cleaning fluids for parts washer

[crankshaftdan II]

I have read several threads on the above subject and was wondering via all the people on gj that use a parts washer in their home garages? The reason for the question is that I just picked-up a commercial type washer in pieces and would like to set this up for my home garage for light duty tool and parts cleaning. Would like to have input on the water based vs mineral spirits vs kerosene or other not to flammable cleaners. My previous tub came from a industrial shop and the cleaner would eat the coating off the hd gloves and the smell would take your breath away when opening the lid-did a hell of a job of de-greasing-probably will die from the big "C" just from being around the stuff!! Figure I can get the job done with some greener fluids.
I read the thread on the filter system-sounds like a good idea to save on replacement cost of fluid. Please input on suggestions!

 

[Dragster Racer]

I use mineral spirits, and the smell isn't too bad. It is unlikely to freeze too, which was a concern before my new shop. I have never been all that impressed with the ability of the water based ones, plus you have to protect the parts immediately if they are prone to rusting.

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

Right now I have a Graymills product "Aquatene" in my cleaner, it was an experiment, anyhow, its a water based cleaner, Ive got it mixed at the recommended strongest mixture, but it needs heat to work properly, and my cleaner does have heat. So if you look into the Aqueous cleaners, make sure your cleaner is set up for them. I thought it might work good enought to use without the heat, but it really needs the heat.

 

[mikeceli]

Mineral spirts 10 years HF washer.

 

[BriggsBodied28]

Agitene w/Lanoline.

Grainger or Production Tool

 

[brownfoot]

HF-type tank with kerosene, actually 2, a "dirty" one and a clean one, leaves some oily residue from the kerosene but for most things is fine
I usually drain and clean the "dirty" one once a year, disposed of in the motor oil recycling tank at the local landfill
I have had no pump issues, in fact kerosene is one of the recommended fluids, and it cleans hands and small cuts, some people are not happy with the odor though.

 

[Bigpigdave]

I have Farm Bureau Co-op Parts cleaning fluid (90% Mineral Spirits) in my parts washer in the shop. It has worked over 15 years in my parts cleaner (cheap farm store unit, similar to HF), no pump problems. The best parts cleaning fluid I have ever used is gasoline, although I can't really recommend it due to its flammability. The second best fluid is the stuff from Safety-Klean, not sure of it's formulation but it really worked well. Straight mineral spirits works alright but doesn't really "touch" heavy, dried grease deposits. I haven't found anything readily available to the home shop that does.
Good luck, Dave

 

[Matt M PA]

I have agitene in my Graymills. It is very effective.

 

[nate379]

Stoddard Solvent and also search on here for more info, this exact question comes up a few times a month it seems.

 

[hydramatic]

mineral spirits

 

[Greatbear]

I've been using a Drydene mineral spirits-type solvent for years in my Graymills. It's similar to the Agitene solvent.

 

[crankshaftdan II]

GREAT REPLIES! Keep u'm comming, I was just at menard's today and picked up a gallon of mineral spirits @ $10.40 a gallon! The local farm and fleet has two types in 5 gallon buckets-water based I believe?? About $45.00 for five gallons. Local auto stores have a simular type about the same price range! I have tried purple cleaner and the citirus-orange cleaners in the past in the wife's laundry tubs (caught hell for that one) doesn't seem to take off much grease or real oily residue. The unit I picked up looks to hold quite a lot of gallons so $$$ will certanely play into the picture here!
Will probably empty the bad stuff into my oil change waste bucket and take to the local recycleing center and dump it off. They sell all the waste oil to local large asphalt co. for heating the burners for asphalt recycling. I thought they might sell it to an outfit like Safety-Kleen who recycles oil for the second time around??
Does anyone else use a different type of filter system other than an oil filter?
How about a string or foam filer system like in a water filter system??
Any suggestions veryuch appreciated. Cranky

 

[3bay]

I've used the Agitene solvent for years and works well, my Buddy uses Simple Green in his but don't know how good it works.

 

[nate379]

That is a great price.


Water filter is what I have on mine.

I was just at menard's today and picked up a gallon of mineral spirits @ $10.40 a gallon!
The local farm and fleet has two types in 5 gallon buckets-water based I believe?? About $45.00 for five gallons.

Does anyone else use a different type of filter system other than an oil filter?

 

[barney rubble]

K1 kerosene. Used it for years and like it. Oh yeah its only about $3.50 a gallon. Gunk makes a addative for it that helps boost the power also.

 

[Fastback]

I use the Kerosene with the additives that give it surfactant and boost its cleaning performance. Its the best thing if you cant get the real stuff from Saf-T-Kleen.

 

[krooser]

I use a solvent cleaning solution sold by my local pressure washer store...ain't cheap but works great.

My next project will be to install a filter to clean the solvent...

 

[maxwedge]

Just a warning to anyone using a pressure washer with solvents in it...

It is extremely easy to cause an airless injection injury with a pressure washer and solvents( or airless paint guns, or direct injection fuel systems, or hydraulic systems too). An increase in the last few years of people cleaning decks and driveways have resulted in lots of TSP (tri-sodium phosphate) and other solvent injection injuries that often result in amputation of fingers, toes or even entire limbs, because people don't realize the severity of what happened until it's too late. Basically it barely hurts when it happens, so it's treated as a minor wound and ignored until 48 hours later when gangrene sets in. I had to do a training on this for work, so it's fresh in my mind. I'd post up some pictures, but trust me you probably don't want to see them.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I just put together a 20 gallon portable parts washer from Tractor Supply. I am thinking of putting Odorless Kerosene mixed with Odorless Mineral Sprits. Anyone try this combination?

I was also thinking of adding a car oil filter system to the inlet section the pump. Anyone do that here? If so, were there any issues with the pump drawing the combination through the filter?

Chris

 

[AMCguy]

Did you know that mineral spirits and regular paint thinner are the exact same product. They are simply called two different names for marketing purposes. You can save a couple of bucks a gallon if you buy thinner.

 

[Graymills - Craig]

Did you know that mineral spirits and regular paint thinner are the exact same product. They are simply called two different names for marketing purposes. You can save a couple of bucks a gallon if you buy thinner.

AMCguy;

While it's true that some people use the words interchangeably, "mineral spirits" is a specific term whereas "paint thinner" is not. Paint thinner can be one of a dozen or more chemicals, including such health nasties as MEK, Xylene, Toluene, and others. Mineral spirits are normally Hexane.

As a note, Toluene is one of the components of glue that gets huffed.

Cheers;
Craig Shields
Graymills

 

[AMCguy]

AMCguy;

While it's true that some people use the words interchangeably, "mineral spirits" is a specific term whereas "paint thinner" is not. Paint thinner can be one of a dozen or more chemicals, including such health nasties as MEK, Xylene, Toluene, and others. Mineral spirits are normally Hexane.

As a note, Toluene is one of the components of glue that gets huffed.

Cheers;
Craig Shields
Graymills

Thanks Craig, I totally agree. I understand there are many products out there that require thinning and their manufacturers all specify a certain thinner.

My point is (my Wife says it's on top of my head) if you went to Home Depot for instance, the jug of regular general purpose paint thinner in the paint isle contains mineral spirits. In fact, paint thinner, mineral spirits, solvent and Varsol are all mineral spirits.

Most paint manufacturers will specify "mineral spirits" because they don't want the consumer to use the wrong thinner.

General purpose paint thinner out sells mineral spirits by a large margin. At a large store you will likely see four or five times as much of it on the shelf. Furthermore, the 3.78 litre or one US gallon size is the fastest seller. It is for those reasons that you will find it the pest priced option.

This was all explained to me in a recent conversation with a senior rep from Recochem.

http://www.recochem.com/files/downloads/SOLVENT_brochure_English.pdf