Ultrasonic Gun Cleaning: Everything You Need to Know

Ultrasonic gun cleaning not only works but is also much easier, time-saving, and overall more effective: instead of scrubbing for hours, you can let physics do most of the work for you. The ultrasonic cleaner uses high-frequency sound waves in a heated liquid to remove dirt and fouling from even the smallest crevices of your gun parts.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• What ultrasonic gun cleaning is
• Why ultrasonic cleaning works so well for firearms
• The full step-by-step process
• What solutions you should (and shouldn’t) use
• How to choose an ultrasonic cleaner
• And how it compares to traditional manual cleaning

What Is Ultrasonic Gun Cleaning?

Ultrasonic gun cleaning uses high-frequency sound waves in a liquid bath to create microscopic bubbles. These bubbles rapidly form and collapse in a process called cavitation. When they collapse, they release tiny bursts of energy that knock carbon, grease, and fouling loose from metal surfaces, including inside holes, channels, and tight internal parts.

The result is a level of cleaning that’s extremely hard to achieve with brushes, patches, and picks alone.

Why Ultrasonic Cleaning Is So Effective for Firearms

Modern firearms have:

• Gas systems
• Bolt carriers and pistons
• Extractors and firing pin channels
• Tight tolerances and hidden recesses

These areas are notoriously annoying to clean manually. Ultrasonic cleaners are much more effective because the liquid infiltrates tight and hidden spaces that the naked eye cannot even see. If liquid can reach it, the cavitation bubbles can clean it.

How To Use an Ultrasonic Cleaner For Gun Parts: Step-by-Step

The process of cleaning gun parts in an ultrasonic cleaner is quite simple: first, disassemble the firearm and place the parts into the ultrasonic cleaner, then run a cleaning cycle for about 10–15 minutes, depending on how dirty the components are. 

Afterward, remove the parts and place them in an oil‑displacing solution for approximately 3–5 minutes. Finally, take the parts out, wipe them clean, reassemble the firearm, and apply proper lubrication.

Follow these steps to clean gun parts in an ultrasonic cleaner.

1. Set Up the Ultrasonic Cleaner

• Fill the tank with water to the recommended level.
• Add an ultrasonic cleaning solution specifically made for gun parts. Ultrasonic gun cleaning solutions are usually sold by ultrasonic cleaner manufacturers.
• Turn on the heater and let the solution heat up. You can set it to the highest temperature. Large tanks take time to warm up, so do this first.

Take Note:

For ultrasonic gun cleaning, you can use alternatives like Simple Green or Purple Power, but keep in mind that these are not suitable for all gun parts. Specifically, they are not safe for anodised or coated parts. They can strip anodising from receivers and other components. They’re only safe for stainless steel parts.

2. Disassemble Your Gun and Place Parts in the Basket

You don’t have to disassemble every single gun part for ultrasonic cleaning, but the more you disassemble, the better the cleaning, and the quicker the process. 

Any gun part can go into the ultrasonic cleaner except optics and electronic parts. The following gun parts can be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner:

• Slides, frames, barrels, bolt carriers, pistons, and receivers. 
• For pistols like the Springfield Prodigy, you can leave the barrel, guide rod, and spring together, but remove the firing pin and extractor for best results
• Even older double-barreled shotguns just remove the stock and place the receiver in the tank
• You can load the basket pretty full, even if parts touch, the bubbles will still find their way in.

Some ultrasonic cleaners come with magnetic baskets, allowing you to suspend a gun so the optic stays out of the liquid.

3. Lower the Basket and Run the Cleaner (About 10–15 Minutes)

Lower the basket into the hot cleaning solution and set the timer for about 15 minutes

• You’ll hear a sizzling or hissing sound: that’s cavitation doing its job
• If the noise is annoying, use the lid to mitigate the sound.

4. Remove the Basket and Let Parts Cool

When the cleaning cycle finishes, lift the basket out. Recently cleaned gun parts, especially the metal ones, will be hot.  So, don’t touch anything just yet.

• Let them cool and inspect the results
• Most parts will look almost brand new.

Very dirty parts (like bolt carrier groups) may benefit from another 5–10 minute cycle. You can lightly brush off any remaining floating debris.

5. Place Parts in Water-Displacing Oil

Some ultrasonic units include a second tank for water-displacing oil.

• Lower the parts (still in the basket) into the oil for 3–5 minutes

If your unit doesn’t have this, submerge parts in water-displacing oil or anti-corrosion fluid manually

This step removes moisture, prevents corrosion, and leaves a protective oil film over your gun parts.

6. Wipe, Reassemble, and Lubricate

• Wipe off excess oil
• Use compressed air to blow out remaining oil from tight areas
• Reassemble the gun
• Apply your preferred gun lubricant

And there you go. You have successfully cleaned multiple gun parts in a matter of just about 30 minutes or so.

What Liquid to use for Cleaning Gun parts in an Ultrasonic Cleaner?

• For ultrasonic cleaning gun parts, you need ultrasonic cleaning gun solutions specifically made for gun parts. These are usually supplied by the manufacturer, and they are safer and more reliable. Read the instructions carefully and use as per the manufacturer's instructions.
• You can get alternatives like Simple Green or Purple Power Cleaner from a hardware store, but their active ingredient may be too harsh for anodized gun parts. These are fine for stainless steel parts.
• Whatever you do, do not use brass cleaner on gun parts.
• If in doubt about what ultrasonic cleaner to use for gun parts, contact the manufacturer.

Choosing an Ultrasonic Cleaner for Gun Parts

For an ultrasonic gun cleaner, a basket is critical. You don’t want parts sitting on the bottom of the tank. 

It must also have enough heating and cleaning capacity, a heater, a timer, and a digital control panel for effortless operation. It must have both a large basket and a tank for submerging the gun parts in oil or an anti-corrosion solvent.

The tank must be big enough to accommodate your gun parts. If you have many guns to clean, it is advisable to go for an industrial ultrasonic cleaner.

Creworks Ultrasonic Gun Cleaner

Creworks' 240W Ultrasonic Cleaner is one of the best ultrasonic machines for gun parts for sale. Its unique elongated design ensures efficient cleaning even for those narrow and hard-to-reach areas on delicate gun parts, heavy-duty auto tools, and intricate machine components.

Its 40kHz sound waves agitate the water in the 10 L (2.6 gal.) basin, creating cavitation that thoroughly cleans your items without the need for harsh chemicals or radiation.

With the 300W heating power, this ultrasonic cleaning machine provides even greater strength. The intuitive control panel provides timed cleaning for up to 30 minutes and heated cleaning at temperatures between 0 and 80°C (32 and 176°F).

Benefits of Ultrasonic Gun Cleaning

• Deep cleaning in hidden areas: Ultrasonic cleaning reaches places brushes simply can’t reach
• Saves a huge amount of time: No more hour-long scrubbing sessions
• More consistent results: Every cycle cleans the same way, every time
• Less physical effort: No scraping, picking, or aggressive brushing
• Excellent for heavily fouled parts: Bolt carriers, pistons, suppressor parts, etc.
• Safer for tight-tolerance parts: No risk of bending springs or damaging small components with tools
• Ideal for batch cleaning: Clean many parts at once instead of one by one

Ultrasonic Gun Cleaning vs Manual Gun Cleaning

When Does Ultrasonic Cleaning Make the Most Sense?

Ultrasonic cleaning is especially useful for:

• Bolt carrier groups
• Gas system parts
• Suppressor parts
• Heavily fouled pistols or rifles
• Guns that haven’t been cleaned in a long time
• Armourers or high-volume shooters

Final Thoughts on Ultrasonic Gun Cleaning

Ultrasonic gun cleaning doesn’t replace all manual cleaning, but it dramatically reduces the time, effort, and frustration involved in keeping firearms in top condition. For deep cleaning, hard-to-reach areas, and heavily fouled parts, it’s simply in a different league.

Once you’ve used one, it’s very hard to go back to scrubbing everything by hand.