Hello, I picked up a really nice parts washer at an estate sale and intend to use it in degreasing/cleaning up old drill presses, vintage electric motors, etc... I'd like to hear from folks about what are some good options for fluid to use in it for those purposes. Suggestions from experience?
Fluid for the parts washer
- Thread starter javie
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harley jim
Well-known member
I'm in,
I have one I bought on letgo and was going to ask the same thing
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I have one I bought on letgo and was going to ask the same thing
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XJSuperman
Well-known member
I picked up 20gal of solvent from Mills Fleet Farm. Came in 5gal buckets and was half the cost of the mineral spirits or washer solvents from an auto parts store. It works great, and works with my washer pump setup.
https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/zecol-mineral-spirits-solvent-5-gal-/0000000243057?Ntt=solvent
Mine actually came in metal buckets but I believe its the same product. Same price too I think.
https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/zecol-mineral-spirits-solvent-5-gal-/0000000243057?Ntt=solvent
Mine actually came in metal buckets but I believe its the same product. Same price too I think.
engineer2
Well-known member
Mineral spirits is about $8/gal. Try to get the odorless kind (sometimes called odorless paint thinner).
Some people like Simple Green.
Some simply buy 1K (or K1) kerosene.
Of course, never use gasoline!
Some people like Simple Green.
Some simply buy 1K (or K1) kerosene.
Of course, never use gasoline!
K'ledgeBldr
Well-known member
Odorless mineral spirits is like $8/qt- not a gal.
Always check the pump in a parts washer- some are made for water-based solvents/cleaners. Older cleaners were usually made for petroleum-based cleaners.
57plymouth
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2011
- Messages
- 74
I use mineral spirits. I found that it was cheapest from Wal Mart of all places. The water based stuff did not work to cut greasy crud when I tried it, plus it smells like dirty diapers.
LeeG
Well-known member
PSC 1000 from tractor supply
Has a pretty high flash point and really works well. I use this in my modified HF parts washer. I do have an upgraded pump in case it goes bad, but no problems yet.
Here is my parts washer build
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=412895
Has a pretty high flash point and really works well. I use this in my modified HF parts washer. I do have an upgraded pump in case it goes bad, but no problems yet.
Here is my parts washer build
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=412895
mslim
Well-known member
Plus one for PSC 1000. Petroleum based but negligible smell and high flash point.
I’ve always used mineral spirits too. It cuts oil, grease, and leaves a very slight film for a little bit of rust protection. I’ll use acetone on the part if I’m going to paint it. Minerals spirits can be found anywhere and flash point is higher than something like gasoline.
DFB
Well-known member
Mineral Spirits
I also use the PSC 1000
I also use the PSC 1000
SGKent
Banned
White spirits, Mineral spirits, and Stoddard solvent are essentially one in the same. It will burn and it will flash but much higher than gasoline. Keep the unit in a place away from sparks and open flames. I use it in my Safety Kleen parts washer. Late model parts washers sold el cheapo for water based solvents do not have the proper pumps or fire triggered lids.
harley jim
Well-known member
What is everyone's opinion of purple power
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WILD-BILL
Well-known member
I also use the PSC 1000 
MileHighRover
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2018
- Messages
- 1,126
Purple Power is weak. The best water-based degreaser I've ever used, and I've been using it for two decades now, is Super Clean degreaser. I've never found it cheaper than Walmart - $9 a gallon. Not for use on aluminum, though.
Jagmandave
Well-known member
I've used the stuff from Tractor Supply too and it works just fine, but my first choice is Crystal Clear (Clean?), they're like Safety Kleen, but much less expensive......I paid $167 delivered for 25 gal and they took away the old solvent....that's the best part.
SK wanted $426 delivered!
I found them online and just called, they came out the next day - I'm about due to have it replaced again.
SK wanted $426 delivered!
I found them online and just called, they came out the next day - I'm about due to have it replaced again.
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fsae0607
Well-known member
PSC1000 and mineral spirits in mine.
I had a five gallon washer with mineral spirits and upgraded recently to a 20 gallon. Filled it with PSC1000 and poured the mineral spirits into it. Works great!
I had a five gallon washer with mineral spirits and upgraded recently to a 20 gallon. Filled it with PSC1000 and poured the mineral spirits into it. Works great!
greg13
Well-known member
Shadowdog500
Well-known member
Is it a metal parts washer or a plastic parts washer?
For a metal parts washer I’d definitely use the PSC-1000 from tractor supply. (I use this in mine)
For a plastic parts washer you may want to look at a water based cleaner.
I doubt you picked up a special parts washer like an ozzyjuice one that has a heater.
Do you have a picture of the parts washer?
I lost my original parts washer in a fire, So i bought some of the cleaner from TSC just to use out of the can.
IMO, it does not work as good as plain old OMS.
I had to clean some casters from a used engine hoist. It would not cut the grease like OMS would have.
IMO, it does not work as good as plain old OMS.
I had to clean some casters from a used engine hoist. It would not cut the grease like OMS would have.
Lou's Garage
Well-known member
Whichever solvent you decide on, here's some advice that's worked for me. Simply put, don't fill your machine. For example, I have an old commercial unit that holds 7 gallons and I've found that I can get by on about 2. When it evaporates enough to reduce the flow, I add more. The solvent lasts a long time under these conditions and debris seems to settle out better. When it is time for a change, there is not as much used fluid to dispose and the debris just scrapes up off the bottom.
Lou
Lou
I use solvents from garage/estate sales - pretty sure I have a mix of mineral spirits and kerosene in there now. You can generally gets gal cans of various “fullness” for anywhere from free to $1-2 around here.
Sorry, I do not have a picture, but it is this one:
"https://www.grainger.com/product/GRAYMILLS-Parts-Washer-4KTW7"
Thanks for the advice. The unit does say it'll operate fine with like half the capacity, too, so I'll definitely try that Lou.
engineer2
Well-known member
Must vary around the country:
https://www.menards.com/main/paint/...emium-paint-thinner/803g1/p-1444444213131.htm
it's $9/gal around here.
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slackdaddy1
Well-known member
I view water based parts cleaner like I view water based stains--- USELESS!!!
Jagmandave
Well-known member
The safety solvent I bought was $167 for 25 gallons, or $6.68 a gallon....delivered in a nice clean barrel, and they took away the old solvent.
Shadowdog500
Well-known member
That parts washer uses regular solvent. Use the psc1000 from tractor supply.
If you put water based cleaners in it it will start to rust out.
I use psc 1000 and keep the lid closed on my solvent tank and haven't had any issues with evaporation.
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pancho400cid
Well-known member
PSC 1000 in mine. I put 10 gallons in 4 years ago (not cheap). No noticeable drop in level. I do make sure to close the lid. Not "amazing" but "okay". It does not seem to have the same bite as Varsol from days gone by but I think it is less toxic/carcinogenic.
I guess I would consider water-based solvent IF my parts washer was plastic, but the guy who owned my metal 30 gallon before me had water-based solvent in it, which lifted the paint and caused some rust pits.
......
I guess I would consider water-based solvent IF my parts washer was plastic, but the guy who owned my metal 30 gallon before me had water-based solvent in it, which lifted the paint and caused some rust pits.
......
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vwracer
Well-known member
I need a new pump for my parts washer. Where can they be bought?
MFolks
Well-known member
Amazon sells them,I understand.
Also make sure the new pump is rated for the type of solvent you use - regular or water based.
damon18
ALLIANCE MEMBER
After way overthinking this for a while I bought a small benchtop parts washer from Jegs, they were offering a package deal with two gallons of their degreaser.
https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/72302/10002/-1
I was a skeptical because of all the scoffing I read about water based degreaser.
But it works well for me, I'm pretty impressed and have also used ot diluted in a spray bottle.
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https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/72302/10002/-1
I was a skeptical because of all the scoffing I read about water based degreaser.
But it works well for me, I'm pretty impressed and have also used ot diluted in a spray bottle.
Sent from my SM-G973U using The Garage Journal mobile app
BillK
Well-known member
The biggest issue with parts washer solvents is getting rid of the dirty stuff. Thats why Safety Kleen or Crystal Clean makes sense like Jagman said. I wonder if the Safety Kleen guy did not understand what he was looking for though because they are both about the same price around here.
Metallitubby
Well-known member
At the risk of sounding like a spammer or bot (which I'm not mind-you), our race team is sponsored by GTech Cleaner.
1. It's water-based.
2. It's safe.
3. It isn't a solvent.
4. It can be filtered (we use coffee filters once a month)
5. Yes, it's expensive but it works.
1. It's water-based.
2. It's safe.
3. It isn't a solvent.
4. It can be filtered (we use coffee filters once a month)
5. Yes, it's expensive but it works.