toothbrush and some soapy water gets the stubborn stuff. Set them upright on a towel to dry thoroughly and they are good to go.

Phoebe

#12 7 years ago

---

ForceFlow

Pinside Moderator

9y 238K 31,358 268 14

OP
Quoted from Sonora70:
Ultrasonic cleaner....I've not seen one. I just googled and I'm finding them in the $30 range. Used for jewelry...is this what I'm looking for? What is the best size?

I use a 2.5L cleaner. Sometimes it's a bit small, but it can fit most things.

There are some that go up to 3.4 gallons, which would be good for large parts and wiring harnesses.

#13 7 years ago

CHD

Cheddar

GoldenStatePin

Lodi, CA

11y 117K 5,181 17 10

I've had great luck with this unit: http://www.harborfreight.com/25-liter-ultrasonic-cleaner-95563.html

Make sure to use a 25% coupon to get it for 60

#14 7 years ago

???

Sonora70

Pinside member

Elizabethtown, KY

9y 45,550 664 22

Quoted from Cheddar:
I've had great luck with this unit: http://www.harborfreight.com/25-liter-ultrasonic-cleaner-95563.html
Make sure to use a 25% coupon to get it for 60

Thanks, I predict I will own one of these before the weekend is over.....

#15 7 years ago

PBP

PopBumperPete

Pinside+ Frequent

12y 99,300 4,039 8

Since we are on the topic of ultrasonic cleaners, any other uses other than cleaning plastic posts and small harnesses?

#16 7 years ago

MPS

Msch

Inactive member

9y 47,050 1,273 16

I usually just throw them out if they're easy to find. New ones always look better

#17 7 years ago

---

ForceFlow

Pinside Moderator

9y 238K 31,358 268 14

Quoted from PopBumperPete:
Since we are on the topic of ultrasonic cleaners, any other uses other than cleaning plastic posts and small harnesses?

Basically any parts.

For cleaning metal parts, I usually do an initial rinse, then put the parts in the ultrasonic cleaner, then derust in evaporust, then polish by hand or in a tumbler, then wax or seal.

#18 7 years ago

ART

OLDPINGUY

Arts Arcade

12y 171K 12,507 7

I had some nasty plastics that weren't
responding well to the normal methods.
Grunge off or other acrylic bong cleaner did the
Trick!

#19 7 years ago

???

Sonora70

Pinside member

Elizabethtown, KY

9y 45,550 664 22

Update:
I made the trip to HF and purchased the ultrasonic cleaner. I got the 2.5 liter version for $64 using a 20% off coupon (regular price $79.99). The first time I used it I was not impressed. I ran the same post through several cycles and still did not receive the results I wanted. After reading some other post about these cleaners I decided to increase the amount of Simple Green as I was only putting in a small amount. My new mixture is roughly 60/40 water to Simple Green. The results are fantastic! The additional cleaner made a HUGE difference. I can't believe I am just now picking up one of these cleaners. Well worth the $64. In fact, it saved me $25 just on this one pin as I was going to replace some of the parts until I saw how clean they could be, not to mention the ease and amount of time saved.

#20 7 years ago

eh97ac

Pinside member

Toronto, ON

12y 47,800 896 3

Dial back the Simple Green and jack up the water temp. You should get the same results

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