Best Non-Flammable Solvent

[OldracerJones]

Purchased a parts washer with a pump and need a good non-flammable solvent to run through it. Any ideas on a good cleaner for car parts to clean grease?

 

[rockwithjason]

i have never tried it but harbor freight sells a water based product for parts washers. maybe somebody here will chime in.

 

[soj]

I use kerosene. Much cheaper than the 5 gal pails of parts cleaners, flash point is well over 100F. It is just "oily" enough, even when fresh, that it is not rough on your hands. If that is a concern, just wear gloves.

 

[Chuck Farley]

Kerosene? "non-Flammable"? Am I missing something?

 

[plow]

Kerosene? "non-Flammable"? Am I missing something?

I think this is what he's ref.


http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/flammable/flam.html

 

[ptgb]

i have never tried it but harbor freight sells a water based product for parts washers. maybe somebody here will chime in.

I've used it.... it completely *****.


Look elsewhere.... trust me.

 

[cmorr]

I have a smaller (home garage) unit with a plastic tank

I use Simple Green

 

[soj]

Kerosene? "non-Flammable"? Am I missing something?

I think this is what he's ref.


http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/flammable/flam.html

Exactly. Kerosene is combustible, not flammable.

 

[ptschram]

What is the problem with a solvent that will burn? I have used diesel fuel in my parts washer for more than 30 years without a problem, even when I smoked and would smoke while standing over the parts washer.

Diesel fuel is inexpensive, if it does catch fire, it's easily extinguished (not something one can say about mineral spirits), and easily disposed of when spent by using it as fire starter.

 

[joe_padavano]

To answer the OP's question, I've had really good results with Greeze-Off. I buy it at NAPA in 5 gallon pails.

 

[plow]

Not trying to derail this, But, What about heated parts washers? I'm not a "safety nazi", But I'm not reckless either. Could Kero or diesel be heated up a bit. I don't remember what temp it gets to, Or even if it's adjustable.

 

[plow]

PS: I know they make special solvents for this, But I seem to remember them being very expensive. I'm a cheap mo fo.

 

[soj]

What is the problem with a solvent that will burn? I have used diesel fuel in my parts washer for more than 30 years without a problem, even when I smoked and would smoke while standing over the parts washer.

Diesel fuel is inexpensive, if it does catch fire, it's easily extinguished (not something one can say about mineral spirits), and easily disposed of when spent by using it as fire starter.

Diesel fuel is another example of a combustible, not flammable, liquid. It's flash point ranges from 126 to 205F. As a comparison, a common flammable liquid, gasoline has a flash point of about -45F. Mineral spirits flash point starts at about 110F. Anything above 100F is combustible, below 100F is flammable.

 

[Falcon67]

I use PSC-1000 from Tractor Supply. Works pretty good.