Bearing cleaning in ultrasonic cleaner

[bigturtle]

I noticed that sometimes when I put a bearing (hybrid ceramic most of the time) in an ultrasonic cleaner, it comes out with a rough feel after a 5-6min session. I mostly do this to aliexpress bearings (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001305143660.html). I only use plain water + dawn dish soap in my cleaner. I'm not sure how to describe the feeling best, but it feels like theres extra small debris or something hard in the bearing. Its not crunchy like a rusted one.

Why am I getting this rough feeling after cleaning? Am I damaging the bearings by using an ultrasonic cleaner? or are the bearings themselves the problem?

[Cracker]

What I watched several times - it is not recommended to keep bearings (includes stainless steel) for more than 60 seconds.
I use some Krytox grease and oil and found this video how to clean bearings.

https://youtu.be/97xYjQSTCow?si=5Dyl7SPRQFy_4Iys

[Slazmo]

Cavitation pitting, especially with bigger Wattage units and some of the solutions - dissimilar metals etc in the solution...

I'm not a fan of ultrasonic cleaning with all things.

[bigturtle]

Oh no, I was not aware. I will stop using ultrasonic cleaner for the bearings. Are there any other parts I should be careful of? I throw everything except the frame, side covers, and handle assembly in there.

This is the ultrasonic cleaner I have: https://www.amazon.com/Magnasonic-MGUC5 ... B007Q2M17K

[Slazmo]

The small jewellery ones aren't too bad, but the more commercial sized jobs that heat the water up a lot more can be more on parts.

But if you've ever seen what cavitation can do on metal parts it's eve opening. I typically just wash bearings by hands in degreaser and flush under warm water to clean off the solution - don't over complicate it.

[hoohoorjoo]

I use a small battery powered vibration-type cleaner. I use 91% isopropyl alcohol for cleaning solution, then dry them on a towel with a hair dryer. Ive only had one bearing change from "good" to "bad" with a cleaning. I suspect that it was already bad, and I only removed the crud from the pits in the balls and/or the races. I have had bearings seem bad after a cleaning, but smoothed out very nicely after proper lubrication.

[bigturtle]

I use a small battery powered vibration-type cleaner. I use 91% isopropyl alcohol for cleaning solution, then dry them on a towel with a hair dryer. Ive only had one bearing change from "good" to "bad" with a cleaning. I suspect that it was already bad, and I only removed the crud from the pits in the balls and/or the races. I have had bearings seem bad after a cleaning, but smoothed out very nicely after proper lubrication.

Can you link the cleaner you use?

[hoohoorjoo]

I bought it second-hand at a junk store. Theres no nomenclature on it at all. I assume its just a cheapo, made in China product. It has a snap-on lid and and removable cup/liner, with suction cup feet, and runs on 3 AA baterries.

[SSS]

I use them all the time, and even had the exact same ultrasonic cleaner that you have. After you pull them out of a cleaner, some do feel rougher than they should be (not all of them, tho. bunch of my hedgehog and zpi bearings are perfectly smooth and silent after a bath). But after use, the roughness goes away real quick.

[Just_Bass]

Maybe just a normal feeling of dry bearing as long as it doesn’t make sound and smooth spin after add oil, I wouldn’t worry about it. I soak my in acetone/nail cleaner in a jar on top of aquarium air pump, then wash off with isopropyl alcohol and let air dry overnight.

[bigturtle]

I bought it second-hand at a junk store. Theres no nomenclature on it at all. I assume its just a cheapo, made in China product. It has a snap-on lid and and removable cup/liner, with suction cup feet, and runs on 3 AA baterries.

Something like this?
https://www.amazon.ca/Frequency-Vibrati ... B0CM9TBYH4

I use them all the time, and even had the exact same ultrasonic cleaner that you have. After you pull them out of a cleaner, some do feel rougher than they should be (not all of them, tho. bunch of my hedgehog and zpi bearings are perfectly smooth and silent after a bath). But after use, the roughness goes away real quick.

I did continue to use a few of the bearings afterwards, but did not notice the roughness go away. They also didnt freespin better/equal to when it was new, which leads me to think something went wrong

Maybe just a normal feeling of dry bearing as long as it doesn’t make sound and smooth spin after add oil, I wouldn’t worry about it. I soak my in acetone/nail cleaner in a jar on top of aquarium air pump, then wash off with isopropyl alcohol and let air dry overnight.

Its hard to tell if its making more sound since they're ceramic balls, but it definitely doesnt freespin as much as it did when it was brand new.

[SSS]

Would be nice if you could post a short vid. Because i have been doing this for a while now, and unless the bearing wasn't in great shape to begin with, after an ultra sonic bath, it shouldn't become much worse than it was.

[hoohoorjoo]

I bought it second-hand at a junk store. Theres no nomenclature on it at all. I assume its just a cheapo, made in China product. It has a snap-on lid and and removable cup/liner, with suction cup feet, and runs on 3 AA baterries.

Something like this?

Mine is simpler, closer to this.
https://www.amazon.ca/S5E5X-Ultrasonic- ... 142&sr=8-2

[HellaBread]

Would be nice if you could post a short vid. Because i have been doing this for a while now, and unless the bearing wasn't in great shape to begin with, after an ultra sonic bath, it shouldn't become much worse than it was.

you can definitely overdo it for bearings in the ultrasonic and cause fretting damage. Happens with hybrids more easily than standard stainless bearings….dont ask me how i know (rip to some of my zpi bearings). I try to run the ultrasonic for no more than 5min on bearings. If there’s still hard debris in it past that i find a waterpik is more effective. Your mileage may vary but that’s just what i’ve found working on my own stuff.

[tincanary]

I use a Bearing Blaster with WD-40 Industrial Degreaser, quick and easy. I did the ultrasonic thing for some years prior, but this does just as good and is much faster.

https://rpmrcproducts.com/shop/tools/bearing-blaster/