by Jeff Andrews, Northern Tails Sharpening
Ultrasonic Cleaners (UC) have been used within the grooming trade for years. I used to combine chemical substances in beakers after I was an R&D chemist for GP years in the past, and it did very properly. The UC works like a microwave oven utilizing ultrahigh frequency tones to maneuver molecules of water or liquid in a container.
The very best use of the UC for blade care is cleansing blade plaque between the blade enamel. The plaque is breeding grounds for viruses and micro organism, and you can not fully kill them with over-the-counter disinfectants alone.
Blade plaque consists of media from pet dander, hair and natural cleaning soap movie. It’s a good media for culturing micro organism and viruses. The UC does a beautiful job to this finish.
SET UP
I want plain water within the UC tub. Why? There are two causes. First, I like doing a number of cleansing operations at one time. I take advantage of a number of completely different cleaners positioned in mason jars. You can not try this in case your tub holds just one cleaner. I take advantage of one cleaner for rust, one other one with WD-40 and a 3rd one utilizing a degreasing cleaner. I get the latter at Lowes for $12.00 a gallon. Second, after I take away the jars from the bathtub, drips are plain water and chemical substances.
CLEANING
My approach is fairly distinctive in comparison with others, however I primarily based my methodology on years of expertise discovering the easiest way. When utilizing mason jars the cleansing waves of the UC go proper via glass. Cautious, don’t use plastic jars. The waves act in a different way. Prepare blades within the mason jars any approach you need. I recommend you get as many as you possibly can inside.
Fill the jar with cleansing resolution to a stage increased than the blades. The water stage of the bathtub should be on the identical stage because the liquid within the jar or increased.
Run the UC for 10 minutes except in any other case instructed. Don’t warmth the bathtub as a result of the UC will warmth the liquid contained in the jar. Don’t seal the jars tight. Depart slightly crack permitting the liquid inside to increase slightly as wanted.
POST CLEANING CYCLE
After the cleansing cycle attain within the tub and pull out your jar(s). Some UC models can match three mason jars. The jars are more likely to drip from the bathtub however you shouldn’t have to fret. It ought to simply be nonhazardous water. Had you handled the bathtub with an answer like WD-40, you would need to put on gloves whenever you take away the blades separately, and associated dangers to respiratory fumes. There isn’t any cause to threat your security.
Take your jar(s) of unpolluted blades to a desk, or take away them from the jar(s) proper at your UC location. I recommend utilizing a magnet to take away blades after which laying them on a towel. You possibly can put a stick in your magnet for this function. It is usually a helpful approach to put blades into jars as properly with out making splashes. You should purchase magnet extension arms at Harbor Freight, House Depot, Lowes or comparable shops.
Get the majority of the moisture off the blades by hand drying on the towel.
Subsequent, use your air hose, pressure dryer, or hair dryer and blow the remaining liquid off the blade. Make sure you fully dry between the enamel in addition to below the spring with the intention to forestall any rust.
SECONDS
In the event you discover remaining blade plaque repeat your entire process. Blade plaque could also be tough to take away the primary time and haven’t frequently cleaned your blades. In the event you start common cleansing together with your UC a number of occasions every week it is best to efficiently keep away from blade plaque buildup.
COMPLETE KIT
Right here is the whole equipment I take advantage of to scrub blades. I’ve one jar with straight WD-40. It breaks away chunks of blade plaque from between the enamel when a cleaning soap resolution alone is inadequate. I’ve one other jar with WD-40 Rust Dissolver. We use it when blades have rusty spots not eliminated by our radial wheel cleansing. I maintain three jars with a cleaning soap resolution. I combine 1 half cleaning soap (Krud-Kutter, Easy Inexperienced, and many others) to three elements water. The extra water within the combine the higher for cleansing.
Your cleansing resolution will look soiled even after the primary use, however I’ve discovered the used resolution works properly for a number of remedies. Filth falls to the underside of the jar. When the dust builds as much as ¼ inch deep exchange the answer.
FINISHED PRODUCT
Within the image you see cleaned blades from one jar. We eliminated them from the jar utilizing magnet proven. The cleansing jar resolution seems soiled however it may be used a number of extra occasions. You possibly can determine if you wish to reuse or not. As soon as hand-wiped and blown fully dry, apply oil to the cleaned blades.
