New Parts Cleaner...

[darkk]

I picked up a new in the box 20 gallon parts cleaner from a garage sale for $50. about a week or so ago. When I get it assembled, what kind of degreaser/cleaning liquid do you recommend?

 

[Dustin Crawford]

Subscribed! The stuff we have leaves a film. I think there is nothing better than wiping something down with gas, hosing it off, then blowing it dry with air. However that is not the best thing to do. But I am always looking for a clean like that!

 

[Matt M PA]

I use Agitene in my washer. Got it at Grainger...works very well. The first thing I'd check on is to make sure that your washer doesn't require water based solvents.

 

[saabman]

I used to use super agitene, but they cant sell it in Maine anymore. BTW, at least super agitene is water based (you can and should cut it with water). I got rid of my 30 gallon washer and now have a 5 gallon bench top unit with Oil Eater as the fluid. Water based soap. Does a pretty good job and safe for the environment.

 

[catuck]

Anyone ever use simple green? I know it eats aluminum if not rinsed off but it's also safe for the environment.

 

[1967rsss]

Mineral spirits

 

[Shadowdog500]

If it is a metal parts washer go to tractor supply and buy this stuff. It works great, dont stink, and wont eat the paint off of your parts washer or rust out your tank.

Chris

 

[darkk]

I didn't look to see if it needs water based cleaner. If it is, what happens if I use the regulat mineral spirits or psc1000. What water based solvents are recommended?

 

[J Persons]

If the solvent pump is plastic or has plastic parts in it, petroleum based solvents will sooner or later destroy the pump. My cheap HF solvent tank pump lasted about a year before the pump gave up. I took it apart and the impeller was eroded away and fused to the housing. Considering what I paid, I guess you could say I got my moneys worth out of it.

 

[MBfreak]

I work as a hobby mechanic and do some engine work. Cleanliness is high on my agenda, and due ta an accident when I was 19 ( I am 65 now), I can not use petroleum based solvents, since my right hand has very brittle skin and next to no normal nails.
So I have been compelled since a long time ago to find alternatives. The stuff that suits my hands and also does a perfect cleaning job is a liquid vegetable "oil" based on citrus rinds. Scrape off the worst grese/gunk and then submerge the parts in that, do some agitating, brushing every hour and in a day or two he part is spotless. Wash it down with very hot water, blow off water and let it dry off. Spray a very light mist of 5-56 on machined surfaces to prevent surface rust.
And the stuff works on steel, cast iron, brass, copper and aluminium. Use a plastic container when cleaning copper, otherwise there will be some much unwanted electroplating !
In sweden the stuff is called various catchy names like eco-cleaner and what not to drive the price up. I go to a machine shop supply store and buy it in 25 litre can. Obviosly some shops use it as a cutting/cooling fluid at machining as it does not give any allergic reactions.
Ola

 

[strelnik]

I work as a hobby mechanic and do some engine work. Cleanliness is high on my agenda, and due ta an accident when I was 19 ( I am 65 now), I can not use petroleum based solvents, since my right hand has very brittle skin and next to no normal nails.
So I have been compelled since a long time ago to find alternatives. The stuff that suits my hands and also does a perfect cleaning job is a liquid vegetable "oil" based on citrus rinds. Scrape off the worst grese/gunk and then submerge the parts in that, do some agitating, brushing every hour and in a day or two he part is spotless. Wash it down with very hot water, blow off water and let it dry off. Spray a very light mist of 5-56 on machined surfaces to prevent surface rust.
And the stuff works on steel, cast iron, brass, copper and aluminium. Use a plastic container when cleaning copper, otherwise there will be some much unwanted electroplating !
In sweden the stuff is called various catchy names like eco-cleaner and what not to drive the price up. I go to a machine shop supply store and buy it in 25 litre can. Obviosly some shops use it as a cutting/cooling fluid at machining as it does not give any allergic reactions.
Ola

You can get a similar effect with Realemon concentrate, dollar store vinegar and a little vegetable oil, as well. It gets a bit stinky, but you can dump it anywhere. I used to clean small parts whether oily or rusty by filling a 5 gallon can with this mix, then filling my compressor tank (50 gal) with air and then letting it bubble into the mix for about 30 minutes. All my stuff was room temperature and well-cleaned.