Best Machine Tool Cleaner?

[Southernbuild]

I've got a couple of machine tools that have been in deep (less than ideal) storage, plus I'm acquiring some new (to me) grungy machines soon, and so I was wondering what the best cleaner for the job is?

A combination of dirt / grime, rust, oil, and grease....

Last time I did a similar job, I mainly used bulk WD-40, dispensed with a sureshot sprayer. Just checking to see if there's better options, CRC has some cleaners that look good, but the cost gives me pause, with the volume I'll be needing. Enclosed space in the winter, so I'd rather not have the fumes of something like brake cleaner....

I'm not planning to repaint, or restore at this point, just want the stop the damage, and get them usable.

 

[seber]

Simple Green but be sure you wipe with an oily rag after. In fact you should do that no matter what you use.

 

[LJZ]

I've got a couple of machine tools that have been in deep (less than ideal) storage, plus I'm acquiring some new (to me) grungy machines soon, and so I was wondering what the best cleaner for the job is?

A combination of dirt / grime, rust, oil, and grease....

Last time I did a similar job, I mainly used bulk WD-40, dispensed with a sureshot sprayer. Just checking to see if there's better options, CRC has some cleaners that look good, but the cost gives me pause, with the volume I'll be needing. Enclosed space in the winter, so I'd rather not have the fumes of something like brake cleaner....

I'm not planning to repaint, or restore at this point, just want the stop the damage, and get them usable.

Your query made me reflect back a bunch of years.
We use to stop a half hour early every Friday to do a General clean up of the shop.
We used the crappy old stinky soluable oil, cool tool, standard at time cutting oil, anchor lube, Tap free (the old stuff that worked) and other stuff. the machine's would get pretty yukky.
We used spray nine to clean the gungula of and it worked fantastic. We also had Doall cleaner that worked well but it would attack repainted machines.
Has it been made Al Gore friendly now? I dunno. Saw some at Lowes few months ago by chance and almost got some.
As mentioned Simple Green is great stuff but be careful. They make an aviation simple green thats supposed to be Al lou minny yum safe.
Haven't tried yet myself.
So just to say FYI FWIW.
good luck
Luke

 

[Steve from Socal]

Mineral sprits and elbow grease, the water soluble cleaners can rust bare castings unless they are dried promptly.

Steve

 

[blazemaster83]

Kerosene and a brush

 

[bb29510]

what work real good for me was that orange hand cleaner, put it on a rag and wipe

 

[rustyzman]

We degreased machines with soluble machine cutting oil. Trim Sol and later a local company blend. It was very good at removing most greases and maintained some corrosion protection afterward even though it was a water soluble oil.

 

[M6erfan]

Mineral spirits, kerosene, WD40, all will work well.

 

[American Locomotive]

The best we ever used at the machine shop I worked at was CRC Citrus Degreaser. Cleaned well, evaporated cleanly, and wouldn't cause rust since it's not water based.

It is pricey though, and comes in two versions. CRC Citrus Degreaser, and CRC Citrus Degreaser MUO (Manufacturing Use Only).

The MUO version works better if you can get your hands on it.

 

[IndyGarage]

I've used Zepp Fast 505 on Machines with pretty good luck.

That and/or greased lightning.

5 gallon bucket with a big scrub brush and a rag. Blow it off with air or a leaf blower afterward then spray down the important parts with WD40

 

[david3921]

Maybe time to get an ultrasonic cleaner?

 

[Willie Makeit]

been in and around the machine tool business longer than I care to admit and was taught a very young age to NEVER use water or water-based cleaners around machinery. have always used WD40 or kerosene for cleaning, even new machines that are shipped from across the pond covered in cosmoline are cleaned with WD40.

 

[slowtwitch73]

WD40

 

[FrankLee]

Ditto on the Spray Nine Grez-Off.

 

[bwringer]

The Fireball Tool guy (his name is Jason, I think?) highly recommends Zep floor stripper.

 

[desrosd]

The Fireball Tool guy (his name is Jason, I think?) highly recommends Zep floor stripper.

Do yourself a favor and read the SDS, skin irritation is Category 2 and eye irritation is category 2A. The SDS from the HD website:

https://images.thdstatic.com/catalog/pdfImages/96/967064eb-76c7-45eb-ac3f-305ff4810e3d.pdf

 

[Da Bull]

L A awesome orange, cheap, works great !

http://www.lastotallyawesome.com/shop/all-purpose/orange-all-purpose-degreaser/

 

[dr_clyde]

I use simple green for most lighter duty stuff and purple power for the heavier duty.

Depending on the machine and the severity of grime I’ve also been known to use a hot water pressure washer.

 

[Southernbuild]

Lots of great ideas! I'll add a few to the collection, and see what works for me once they are delivered.