Ultrasonic Damanging Jewellery

[Hannah Jackson]

Hello,

Me again!

I am having some trouble with my ultrasonic marking my jewellery requiring me to then re-polish.

I have a JPL Ultra 7000 and I use sea clean 2 with this, half a cap full. I am having problems with both the machine and the fluid.

I have narrowed the problem down to find out which is causing the problems, and it turns out they both are.

I tried using the ultrasonic with warm water alone, and it leaves faint white marks near to edges, but only in certain places, the marks are light and can be seen in natural lighting. The marks don't come out with a polishing cloth but if I give it a quick polish with rouge and a buff and the marks come out……….. but then the piece needs cleaning again……… and will then get damaged in the ultrasonic again. The marks are always in different places, but only in 1 small place each time.

I have tried using ultrasonic fluid in warm water in a cup and leaving the piece to soak, and I get white stain patterns on the jewellery which again cannot be removed with a polishing cloth. The marks are very different though.

I put my pieces on their jump ring and chains and suspend it from a pole resting over the top of the machine. I have checked there is nothing bashing in to each other and the piece is not touching anything.

Is it because my ultrasonic is cheap? I would purchase an expensive one if I know this is the solution, but I don't want to spend out hundreds to find I have the same problem :S
The ultrasonic works amazingly if it wasn't for this problem!

Thanks,
Hannah

[caroleallen]

I have exactly the same problem Hannah. In fact, I think my ultrasonic keeps fusing my electricity, so it's had to be scrapped. Mine was the Cooksons economy range and cost something like £150. They don't seem to do the same one now.

My question is, if I go for a more expensive one, will I still have the same problems? I don't want to fork out a lot of money if it's no better than the cheap one.

[Dennis]

Hi both. I don't use ultrasonics, so I cant give an answer, but this company is showing at IJL soon, so you could visit them there, or phone them to discuss you problem.

http://www.jamesproducts.co.uk/ Dennis.

[caroleallen]

Thanks Dennis. I may give them a ring.

[caroleallen]

I'm very tempted though to get a steam cleaner instead. I just can't decide whether the very expensive jewellery ones are that much better than normal household ones.

[Goldsmith]

My Bandelin Sonorex, has served me well for over 25 years now, not cheap but I think you get what you pay for.

James

[ShinyLauren]

I have exactly the same problem Hannah. In fact, I think my ultrasonic keeps fusing my electricity, so it's had to be scrapped. Mine was the Cooksons economy range and cost something like £150. They don't seem to do the same one now.

My question is, if I go for a more expensive one, will I still have the same problems? I don't want to fork out a lot of money if it's no better than the cheap one.

I also get the white marks on my jewellery after putting in the ultrasonic. I rarely use mine any more, because the marks have to be polished out again, thus rendering putting them in the ultrasonic in the first place entirel pointless. I have this one: http://www.hswalsh.com/product/digit...5-litres-hu151 and have tried various cleaning fluids with it.

[caroleallen]

That one looks very similar to my old one Lauren.

I have today, taken delivery of a fab spanking new Elma one and I can't believe how quiet it is. The old one always set my teeth on edge. So far I haven't noticed the white marks yet, so fingers crossed that I've solved the problem.

[andrew_berry]

Steamer or ultrasonic?

You have to have both!

We have even used our steamer to make frothy coffees too, when we had it new.

There is often dirt left behind stones even with the ultrasonic, thats where a steamer comes in so handy.

Never had a problem with white marks. i can only assume these are caused by 'something' rubbing against the surface, bubbles perhaps?

We have always bought expensive ultrasonics £500+ and have never had a problem. We don't use environmental friendly products either, sorry. Stick with the proven products and established brands such as Elma etc. Some of the new brands are not as good and neither are the solutions.

Out current ultrasonic has been with us for over 18 years, on every day, no problems. Twin transducer? I think. Cleaned out every couple of weeks despite the colour of the solution. Not a good idea I know.

Andrew

[ps_bond]

We don't use environmental friendly products either, sorry. Stick with the proven products and established brands such as Elma etc. Some of the new brands are not as good and neither are the solutions.

Echoes of my comment earlier - I'm more interested in whether the stuff works than what it's made of!