I just bought a small 5lb vibratory tumbler and also an ultrasonic cleaner from Harbor Freight. I'm wondering about the best way to utilize these for cleaning and polishing small metal parts.
I've tried rusty screws and bolts in the ultrasonic cleaner - does not remove rust and does not polish. I think the strength of the ultrasonic cleaner is to remove dirt and grime from metal and plastic, and it seems to work great to clean old plastic pinball posts, and to clean old EM metal pinball parts/reels that have been caked with old lube and grease.
For polishing metal parts like rusty screws, post caps, carriage bolts, ball gates, what is the best way to maximize the vibratory tumbler?
What I've tried:
1. Soaking rusted parts in Metal Rescue. This does remove rust, but darkens and discolors many screws, washers, etc, and I can't get them bright and shiny.
2. Running them unsoaked in the tumbler with ground walnut shells. This does not remove rust very well. It does polish already shiny surfaces, but if there is any darkening or discoloration of the metal, it does not make it bright and shiny again. Also does not remove metal rust pitting.
3. Tried adding a little brasso into the walnut shells and tumbled again. No difference.
What media/soaking regiment works best to get all screws nice and bright and shiny again?
Thanks a lot!
I've tried rusty screws and bolts in the ultrasonic cleaner - does not remove rust and does not polish. I think the strength of the ultrasonic cleaner is to remove dirt and grime from metal and plastic, and it seems to work great to clean old plastic pinball posts, and to clean old EM metal pinball parts/reels that have been caked with old lube and grease.
For polishing metal parts like rusty screws, post caps, carriage bolts, ball gates, what is the best way to maximize the vibratory tumbler?
What I've tried:
1. Soaking rusted parts in Metal Rescue. This does remove rust, but darkens and discolors many screws, washers, etc, and I can't get them bright and shiny.
2. Running them unsoaked in the tumbler with ground walnut shells. This does not remove rust very well. It does polish already shiny surfaces, but if there is any darkening or discoloration of the metal, it does not make it bright and shiny again. Also does not remove metal rust pitting.
3. Tried adding a little brasso into the walnut shells and tumbled again. No difference.
What media/soaking regiment works best to get all screws nice and bright and shiny again?
Thanks a lot!

