Another Parts Washer Fluid and Storage Question

[Breadfan209]

All,

Just got done searching on the forums regarding various types of parts washer fluids folks like to use. I found tons of great info, but still wanted to ask a few questions and get some general feedback.

I recently added a generic 20-gal parts washer to my garage shop. It's the basic unit sold at TSC. My wife picked it up for me for my bday this year (she caught me eyeing it )

So now it's assembled, and time for fluid and also finding a home in the shop.

So let me ask 2 questions that sort of intertwine...I'll start with storage and how I handles tools in my shop...

Storage

Suffice to say, I'm a bit paranoid of sources of fire in the shop. I keep spray cans and oil/trans fluid stocks on the opposite side of the area I do metal working/sparks, don't like leaving stuff plugged in, and sometimes roll things outside when doing big time fuel system work.

That being said - and this feeds into the question of fluid...how do you all store your parts washers?

It seems odd to me having something with a somewhat cheap lid on it containing 5+ gallons of flammable liquid (if I use a solvent based fluid) just hanging out in the garage. Maybe I'm overthinking it - but does anyone see a parts washer with solvent as an added fire risk and how do you mitigate that? I would plan to store it away from large work areas, and it has casters to move if I need it. I would only plug it in when I need to use the pump.

Fluid

With the storage concerns, I've contemplated using a water-based cleaner. I'm afraid it won't clean as well as a true solvent though. I've read Purple Power is better than SimpleGreen for these, and also pure citrus based cleaners are real good and cheap.

It's either that or I will use the PSC1000 from TSC (solvent).

I could always start with water-based and see if it works for me, and if not "upgrade" to solvent in the future.

Any insight or feedback on what you would use? Again, I learned a lot using the search tool, but curious for some more feedback especially in how you store your parts washers in your shop.

Thanks in advance!

PS. I keep remembering back to the shop days in highschool where we had a large parts washer filled with varisol, sat there for years and never blew up even with us crazy kids around lol

 

[rsanter]

Modern water based degreasers work as well or close to as well as the old standbys.
If there is a concern on your part ( which is very valid) then just go the water based route

On the other hand, it does not take much to smother a fire, so yes the thin flimsy lid actually works very well

Bob

 

[Jawn]

I have that same wheeled 20 gallon unit from TSC with 5 gallons of PSC1000 in it. I just don't grind/weld near it. As to that flimsy lid, while it's not a seal I don't smell the solvent with the lid closed.

In theory, if it did catch fire while open, the lid has a fusible link in its mechanism that will drop the lid to smother the fire. That said, it's far better to avoid a fire than test it out.

 

[trdtaco]

I use the purple degreaser from home depot. It's the pro one and is safe for use on aluminum which purple power and simple green are not. I also was in the same boat as I am afraid of fire big time so it made the choice easy for water based

 

[Richard Cranium]

I use awesome from the dollar store, it comes in a half gallon refill jug. It is water based. I use half awesome and half water and it works very good. Plus when it get too dirty you can drain it out and let it evaporate. and then toss the dirt into the garbage.

 

[Breadfan209]

Thanks all for the feedback so far! Good info...still thinking, but may try water based first since it's fairly easy to swap later if I don't like it...but not totally off using the PSC10000. Good to hear experience with that unit and lack of vapor smell