What Happened When I Put These Parts In An Ultrasonic Cleaner - Bike Maintenance

Ribble Valley Cyclist

7 Apr 202315:53

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this video, the presenter, John, explores the effects of using an ultrasonic cleaner on various bicycle components, including aluminum and plastic parts. He tests the cleaner with a generic three-liter machine and Clover's Virusol cleaning agent, comparing the results with soaking in neat Virusol. After 20 minutes of cleaning, he finds that while the chain and cassette come out immaculate, lightly anodized parts suffer from stripping. The experiment concludes that ultrasonic cleaning is effective for certain components but may damage delicate anodizing, suggesting a milder degreaser or traditional soap and water for more delicate parts.

Takeaways

🧪 The experiment involved using an ultrasonic cleaner with aluminum and plastic components to see the effects.
🏍️ The initial purpose of the video was to demonstrate the cleaning effectiveness on bike chains and to address the debate on cleaning other parts.
🚫 The video creator does not recommend putting these parts in an ultrasonic cleaner due to unknown outcomes.
💦 A generic three-liter ultrasonic cleaner and Clover's Virusol cleaning agent were used for the experiment.
🧴 The cleaning solution was diluted with lukewarm tap water at a 100:1 ratio as a precautionary measure.
🌡️ The machine's built-in heater was not used to avoid potential stripping of anodizing on components.
🔄 Multiple cleaning cycles were conducted with fresh mixes for each to test various components.
🔩 Components like chains, cassettes, derailleurs, and bearings were tested for their reaction to the cleaning process.
🚿 The results showed that the chain and other metal parts came out immaculately clean but some anodized parts suffered damage.
🧼 A comparison was made between components soaked in neat Virusol and those cleaned in the ultrasonic machine.
📝 The conclusion suggests that milder degreasers may be more suitable, and for delicate parts, traditional soap and water might be a better option.

Q & A

What was the initial purpose of the ultrasonic cleaner demonstration in the video?
-The initial purpose was to demonstrate the effectiveness of cleaning chains and other parts, and to address the debate on whether it's safe to clean components like Doralus front and rear bearings and cassettes.
What was the host's stance on cleaning non-metal parts in an ultrasonic cleaner?
-The host advised against cleaning non-metal parts in an ultrasonic cleaner, suggesting that it should only be used for bare metal parts.
What type of ultrasonic cleaner was used in the video?
-A generic three-liter ultrasonic cleaner was used for the demonstration.
What cleaning agent was used in the ultrasonic cleaner?
-The cleaning agent used was Clover's Virusol.
How was the Virusol cleaning agent prepared for use in the ultrasonic cleaner?
-It was diluted with lukewarm tap water at a recommended ratio of 100 to 1.
Why didn't the host use the built-in heater on the ultrasonic cleaner?
-The host avoided using the heater because some sources suggest that using it with the ultrasonic cleaner can strip anodizing from components.
What were the results of cleaning the components in the ultrasonic cleaner?
-The components were found to be immaculate and spotless after cleaning, but some delicate anodized parts experienced dulling or stripping of the anodizing.
What was the outcome of leaving components in neat Degreaser without agitation?
-The components left in neat Degreaser without agitation were mostly fine, except for a slight amount of fur on one of the components.
What alternative method was suggested for cleaning delicate components?
-The host suggested using old-fashioned soap and water as a milder alternative to cleaning delicate components.
What was the host's final conclusion regarding the use of ultrasonic cleaners for bike maintenance?
-The host concluded that while ultrasonic cleaners are effective for certain parts, they may not be suitable for more delicate components with light anodizing, and suggested trying a milder degreaser or using soap and water for such parts.
How did the host address the issue of damaged paint on a component before the cleaning process?
-The host acknowledged the damaged paint on the rear derailleur and expressed interest in observing whether the ultrasonic cleaning would worsen the condition, but found no adverse effects after the cleaning process.

Outlines

00:00

🧼 Introduction to Ultrasonic Cleaning Experiment

The video begins with the host, John, introducing an experiment to test the effects of ultrasonic cleaning on various bike components. He discusses a previous video where he cleaned a bike chain and received comments questioning the safety of cleaning other parts. To address this, he plans to use a generic ultrasonic cleaner with a cleaning agent called Virusol to clean components like bearings and cassettes. John emphasizes that he is not recommending the use of ultrasonic cleaners for these parts but is exploring the outcomes. He also mentions that he will not use the built-in heater on the cleaner to avoid stripping anodizing and will be diluting the Virusol with water.

05:00

🚴‍♂️ Pre-Cleaning Components Overview

In this segment, John presents the bike components that will be subjected to ultrasonic cleaning. He describes the condition of each part, including a greasy Ultegra chain, a nearly new 105 7000 cassette with perfect anodizing, a front and rear derailleur with minor grease and dirt, and a damaged rear derailleur with paint issues. He also shows a rusted headset bearing that is destined for disposal, a sealed bottom bracket bearing, a wheel bearing with seals removed, and anodized jockey wheels and other components that will be tested for anodizing durability. John plans to clean these parts multiple times, using a fresh mix of cleaner and water for each round.

10:02

🧪 Results of Ultrasonic Cleaning

After completing the ultrasonic cleaning process, John examines the results. The chain comes out immaculately clean, needing only oil. The cassette and front derailleur also emerge spotless, with no damage to the paint. The rear derailleur's paint remains intact, contrary to expectations. The bearings, once filled with rust and grease, are now clean and ready for reuse. However, the lightly anodized parts, such as the top cap and jockey wheels, have lost their shine and anodizing, showing that delicate finishes do not fare well under ultrasonic cleaning. The cassette's anodized section also loses its finish. In contrast, parts soaked in neat Degreaser without agitation show minimal changes, indicating that the ultrasonic action contributes to the cleaning effect.

15:02

🔬 Conclusion and Recommendations

John concludes the experiment by summarizing the outcomes and offering recommendations. He notes that while the ultrasonic cleaner effectively cleans greasy parts, it is not suitable for delicate anodized components. He suggests that a milder degreaser might be a better option for future experiments or that traditional soap and water may be preferable for cleaning delicate bike parts. John reiterates that his experiment is not an endorsement of ultrasonic cleaning for all bike components but rather an exploration of its effects.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Ultrasonic Cleaner

An Ultrasonic Cleaner is a device that uses high-frequency sound waves to create microscopic bubbles in a liquid, which then collapse with great force, dislodging dirt and grime from items placed within it. In the video, the author uses an ultrasonic cleaner to clean various bicycle components to demonstrate its effectiveness and potential risks.

💡Aluminum and Plastic Components

Aluminum and plastic components refer to parts made from aluminum and plastic materials, which are common in many applications, including bicycles. In the context of the video, the author is interested in whether these materials can be safely cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner without causing damage.

💡Cleaning Agent

A cleaning agent is a substance or product used to remove dirt, grime, or other contaminants from objects. In the video, the cleaning agent Virusol is used in conjunction with the ultrasonic cleaner to clean bicycle components effectively.

💡Anodizing

Anodizing is an electrolytic passivation process that forms a protective oxide layer on the surface of metal parts, particularly aluminum, to increase their durability, corrosion resistance, and aesthetic appeal. In the video, the author is concerned about the potential stripping of anodizing from bike components when using an ultrasonic cleaner with a strong cleaning agent.

💡Degradation

Degradation refers to the deterioration or decline in the quality, performance, or condition of a material or object over time or due to certain treatments. In the video, the author investigates whether ultrasonic cleaning with a strong cleaning agent can cause degradation of bicycle components, particularly those with delicate anodizing.

💡Bearing

A bearing is a mechanical element that supports rotational movements and reduces friction between moving parts. In the context of the video, the author examines the effects of ultrasonic cleaning on various types of bearings, including those from a bicycle's cassette, headset, and bottom bracket.

💡Rust

Rust is a common form of corrosion that occurs when iron or steel is exposed to oxygen and moisture, leading to a reddish-brown flaky substance. In the video, the author addresses the presence of rust on a headset bearing and explores whether ultrasonic cleaning can remove it.

💡Degreaser

A degreaser is a cleaning agent specifically designed to remove grease, oil, and other heavy-duty grime from surfaces. In the video, the author uses a degreaser called Virusol to clean bicycle components in an ultrasonic cleaner, assessing its effectiveness and potential risks.

💡Paintwork

Paintwork refers to the finish applied to the surface of an object, particularly in the context of vehicles or machinery, to provide a protective and aesthetically pleasing layer. In the video, the author is concerned about the potential damage to the paintwork of bicycle components when using an ultrasonic cleaner with a strong cleaning agent.

💡Soap and Water

Soap and water is a traditional cleaning method that involves using a soapy water solution to clean objects by hand. In the video, the author suggests that for more delicate components, using soap and water might be a safer and gentler alternative to ultrasonic cleaning with a strong cleaning agent.

💡Experiment

An experiment is a scientific procedure undertaken to make a discovery, test a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact. In the video, the author conducts an experiment to see what happens when various bicycle components are cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner with a degreaser, aiming to learn about the effects and potential risks.

Highlights

The experiment aims to test the effects of using an ultrasonic cleaner on aluminum and plastic bicycle components.

The video creator, John, had previously discussed cleaning bike chains with an ultrasonic cleaner but advised against cleaning other parts unless they are bare metal.

The ultrasonic cleaner used in the experiment is a generic three-liter model, and the cleaning agent used is Clover Virusol.

The machine will be used with a diluted cleaning solution, with a recommended ratio of 100 to 1 water to Virusol.

The experiment includes a control test with components soaked in neat Virusol to compare the results with those cleaned in the ultrasonic cleaner.

The ultrasonic cleaning process will run for 20 minutes per batch of components, without using the machine's built-in heater.

The condition of the components before cleaning is documented, including a greasy Ultegra chain and a nearly new 105 7000 cassette.

The experiment also tests cleaning a damaged rear derailleur and a rusty headset bearing, which are expected to be interesting cases.

Anodized components, such as a bottom bracket and jockey wheels, are included to observe the impact on their finish.

The results show that the chain and cassette come out immaculate and spotless after ultrasonic cleaning.

The front and rear derailleurs also emerge clean and undamaged, contrary to expectations.

The rusty headset bearing is cleaned effectively, presenting a potential use for the ultrasonic cleaner in restoring old parts.

However, the anodized components suffer damage to their finish, with dulling and stripping observed.

The control test with neat Virusol shows that the degreaser alone does not cause damage to the components, suggesting that the ultrasonic agitation may be responsible.

Cold water and a milder degreaser without agitation did not clean the components, indicating that the combination of heat, agitation, and cleaning solution is necessary for effective cleaning.

The video concludes that for delicate components, traditional soap and water cleaning may be a safer option.

Transcripts

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What Happened When I Put These Parts In An Ultrasonic Cleaner - Bike Maintenance

Takeaways

Q & A

What was the initial purpose of the ultrasonic cleaner demonstration in the video?

What was the host's stance on cleaning non-metal parts in an ultrasonic cleaner?

What type of ultrasonic cleaner was used in the video?

What cleaning agent was used in the ultrasonic cleaner?

How was the Virusol cleaning agent prepared for use in the ultrasonic cleaner?

Why didn't the host use the built-in heater on the ultrasonic cleaner?

What were the results of cleaning the components in the ultrasonic cleaner?

What was the outcome of leaving components in neat Degreaser without agitation?

What alternative method was suggested for cleaning delicate components?

What was the host's final conclusion regarding the use of ultrasonic cleaners for bike maintenance?

How did the host address the issue of damaged paint on a component before the cleaning process?