Best Water Based Cleaner ?

[427HISS]

I'm going to buy a small shop type parts cleaner, 20g. Most today are made only for "water" based cleaners, not the old solvents that this old geezer's used to.

So, what is the best,....water based cleaner ?

 

[dnschmidt]

I've not tried any of the industrial stuff but of the ones commonly available at retail my favorite is Super Clean.

 

[reptilezs]

we use simple green crystal at work. don't have experience with others to compare. doesn't melt the grease like the solvents do. the water based stuff works ok with a little scrubbing

 

[427HISS]

Any others ?

 

[anndel]

I used Super Clean on my valve cover and oil pan. It "stains" aluminum so you spray it on, scrub the rinse immediately and don't let it sit. Simple Green is good as well.

 

[joe_padavano]

Grez Off is the best I've found. I get mine at NAPA.

 

[gregpack]

I used Super Clean on my valve cover and oil pan. It "stains" aluminum so you spray it on, scrub the rinse immediately and don't let it sit. Simple Green is good as well.

If a water based degreaser contains either sodium or potassium hydroxide you could indeed have a problem with aluminum. Metasilicate-based cleaners should be safer to use on aluminum.

 

[Danglerb]

I use either simple green or dawn, both via spray bottle and same for rinse water.

 

[78C-10]

Mean green works well too. Available at most popular retail stores.

 

[atikovi]

I use the Safety Kleen bench top model https://www.safety-kleen.com/produc...nologies/solvent-parts-washer/manual/model-14 that I got on Ebay years ago. Uses real solvent. Every 5 years I take the solvent tank to Safety Kleen and they swap it out for $50.

 

[Wamsutta]

Keep in mind that water based cleaners are loaded with acid -- so you want to rinse the part off with fresh water as soon as possible. If you leave the part in the parts tank over night, your part will be toast.