Cleaner/degreaser showdown

[biscuit141]

I have read many threads on GJ about degreasers and it seems they have most good results. Out of the following, which have you used with the best results? I plan to use a HF ultrasonic cleaner as I do not want to scrub all the sockets I have to clean.

Purple Power - cheap and effective
Simple Green - more expensive than PP
Mean Grean (from dollar general) not a lot of reviews
Castrol super clean - good reviews not sure of price
Over cleaner - hit or miss reviews

 

[Bull]

I vote for the orange stuff available at the dollar store: Awesome Orange. Too bad they no longer sell the big jugs locally

 

[osborn.ozzy]

purple power clears out lung butter

 

[biscuit141]

purple power clears out lung butter

If only that was the goal. I need to find what cleans grease and grim out of cracks better.

 

[biscuit141]

I vote for the orange stuff available at the dollar store: Awesome Orange. Too bad they no longer sell the big jugs locally

I guess I can hit the dollar store and see what they have. if its cheap enough I could do my own showdown.

 

[Dust]

We use Mean Green as a floor degreaser at work. It works, but only if you don't dilute the stuff too much.

I bought some LA's Totally Awesome yesterday, but have yet to try it. I'm hoping it works on the tree sap that dripped onto my car.

 

[stricht8]

I've heard about the orange stuff from the dollar store. I guess word spreads quickly when something's good n cheap.

 

[fourtythree]

I've had good results with Purple Power and Mean Green. Never been too impressed with Awesome Orange though.

 

[greasemonkey44]

i use purple power to clean the floor and really greasy engines at work
it does a great job if you mix it with hot water
the only thing that has worked better is straight gas

 

[biscuit141]

Man dollar general has all the cleaners. I picked up a gallon of Mean Green for $5. But they also had a gallon of Purple Power for $5, half gallons of LA's Totally Awesome for $3 and Greased Lightning for $4. So I have lots of options to try if Mean green doesn't work out. Should I use it straight or cut it with water?

 

[Oldndirty]

Zep industrial purple from HD. About $ 12 a gallon. Smells bad, works great. This board got me to try Dollar Tree cleaners and they all work good for that price.

 

[homesale]

Simple Green is only good for general cleaning. It take a long time to scrub oily, greasy car parts with Simple Green even when it is not diluted with water. Castrol super clean works better. Is there anything better and cheaper than Castrol super clean?

 

[cnc-me]

This stuff is super.....
http://www.challengercleaner.com/

 

[homesale]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=140168

 

[Rayzer2368]

Simple Green also has a line of commercial degreasers called Extreme Simple Green Aircraft & Precision Cleaner. It still seems expensive. Amazon shows a 5 gal. bucket for $99.00, but 2-day shipping is free if you are a Prime member.

Simple Green's website recommends a dilution ratio of 1:3 (Extreme Simple Green to water). So, at that ratio, one 5 gal. jug would give you 15 gals.

Anyone ever used this stuff? In a parts washer?

 

[GeneralDisorder]

Safety Prep by Inland Technologies. Same as Brake Prep just not listed on their site:

http://www.inlandtech.com/uploads/pdf/Solvents/Brake Prep Tech Data Sheet - 07-08-10.pdf

Everything you listed is caustic and will etch aluminium, burn your skin, and is generally horrible to work with and to dispose of.

I use only actual petroleum based solvents and the Inland stuff I listed above in my shop - it works FAR better than any of the caustic's like simple green and purple ****, has the odor of glass cleaner, and is environmentally harmless. It will REMOVE carbon - soak a piston in it overnight and it will melt carbon like carb cleaner. It also removes oil varnish like the purple **** and simple green does - just as effective without the discoloration on aluminium and burning of your skin. You can use it with no gloves, etc and it's harmless.

GD