Ultrasonic cleaning

tjs1295 · Sun. 8:17am

After deciding to finally purchase something to clean my bracelets more often, I have a couple questions about spring bar removal tools, and ultrasonic cleaners. The two bracelets I will be cleaning are from a Rolex submariner 116610, and an Omega PO 39.5 mm. It looks like there a a bunch of cleaners available on Amazon. Is there a specific model I should look for? And what should I use for the cleaning solution? Next question is, do I even need a spring bar removal tool? I see that some of the cleaners come with a watch stand, so only the bracelet is in the solution. Is that setup acceptable, or will I still damage the mechanical movements? If I do need to buy a spring bar removal tool, which version should I get, and will one tool work on both bracelets? Thanks!

Davidt · Sun. 9:03am

Anyone with a passing interest in watches should have a springbar tool. I have around 7 and I can’t recall buying most of them.

Avoid the mini cleaners designed for glasses etx. They’re literally of no use. I have one of these and it’s a decent balance between price and performance. I just use washing up liquid and warm water but there are specific cleaning solutions.

BAJJ · Sun. 9:32am

Many watch strap manufacturers give a free spring bar tool when sending straps, I have a good few of them, they are single fork type units and work ok with practice.
I have a Vevor (Chinese) ultrasonic that is also ok and does a good job on cleaning bracelets, it’s a relatively cheap unit, cost me€32. I use Elma red 1:9 cleaning solution and rinse thoroughly and dry after. I personally wouldn’t risk having the watch on a stand, I would remove the bracelet.

tjs1295 · Sun. 9:49am

OK, thanks for the info. I will get a spring bar tool. I figured that was the way to go anyway. Any suggestions for one that will work with both bracelets? I'm not afraid to spend the money if it will work. I use Bergeon screwdrivers for my links. The pincher type looks a little easier to use, but maybe I'm wrong?

I see the Vevor ultrasonic cleaners are available on Amazon. Don't see the GT Sonic models available. The Vevor in 1.3 or 2 L should work fine, correct?

BAJJ · Sun. 10:13am

A 1.3L should be enough, mine is 0.8 L and while it works it could be a little bit bigger. I imagine the same tool will be good for both bracelets, I have a couple of modern omegas and they are fine but I do not have a Rolex. I have thought a few times about a pincher type but as I have a few single types I’ll stick with them.

ErichKeane · Sun. 10:18am

Here's the secret on ultrasonic cleaners: they are ALL (and I mean ALL of them from commerical ones to cheap Harbor Freight ones) using the exact same transducers(within a dozen models, but cleaners are almost exclusively the same ones even in that) from more or less the same factories. I did a deep dive on it earlier this year.

They are all one or more of these glued to the bottom of a metal pan. IF it doesn't have a metal tub though, it isn't an ultrasonic cleaner. Those just don't do the same thing. The Vevor one that @BAJJ shows there is relabeled by a million different brands.

The driver boards, there are only 2-3 designs, and no real advantage or way of telling which is which.

IMO, buy an inexpensive one that has a metal pan (and plenty of room for the transducer below it!), and you'll be happy.

tjs1295 · Sun. 10:48am

Thanks everyone!

bralofsky · Sun. 11:02am

For an ultrasonic cleaner, look for one with adjustable settings for time and power. You can use a solution of warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap for the cleaning solution.

ErichKeane · Sun. 11:09am

bralofsky
For an ultrasonic cleaner, look for one with adjustable settings for time and power. You can use a solution of warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap for the cleaning solution.

Power settings on them are a lie, transducers don't support multiple power levels. The way they works is x seconds on, y seconds off. And it is large periods of time, since it can take a second or two for oscillation to actually start working right.

GuiltyGear · Sun. 11:18am

ErichKeane
Power settings on them are a lie, transducers don't support multiple power levels. The way they works is x seconds on, y seconds off. And it is large periods of time, since it can take a second or two for oscillation to actually start working right.

To add to that, there are cleaners with transducers tuned to different frequencies, so they can offer dual or variable modes. In no way that's related to power, but the simple fact that different frequencies affect different particle size.

G___ · Sun. 1:32pm

I've had a lot of success for bands and cases using the cheapie Amazon models (can adjust the time etc...) and a mix of Simple Green and water.

Good luck, its a simple and rewarding!

Pastorbottle · Sun. 1:39pm

I too use simple green......the results are sparkling

tjs1295 · Sun. 1:44pm

Great info. Thanks everyone. I ordered the Vevor cleaner, and a Bergeon 7825 tool. Will try some Dawn dish soap or Simple Green as mentioned above. I'm so sick of the black marks of gunk on my wrists after sweating with my watches on.

bralofsky · Sun. 2:13pm

For an ultrasonic cleaner, look for one with adjustable settings for time and power. You can use a solution of warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap for the cleaning solution.

GuiltyGear · Sun. 2:16pm

T tjs1295
Will try some Dawn dish soap or Simple Green as mentioned above.

Dish soap is very mild. It's formulated to break down cooking greases. It'll work great in most cases, but it won't clean the gunkiest of gunks. Simple Green or a similar mild degreaser should be slightly more effective.

I would stop at that though. You'll see people online recommend adding drops of ammonia, but I would stay away if you don't know what you're doing.

Don't even need a brand-name ultrasonic solution, unless you're using it often. It's easy to spend 2 minutes with a soft brush (and some soap) to remove most of the gunk, and throw it in the ultrasonic for the final finish.

Canuck · Sun. 3:37pm

For sure, remove the bracelet from the watch, and leave the watch OUT of the cleaner! I personally wouldn’t be confident that a “drug store” brand of ultrasonic cleaner would have sufficient power for heavy duty cleaning. I use an all-purpose household cleaner and water for cleaning bracelets.

ErichKeane · Sun. 3:40pm

Canuck
For sure, remove the bracelet from the watch, and leave the watch OUT of the cleaner! I personally wouldn’t be confident that a “drug store” brand of ultrasonic cleaner would have sufficient power for heavy duty cleaning. I use an all-purpose household cleaner and water for cleaning bracelets.

The only way to change power is to add transducers. You can do different frequencies by changing the transducers with different ones, but I'd doubt many machines do.

The plastic tray ones are just a vibrating motor (like the one in your PlayStation controllers) with an offset weight at the end, so are just "sonic" cleaners.

But rule of thumb is if they use a metal tray, they are probably using the same $10 transducer as everyone else and the same $20 driver boards and are basically equal.

Davidt · Sun. 4:49pm

ErichKeane
The only way to change power is to add transducers. You can do different frequencies by changing the transducers with different ones, but I'd doubt many machines do.

The plastic tray ones are just a vibrating motor (like the one in your PlayStation controllers) with an offset weight at the end, so are just "sonic" cleaners.

But rule of thumb is if they use a metal tray, they are probably using the same $10 transducer as everyone else and the same $20 driver boards and are basically equal.

This is what I mean (although you’ve fleshed out the reasoning that I wasn’t aware of) when I say avoid the mini ones. They are entirely plastic and less than useless.

ErichKeane · Sun. 5:17pm

Davidt
This is what I mean (although you’ve fleshed out the reasoning that I wasn’t aware of) when I say avoid the mini ones. They are entirely plastic and less than useless.

Oh definitely! The plastic tray ones aren't really ULTRA sonic, they are a vibrating motor and don't cause cavetation at all, which is the microscopic bubbles of air that form that do the scrubbing.

The plastic tray ones are just soapy water you put your jewelry into and it shakes it a little for you.

I'm more saying: don't bother with the modern L&R/name brand ones. They are identical to the metal tank one you get at harbor freight, for 10x the money.

JimInOz · Sun. 5:20pm

T tjs1295
I see that some of the cleaners come with a watch stand, so only the bracelet is in the solution. Is that setup acceptable,

No, U/S vibrations will travel through the whole watch and although attenuated, are not desirable.

Plenty of good advice above, my set-up for most things.

Bracelet example.

Ultrasonic cleaning

tjs1295

Davidt

BAJJ

tjs1295

BAJJ

ErichKeane

tjs1295

bralofsky

ErichKeane

GuiltyGear

G___

Pastorbottle

tjs1295

bralofsky

GuiltyGear

Canuck

ErichKeane

Davidt

ErichKeane

JimInOz

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