I may be jumping the gun here, since I’ve only tested three pieces*, but I cleaned all the schmutz off of clear frosted acrylic with just a minute in my cleaner. It’s one of those home-sized jewlery/glasses ultrasonics. A little glass cleaner in the water, just enough to cover the pieces, hit “ON”, and Bob’s your uncle!
Now I need to try out some of the fancy patterned acrylics that tend to go yellow at the cut lines. “pearlescent” types do that a lot.
*and then the darn thing died, so I have another one on order; my original was purchased back in 2010
Haven’t had the chance to try dish soap, you mean in the cleaner, or as a surface protector? I do use paper under the acrylic, and that helps shield it from the heat of the honeycomb.
@shop Yes, all my pieces will fit in the cleaner. You are right that there is a size limit.
OK, I’m back. The dish soap helped the top surface stay clean, but the inner cuts are still yellowish. The ultrasonic may not help with this type of acrylic, but it’s a winner for clear. I’ll report back when the new cleaner arrives.
I always put dish soap on both sides of acrylic. I like the way it makes more of a smooth edge rather than a ridge on the cut lines. Then I just lay it on brown paper (like painters use to cover windows). I haven’t tried elevating it. Guess I thought that it would still somehow cause flashback by bouncing off the bottom.
I own this one and I have been very happy with it. You will be able to use the cleaner a 2nd time. Get yourself an empty milk jug for the old cleaner. I do not dilute this cleaner.
I clean eye glasses, jewelry, paint brushes and lids for tumblers. I take the lids apart and the silicon rings also get cleaned. After the ultrasonic cleans them, I rinse the tumbler lid parts with clean water.
I think I got it from Harbor Freight, they don’t carry that model anymore. It’s a cheap unit–very low-end. Perfectly fine for cleaning dentures/glasses/jewlery, etc. The shape of the unit and inner basket will determine the size of parts you can immerse.
The replacement I’ve ordered on Amazon, I selected because it was cheap. If you see jaw-dropping prices, it’s either industrial or professional level. That is serious overkill for what you need.
I have a couple of ultrasonic cleaners, one specifically for cleaning silicone tags I make on my glowforge. I’ve used many different types of cleaners in the ultrasonic cleaner, including Dawn and it has never foamed or bubbled too much. I still don’t feel like I have found the perfect solution.
Yes, I think this is it. Inclusions in the acrylic lend an iridescent effect. These edges go yellow the worst and refuse to lighten up. Can’t wait to get the new ultasonic so I can see if it will remove that residue.
hadn’t even thought about it for silicon. i’ll have to keep that in mind next time. altho, if i’m going to clean GF stuff on it, i’ll probably get a second one so i’m not putting nasty, stanky stuff in the machine i clean our jewelry in.
Good choice. Also, keep an eye out for the metal-mesh coffee filters, of any size. They make great small-parts-cages. I used to use them for rings that had lots & lots of small stones.
I think I got it from Harbor Freight, they don’t carry that model anymore. It’s a cheap unit–very low-end. Perfectly fine for cleaning dentures/glasses/jewlery, etc. The shape of the unit and inner basket will determine the size of parts you can immerse.