question about Ultrasonic cleaner - how to

[ringabling]

I posted a thread letting you know they''re half off @ Sharper Image - I picked one up

Mine came w/ VERAH basic instructions, so basic it forgot to tell me to mix the solution w/ water. . . obviously I knew to, but that''s how lacking the instructions are.
I want to make sure I am doing it right.

It came w/ 2 tanks; a large and a small one. It says in one place that both can be used for US cleaning, then in another place it says the large tank and basket is for dipping silver only{?}
Can we or can we not use that plastic basket that comes in the large tank for cleaning our wedding rings?
Can we use hot water?
Also, if we don''t use a basket in the tank at all, is that safe? Feels safer to me to put my bling in a basket as opposed to the tank floor.

Also, mine pulses, makes kind of loud snapping noises every few seconds. . . this is right, yes?
Also, says not to leave in for more than 5 minutes, okay fine, but in another portion says it automatically turns off. Is this true?
I''m sorry!! I need specific instructions, I''m not about to jack up my new bling because of a stupid user error cleaning it! LOL!
Go ahead, talk to me like I''m 4 yrs old, I clearly need it! Tell me exactly what you do please!

 

[BigDiamonds]

Me too, me too!! LOL
I''ve been using Mr. Clean, Windex, and Dawn with the baby toothbrush. Does some combo of those ingredients work?

I just went to their website and ordered mine. $58 with the 2 year replacement guarantee, tax, and free shipping!

 

[EstateJeweler]

Date: 12/26/2007 4:02:21 PM
Author:ringabling
I posted a thread letting you know they''re half off @ Sharper Image - I picked one up

Mine came w/ VERAH basic instructions, so basic it forgot to tell me to mix the solution w/ water. . . obviously I knew to, but that''s how lacking the instructions are.

I want to make sure I am doing it right.

It came w/ 2 tanks; a large and a small one. It says in one place that both can be used for US cleaning, then in another place it says the large tank and basket is for dipping silver only{?}

Can we or can we not use that plastic basket that comes in the large tank for cleaning our wedding rings?

Can we use hot water?

Also, if we don''t use a basket in the tank at all, is that safe? Feels safer to me to put my bling in a basket as opposed to the tank floor.

Also, mine pulses, makes kind of loud snapping noises every few seconds. . . this is right, yes?

Also, says not to leave in for more than 5 minutes, okay fine, but in another portion says it automatically turns off. Is this true?

I''m sorry!! I need specific instructions, I''m not about to jack up my new bling because of a stupid user error cleaning it! LOL!

Go ahead, talk to me like I''m 4 yrs old, I clearly need it! Tell me exactly what you do please!

The "Non Professional" Ultrasonics sold to the general public are very safe. You can definitely clean your ring in either tank. The basket is good to use in case a stone falls out during the cleaning process. An Ultrasonic machine emits Ultrasonic waves (Duh!) that might cause your stones to move back and forth in the setting. This usually happens if the stone is loose prior to putting it in the machine or if the stone was set improperly. The micro-movements of the diamond can wear away at the metal on the inside of the prongs causing your diamond to fall out of the setting. If the ring is in a basket then you don''t need to try to fish it out of the tank. This is a much more common problem with professional machines that are much stronger but it can happen in any Ultrasonic. Also, it is encouraged to use warm water. When you put a piece of jewelry into an Ultrasonic it''s similar to putting a dirty dish in your dishwasher. You need hot water to wash away the dirt. Don''t expect the machine to get rid of any scratches or nicks in the ring but it will keep your stones clean. Also, you don''t need to buy their solution when you run out. Just mix 1 part ammonia with 3 parts warm water and it will work excellent.

Russell

 

[ringabling]

thanks Russell! Can anyone confirm the sounds it makes, if the big basket is safe for US cleaning, timer, etc. . . .?

Yea BigDiamonds! Glad you snatched one up too!

Date: 12/26/2007 4:38:38 PM
Author: EstateJeweler

Date: 12/26/2007 4:02:21 PM
Author:ringabling
I posted a thread letting you know they're half off @ Sharper Image - I picked one up

Mine came w/ VERAH basic instructions, so basic it forgot to tell me to mix the solution w/ water. . . obviously I knew to, but that's how lacking the instructions are.

I want to make sure I am doing it right.

It came w/ 2 tanks; a large and a small one. It says in one place that both can be used for US cleaning, then in another place it says the large tank and basket is for dipping silver only{?}

Can we or can we not use that plastic basket that comes in the large tank for cleaning our wedding rings?

Can we use hot water?

Also, if we don't use a basket in the tank at all, is that safe? Feels safer to me to put my bling in a basket as opposed to the tank floor.

Also, mine pulses, makes kind of loud snapping noises every few seconds. . . this is right, yes?

Also, says not to leave in for more than 5 minutes, okay fine, but in another portion says it automatically turns off. Is this true?

I'm sorry!! I need specific instructions, I'm not about to jack up my new bling because of a stupid user error cleaning it! LOL!

Go ahead, talk to me like I'm 4 yrs old, I clearly need it! Tell me exactly what you do please!

The 'Non Professional' Ultrasonics sold to the general public are very safe. You can definitely clean your ring in either tank. The basket is good to use in case a stone falls out during the cleaning process. An Ultrasonic machine emits Ultrasonic waves (Duh!) that might cause your stones to move back and forth in the setting. This usually happens if the stone is loose prior to putting it in the machine or if the stone was set improperly. The micro-movements of the diamond can wear away at the metal on the inside of the prongs causing your diamond to fall out of the setting. If the ring is in a basket then you don't need to try to fish it out of the tank. This is a much more common problem with professional machines that are much stronger but it can happen in any Ultrasonic. Also, it is encouraged to use warm water. When you put a piece of jewelry into an Ultrasonic it's similar to putting a dirty dish in your dishwasher. You need hot water to wash away the dirt. Don't expect the machine to get rid of any scratches or nicks in the ring but it will keep your stones clean. Also, you don't need to buy their solution when you run out. Just mix 1 part ammonia with 3 parts warm water and it will work excellent.

Russell

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 12/26/2007 4:33:40 PM
Author: BigDiamonds
Me too, me too!! LOL
I''ve been using Mr. Clean, Windex, and Dawn with the baby toothbrush. Does some combo of those ingredients work?

I just went to their website and ordered mine. $58 with the 2 year replacement guarantee, tax, and free shipping!

I ordered and added the 2 yr. replacement guarantee, too! But mine did not come up with free shipping. So either that offer is off or I didn''t select it correctly! Oh, well! It''s still a whole lot less than the regular price!

Hopefully some of the other girls will comment on their cleaning solution. It seems like I have read that ammonia is not good for white gold and that is why some use Mr. Clean instead. But I would like to know how much to use.

 

[crown1]

i believe richard sherwood recommended 3 to 1 solution. you can do a search for his recommend to be sure. hth.

 

[EstateJeweler]

Date: 12/27/2007 2:25:58 PM
Author: crown1
"everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not to their own facts.

I love your tag line. I belong to another web site where my tag line is:

"It''s just my opinion, I may be wrong!"

Russell

 

[lyra]

Be careful with adding ammonia or windex if you have a white gold setting or prongs. It''s not recommended, and it can damage the finish. It is fine for platinum settings.

Mr. Clean has no ammonia in it, but generics do, so be careful about that too. I use Mr. Clean, Dawn and hot water in mine once a week for cleaning. I sometimes just soak my rings in this same solution.

 

[MrYoung]

Ring o'' bling,

Never put opals, or soft stones in your ultrasonic

Use an old toothbrush for hard to reach areas to loosen the crud

A basket is not "safer"- however it does block some of the ultrasonic waves
Use a basket when:
You have a REALLY dirty ring- sometimes its only the crud that is holding the stones in
You have a ring with many stones- this will make melee recovery much easier

Make sure you dont put your jewelry with stones from warm to (cold or vice versa) rapidly-this will cause thermal shock

Do not leave silver in the cleaner for longer then 7 or so minutes- it will remove/destroy their polish

Do not use silver polish cleaner in the ultrsaonic

You can clean watches if you remove the movement first

A nice touch would be some charged (rouge) polishing cloths- it will give you a simple shine.

Happy-merry-jolly cleaning time!

 

[ringabling]

Thank you MrYoung!

So I can use the large tank w/ US cleaning? it''s not just for silver dip like it says? {actually says once but says elsewhere it okay, UGH}
Also, the snapping noise is normal, that''s the ''waves?


Does everyone follow the 5 minute in solution rule?

Date: 12/27/2007 7:58:51 PM
Author: MrYoung
Ring o'' bling,

Never put opals, or soft stones in your ultrasonic

Use an old toothbrush for hard to reach areas to loosen the crud

A basket is not ''safer''- however it does block some of the ultrasonic waves
Use a basket when:
You have a REALLY dirty ring- sometimes its only the crud that is holding the stones in
You have a ring with many stones- this will make melee recovery much easier

Make sure you dont put your jewelry with stones from warm to (cold or vice versa) rapidly-this will cause thermal shock

Do not leave silver in the cleaner for longer then 7 or so minutes- it will remove/destroy their polish

Do not use silver polish cleaner in the ultrsaonic

You can clean watches if you remove the movement first

A nice touch would be some charged (rouge) polishing cloths- it will give you a simple shine.

Happy-merry-jolly cleaning time!

 

[Lynn B]

I dunno what the snapping noise "is", but yes, it''s normal. It sounds to me like the ignitor of my gas range when I first turn on a burner.

Do a search, there''s a really long thread somewhere with 1,000 "recipes"!

 

[ringabling]

YES! EXACTLY like my cooktop igniting!
Gracias!


I did want to add, I had never heard about not using ammonia on white gold. I have been scrubbing my original wedding ring in 1 part ammonia 2 parts warm water for 9 years and it''s still pure white. . . that''s interesting. . . good to know!

{but wondering why mine is fine

}