parts washer cleaning solvent recommendations??

[ng8264723]

I have an Amazon credit if there is an Amazon solvent. I want to get my tank up and running it is an old CEE GEE model

 

[vpd66]

I go to a local Fleet Farm and buy bulk K1 kerosene. Its usually $3-$4 a gallon. I then add a quart of ATF for every 5 gallons of K1. I then buy some fuel fragrance and add it to that so it doesn't have a chemical smell.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Mineral spirits is what we always used in the parts washers at any of the garages I worked at.

 

[seber]

You can use almost any solvent, but Stoddard solvent is the correct thing.

 

[txvwnut]

I get mine from Northern Tool. Haven’t bought any in a while since I always over buy but the last time I bought a five gallon pail it was around seventy bucks.

 

[B_Bimmer]

I go to a local Fleet Farm and buy bulk K1 kerosene. Its usually $3-$4 a gallon. I then add a quart of ATF for every 5 gallons of K1. I then buy some fuel fragrance and add it to that so it doesn't have a chemical smell.

That sounds really cheap and effective.

 

[Zapp Branigan]

I added a heater/heater controller to my parts washer, and just use Simple Green and water. Works great.

 

[lardy1]

Are most cleaners compatible? I have a used Saf-T-Kleen but really can't verify that it has their solvent in it. I'm wondering about adding more to it.

 

[matt_i]

Tractor Supply Crown PSC 1000 solvent.

Assuming its a petrochemical solvent and not a basic-aqueous solvent. Usually the ones with a heater are the aqueous version.

 

[vanapplebomb]

X2 on the PSC1000. Cuts through grease nicely. Not super volatile stuff, but flashes off with compressed air in short order leaving a nice clean and dry surface.

 

[TriumphFan]

Kerosene. Find a place that sells it by the gallon for home heaters.

 

[seber]

Kerosene. Find a place that sells it by the gallon for home heaters.

Kerosene is available at your local gas station. It is known as number one diesel.

 

[A66Challenger]

I use this with kerosene. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ABIDJE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[vanapplebomb]

Diesel and Kerosene cut grease well, but I don’t like that they both leave a residue, which then has to be cleaned off with acetone or another solvent prior to painting. A good solvent based parts cleaner will cut grease and flash off nice and clean all in one go.

 

[PhantomEB]

Straight up solvent.

I need to plumb mine up for a remote tank with filter to get the **** cleaner.

 

[vpd66]

That sounds really cheap and effective.

Yes, works has good has anything I've found and its cheap.

 

[vpd66]

I use this with kerosene. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ABIDJE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I've tried that but really didn't notice any difference then using straight kerosene.

 

[zmotorsports]

I've had great results with ZEP Dyna145 solvent. Been using it for the past 20 or so years now, although don't really have any experience with anything else.

 

[Bogie1632]

PRF-680 (Mil-PRF-680, not to be confused with PD 680 which has long been cancelled but small stashes still seems to pop up from time to time). Good stuff.

Short of that, as ypd66 suggested, kerosene and ATF mix works very well and is my go-to for the small amount of parts I clean in my home garage.

V/R
Bogie

 

[Old Man Roger]

I've had great results with ZEP Dyna145 solvent. Been using it for the past 20 or so years now, although don't really have any experience with anything else.

Might be 143.

 

[zmotorsports]

Might be 143.

I think you're right. Dyna143

Thanks

 

[dkmc]

I've used "Stoddard solvent- Varsol" for years. But now the oil supply house local that sold it in bulk has closed. I put a couple gallons of K1 Kero in with the solvent that was left, and it seems to clean good. Does leave an oily film on the parts. I may mix in a couple gallons of 'paint thinner' from wally mart, but it's $14/gal here which seems ridiculous.

FWIW, I have about 5 gallons of water in the bottom of the tank. Solvent floats on top, dirt sinks to the bottom into the water. Solvent stays much cleaner.

 

[lis2323]

I've used "Stoddard solvent- Varsol" for years. But now the oil supply house local that sold it in bulk has closed. I put a couple gallons of K1 Kero in with the solvent that was left, and it seems to clean good. Does leave an oily film on the parts. I may mix in a couple gallons of 'paint thinner' from wally mart, but it's $14/gal here which seems ridiculous.

FWIW, I have about 5 gallons of water in the bottom of the tank. Solvent floats on top, dirt sinks to the bottom into the water. Solvent stays much cleaner.

We used to get Stoddard solvent delivered in 55 gallon drums on the farm when I was young.

It was sold and marketed by Shell Oil Canada as “Agricultural Weed Killer No 1” a selective herbicide for carrots. Approved by Agriculture Canada for use on carrot seedlings up to the three leaf stage to control broadleaf weeds.

I still love the smell of that stuff. [emoji1]


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[BDT/NWMN]

I buy mineral spirits intended for parts washer use from the local parts houses, Fleet Farm or Tractor Supply Stores for around $7.50 to $10 per gallon.

 

[dkmc]

I buy mineral spirits intended for parts washer use from the local parts houses, Fleet Farm or Tractor Supply Stores for around $7.50 to $10 per gallon.

$7.50/Gallon is very reasonable these days. TS has it here, but it's around $10 per gallon. What brand and where are you getting it at $7.50?

 

[BDT/NWMN]

$7.50/Gallon is very reasonable these days. TS has it here, but it's around $10 per gallon. What brand and where are you getting it at $7.50?

Local TSC had the 5 gallon cans of mineral spirits intended for parts washers at under $38 this past summer. Looks like they no longer list this product on their website, but do have a different five gallon can of parts cleaner solvent that sells for $44.95.

They list mineral spirits in the one gallon- - jugs in the painting supplies; with a considerable spread in price between the two types they carry.( $10 and $14,95). Being these painting supply versions have a lower flash point, I don't like to use them in the parts washer.

Looks like the $44.95 five gallon can is the current best buy at TSC..

 

[wafrederick]

Problem with mineral spirits is some people can't be around it,my youngest brother is one of them.It irritates his skin.Me,it burns and dries out my skin leaving rashes although I wear gloves.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Problem with mineral spirits is some people can't be around it,my youngest brother is one of them.It irritates his skin.Me,it burns and dries out my skin leaving rashes although I wear gloves.

It is fortunate that there are a variety of alternatives to choose from.

 

[tulowd]

I've owned a Burgess industrial grade parts washer since 1995; it was old when I bought it from a Good Year Auto Centre that was closing. Put in a new pump and been great ever since; it's built like the proverbial brick outhouse.
I first tried to buy industrial cleaner but the sales guy at Safe-t-Kleen talked me into using Varsol due to it's higher flash point; the other stuff is all a no no for home use here. I've only ever run Varsol in it, fluid gets exchanged once a year, more often if I'm doing real dirty car part stuff. I just buy a new 5 gall bucket every time so no mess - just fill up the new bucket and switch over the lid, which has a frame and the pump built in. Old bucket gets a new lid snapped on and goes to the recycle place.

Notice: Surfaces still need to be wiped down with alcohol and or degreaser before the;re ready for priming painting, as Varsol does leave a residue. Also attacks rubber (makes it rock hard) and some plastics.

Love having it and it serves as a work surface, in this case as my router table stand.

 

[mercifiknow]

How to tell what’s good for aluminum parts such as valve covers for an old Mercedes?


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[M6erfan]

How to tell what’s good for aluminum parts such as valve covers for an old Mercedes?


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Varsol/mineral spits/kerosene etc... won't damage aluminum. If you want a water based cleaner look to Extreme Simple Green® Aircraft & Precision Cleaner. Stay away from caustic cleaners like SuperClean, they 'eat' aluminum.

 

[mercifiknow]

Varsol/mineral spits/kerosene etc... won't damage aluminum. If you want a water based cleaner look to Extreme Simple Green[emoji768] Aircraft & Precision Cleaner. Stay away from caustic cleaners like SuperClean, they 'eat' aluminum.

Thanks M6! Not many covers like mine and don’t want it damaged


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[tulowd]

Thanks M6! Not many covers like mine and don’t want it damaged


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Initial cleaning, especially inside should be varsol or similar material with a brush.


Vapor Blasting is a thing used by my good friend John Connery who paints high level restoration motorcycles. Doesn't harm aluminum.

Depending on the surface texture and detail and your final desired look, you could also use WD40 (which will soak into the porous alum and mean you should keep using it to clean them from now on).

When I build alum panels for my car I use sandpaper in increasing grit numbers, lubed with WD40, then a Scotchbrite pad and finally stainless steel wool with....WD40. Not everyone's cup of tea but It's worked for me for 40 yrs.

Washing it / soaking in hot water will release the WD40 but it takes a bit of work.
Polished or smooth brushed finish loves Mothers Billet polish as a final step by hand or one of their sponge based drill attachments.

 

[Burgerkong]

Not sure why people recommend kerosene. When I use a parts washer, I want stuff to come out WITHOUT oil. What's the point when I have to go back over it with other solvents?

 

[wafrederick]

It is fortunate that there are a variety of alternatives to choose from.

I knew a transmission repair shop owner that could not be in contact with it,his skin would break out bad in contact with it

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Not sure why people recommend kerosene. When I use a parts washer, I want stuff to come out WITHOUT oil. What's the point when I have to go back over it with other solvents?

Kerosene or #1 diesel or #1 fuel oil are low cost cleaning alternatives for applications where the oil film is not an issue.

They are also good alternatives for use in a second parts washer which is used to wash and soak the extra grimy parts. After these parts are reasonably clean, and if required, the cleanup can be finished in the regular parts washer. I make/take these little extra efforts to keep the main parts washer a bit cleaner.

 

[Jagmandave]

I buy actual parts cleaning solvent from Crystal Clean - they deliver a 30 gal drum to my shop and haul off the old one to recycle - costs $167 delivered. Convenient, easy and usually the same day delivery. That's less than $6 a gallon....

 

[lis2323]

Adding a filter to your parts washer will help....






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[tulowd]

Adding a filter to your parts washer will help....






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Great! Now I have another project to do, thx a lot!!

Seriously tho - great idea, especially if the pump pickup is not on the very bottom.

 

[TriumphFan]

Not sure why people recommend kerosene. When I use a parts washer, I want stuff to come out WITHOUT oil. What's the point when I have to go back over it with other solvents?

No big deal to take it outside and hit it with some Simple Green and the hose.