Anyone tried solvents in HF Parts Washers?

I asked this question before, at the tail end of an older post about Parts Washers. But I am in a bind right now, and REALLY need the advice of more-experienced Garage Journal members...as soon as possible, please. So I hope you will all forgive the redundant nature of this post.

Okay, yesterday I bought a cheapo 20-gallon parts washer from Harbor Freight, as a temporary solution until I can find and buy an affordable used Safety Kleen (or similar) unit. I had just stopped in at HF during an errand in the area, and just happened to catch their parts washers on sale (PLUS I took advantage of a Garage Journal member tip that I could get a 20% coupon if I asked persistently enough). So, my total cost was $71, plus I bought their extended warranty...in case I screw up the pump.

For that cost i could use it a few months, and throw it in the dumpster, and still be satisfied. I will use it very lightly. I'm just a hobbiest.

I assembled the parts washer last night, and now I'm ready to add my degreaser solution. I had originally planned to use mineral spirits. But right there in black and white on the instruction booklet it says to NOT use solvent-based solutions. RATS!

Now I am wondering whether that warning is just some lawyer-written "Cover-our-corporate-***" disclaimer copy, due to liability concerns about fire or "California toxicity" issues, or if it might be a legitimate warning because solvents will eat away at seals and other internal pump components? (I read a post on Garage Journal where someone claimed this pump is nothing but a fish-pond pump, intended for clear water).

Hence my question: Has anyone on Garage Journal bought and used one of these cheap HF Parts Washer units with Solvent-based degreasers? And if so, how long did the pump last?

And some side questions...IF I slowly ruin the pump that came with this tank...are solvent-safe pumps readily available? If so, are they affordable? And, am I correct in assuming it will be no big deal to replace the cheapo HF pump with a different pump?

Thanks SO much for any help you can offer!!

I was Mineral spirits in the stock pump with no problems. Here is how I modified my unit;
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28460&highlight=parts+washer

Yes. The HF parts washer you see in this photo has this solvent in it that we got from Advance Auto since we got it. It's held up fine...



Also, the solvent works fairly well, as well.

I run mineral spirits in mine.

Yep, one filled with Safety Kleen solvent and another filled with the Tractor Supply parts washer solvent (which BTW, is better than the Safety Kleen). The one filled with Safety Kleen has been in use for five years, and when it is time to drain, it will get the TSC solvent.

I have a HF parts washer that I have had Kerosene for about 5 years now with no problems.

Great news!!!!

Thanks SO MUCH, gang!

All jokes aside, I REALLY needed this info. I have greasy antique tools stacking up everywhere, and I want to run many of them through Evaporust to clean off the rust, but I learned from Bolster (I think it was Bolster?) that you must get all oil and grease off before using EOR, or you ruin the rust-fighting chemical power.

So now, FINALLY, I can get the chemicals I need, and put them into my finished HF Parts Washer. I'll check with TSC tomorrow, along with a couple of sources I have for Mineral Spirits. Then I'll compare those costs against #1 kerosene, and make a final decision. So by tomorrow night, I hope to be in business, degreasing old tools in my garage.

Thanks again!!

Oh yeah, run whatever solvent you want and don't worry about the lawyer sticker in there. I was in your shoes some years ago, and I'm glad I didn't let the sticker deter me. Also, the water based cleaner that I used at first was completely useless in an un-heated washer. All it did was make a slimy mess.

Major Ramifications said:

Oh yeah, run whatever solvent you want and don't worry about the lawyer sticker in there. I was in your shoes some years ago, and I'm glad I didn't let the sticker deter me. Also, the water based cleaner that I used at first was completely useless in an un-heated washer. All it did was make a slimy mess.

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Thanks, Major!

That's exactly the type of straight answer I was needing. I definitely prefer cleaning parts with solvent, like I did as a boy in the old days. But I feared that the pump couldn't take it. Now I'm on my way TODAY to buy 10-15 gallons of mineral spirits, and grateful that I can skip the mistake of water-based degreasers in my little home garage, and avoid the slimy mess you referred to.

Thanks again!

Wait until you see what the price of mineral spirits is nowadays. The cheapest parts washer solvent I have found is the stuff they sell at TSC. I haven't tried it, as I had already purchased the stuff at Advance Auto. Last time I was at Advance, it had gone up to $75 for a 5 gallon pail.

Major Ramifications said:

Wait until you see what the price of mineral spirits is nowadays. The cheapest parts washer solvent I have found is the stuff they sell at TSC. I haven't tried it, as I had already purchased the stuff at Advance Auto. Last time I was at Advance, it had gone up to $75 for a 5 gallon pail.

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Major,
Well, I WAS having some trouble with that. Walmart wanted $12.95 gallon, other places even higher. I called TSC 'cause they had a lower price of $9.48 per gallon on their website, along with the disclaimer, "Only available for in-store pickup", yet when I called the store the manager said he couldn't even order the stuff! They would have to make a "special" order, and that would take time. TSC's degreaser was just over $45 for 5 gallons, and they had that in stock. But after reading everything I could find, I really preferred Mineral Spirits. Finally I called the Sherwin Williams paint store in my small town, and they sold me three 5-gallon containers of Mineral Spirits for $36.25 each. That's a cost of $7.25 per gallon. Not bad, compared to everyone else I called. SW had four 5-gallon containers in stock, but I want to see how full my parts washer will be with 15 gallons in it, before I buy another 5 gallons. Besides, I have one or two 1-gallon containers already at home.

I've had Safety Kleene solvent in my HF for over 3 years,no issues yet.

930dreamer said:

I've had Safety Kleene solvent in my HF for over 3 years,no issues yet.

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That's fantastic news, dreamer. Thanks!!