ok, when I clean my watch parts in a ultra sonic cleaner, I will float a glass jar in the ultrasonic, inside the jar is a ultra sonic cleaner (non water based), and the large parts are free, with the smaller parts in a tea strainer.
I have read where some people use water based cleaners for their watch parts, but personally I do not, the risk of rust resulting from the water based clean is to high for me, and I use a rinse product that neutralizes the cleaner and also helps protect the metal on the molecular level.
As far as your “ink” issue goes, more then likely it is just dirt, I have never had the ink in the markings lift off in the cleaner, ultra sonic or not.. if it’s actually ink, then you can leave it without, or get a micro brush and some black paint and re-do it, personally I would leave it, if we are talking about early pocket watches, I like to restore them, but not refinish them… ie.. I do not polish out scratches, repaint, or other wise remove any of the wear and tear that a watch gets. But that is my personal choice… if you feel the need to re-touch it, that is your choice..
