Topic: cleaning parts liquid... what do you use?

[xsmooth69x]

thinking about picking up a 20 gallon parts washer. so what do you all use for washing?

i have been reading about the water based stuff and heard that either the green stuff or purple stuff etches or stains some kinds of metal?

should i just use diesel? i heard diesel left a kind of film on the parts when your done washing so should i just go mineral spirits.... but its $$$$

also i live in MN and the parts washer will be in a un heated garage. if i go with water based cleaners do i have to drain the parts cleaner or will the stuff that you mix in with the water prevent it from freezing?

[dave500]

kerosine.

[tomkimberly]

I prefer to use diesel, some like kerosene. Any remaining film is easily washed off with soap and water.


Tom

[Nic]

I just pour some of my lawn mowing 2 stroke petrol into a baking tray and away we go.

[johno]

Buying degreasing oil is expensive for a part time user, I mix two thirds diesel, one third degreaser with a dash of caustic...........wear gloves man !   then to finish off I use a spray gun with truck wash straight then pressure clean with water gurni pressure cleaner ................. I use a Moroso brush kit to scrape oil galleries and passages,......................... 10 times if glass beads have been used.

[trueblue]

At work I just use Jet A1, aka kero mixed with a little Baridol, which is a degreaser.  With the baridol mixed in once you are finished just a quick wash with the hose and you're done .

[bollingball]

kerosine.

+1 The parts washer instructions will warn against this mine did but I have been using it for years with the same pump. On a side note get the flex hose with the brush it is handy.
Ken

[xsmooth69x]

ya i buying the harbor freight parts washer. i know it says water based only but I have read plenty of reviews that you can run mineral spirits or petroleum product through it without destroying the pump or something. even if it does a pump is cheap.

ok ill try some diesel out. is it really stinky?

[70CB750]

Just dont use diesel to clean brake drums 

Here is how I know:

In military this dumb officer made us clean truck brake drums in diesel fuel  -  we knew better, but order is an order  . 

You would not believe how surprised he was when trucks would have no brakes.

[xsmooth69x]

Just dont use diesel to clean brake drums 

Here is how I know:

In military this dumb officer made us clean truck brake drums in diesel fuel  -  we knew better, but order is an order  . 

You would not believe how surprised he was when trucks would have no brakes.

because you didnt rinse of the diesel when you where finished?

also anyone use this psc 1000 stuff you get at tractor supply stores. i heard alot of forums that raved about the stuff

[dave500]

diesel ages darkens and grows fungus in it,kerosine almost dries away itself.

[greenjeans]

kerosene.

[KRONUS0100]

i use diesel or kerosene mainly because that is whats available here on the farm

[lone*X]

Kerosene all the way.  Diesel stinks too much and it doesn't last as long in the washer.   Only redeeming factor with diesel is availability.  You can get it anywhere.  But kerosene beats it hands down.

[RAFster122s]

Turpentine works well but kerosene is cheaper in the quantities you need for a parts washer.

Volatility is good with either as they don't have the explosion risk of other more dagerous aromatic solvents. But, just be safe with open flames and grinding near them.

[kghost]

Varsol in the USA. Basically mineral spirits but made as a solvent.

Shellite in Australia, but it's flammable naphtha based

[dusterdude]

A customer of mine uses purple power and water in his cleaner

[bollingball]

ya i buying the harbor freight parts washer. i know it says water based only but I have read plenty of reviews that you can run mineral spirits or petroleum product through it without destroying the pump or something. even if it does a pump is cheap.

ok ill try some diesel out. is it really stinky?

It is called mechanics colone
Ken

[Muckinfuss]

I use Blaster in the five gallon pail.  I don't need a washer because the lid can be pulled off and put back on.  Much higher flash point than anything that goes into an internal combustion engine.  I put the part in the bucket, brush it down to clean it and move on to the next part or close things up.  Works on my car parts too.   Faster, better, cheaper in my opinion.

[xsmooth69x]

I use Blaster in the five gallon pail.  I don't need a washer because the lid can be pulled off and put back on.  Much higher flash point than anything that goes into an internal combustion engine.  I put the part in the bucket, brush it down to clean it and move on to the next part or close things up.  Works on my car parts too.   Faster, better, cheaper in my opinion.

whats a blaster?

[george]

Varsol in the USA. Basically mineral spirits but made as a solvent.

Shellite in Australia, but it's flammable naphtha based

Wish I could find some of the Varsol from back in the 70's, Todays stuff is about as effective as the new and emproved carb cleaner "Berrymans Chem Dip" useless stuff. My Mom could always tell when I had hung out at the Cycle Shop by my smell !

[dusterdude]

I use Blaster in the five gallon pail.  I don't need a washer because the lid can be pulled off and put back on.  Much higher flash point than anything that goes into an internal combustion engine.  I put the part in the bucket, brush it down to clean it and move on to the next part or close things up.  Works on my car parts too.   Faster, better, cheaper in my opinion.

whats a blaster?

i think he means pb blaster,good stuff

[Lostboy Steve]

Purple power seriously destroys aluminum tho. I used Diesel or Kerosene in my parts washer. No it is not located near heat or flame source and well ventilated. Just make sure to wear gloves. Works very well.

[Lostboy Steve]

Varsol in the USA. Basically mineral spirits but made as a solvent.

Shellite in Australia, but it's flammable naphtha based

Wish I could find some of the Varsol from back in the 70's, Todays stuff is about as effective as the new and emproved carb cleaner "Berrymans Chem Dip" useless stuff. My Mom could always tell when I had hung out at the Cycle Shop by my smell !

My grandfather used to use the #$%* out of Varsol.

[Bodi]

The harbour freight/princess auto parts washers say "water based" for safety regulations I think, but they work OK with solvent. The pump and hose are not solvent proof though. The pump may fail soon and the hose gets stiff as glass if you pick the wrong solvent - kerosene seems ok, varsol not so good.
Beware of the vapours that are of course flammable. If your house burns down because of a fire started there you may have insurance problems.
Auto shops almost all use water based cleaning solutions but they usually have a service take care of it - replacing the solution periodically and taking care of disposal. Disposing of dirty water based or solvent cleaner is difficult to do "legally". The water based solvents do an amazing job of removing grease but they also attack aluminum since they are usually strong alkalis, so take care if you use them. Keep exposure time to a minimum and rinse super well.