Let's Talk About Parts Washers

[-Brent-]

I'd love to hear what you guys are using. Likes, dislikes, chemicals you use, advice, etc.

I've been looking at some used set-ups and they're either really cheap (price and quality) or expensive.

All that said, I don't know much about them. The only ones I've ever used were commercial/dealership set-ups and they're nothing like what I'd be using.

So, I'd love to see a discussion. I did search and nothing popped up that was worth bumping.

Thanks in advance, folks.

 

[gtermini]

I've used a Mirachem (expensive) heated water-based unit quite a bit. Pretty happy with it. Their chemicals don't trash your hands and cut grease pretty well.

I have been thinking of building one for home out of a 50 gal poly drum and a slop sink. Probably will stall on that project and hope to snap one off Craigslist, as I see them once in a while for $100 or so. I will go water-based/heated because it's easier to deal with and change than solvent.

Just my $0.02

Greyson

 

[Steevo]

I skipped over the small bench-top parts washers, because I wanted something that worked like I remember them working in shops where I have worked over the years.
That meant solvent based for me.

I bought a good one from Safety Kleen:

http://safety-kleen.com/products-se...ogies/solvent-parts-washer/manual/model-16-30

 

[bobcatdan]

I got a nice little grays mill off of CL for $35 a few years ago. It is a smaller free standing unit and it only uses 5 gallons. The cost of fluid adds up quick.

 

[alxdgr8]

I have the HF one. I modded the drain with a 90* + extension with a ball valve so I can easily drain it. Not heated, but it does the job. I use some Zep citrus degreaser that I got at Home Depot. I mainly use it for cleaning parts prior to powder coating so I don't want anything with petroleum in it.

 

[Andybull]

I bought this one on GL;

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=169239

 

[kawtoy]

I use mostly mineral spirits and stuff like Simple Green, Purple Power and so on. I go to a lot of estate sales and there is always some half empty cans of mineral spirits for $0.50. Anytime I see cheap cleaners at a sale I will grab them and throw it into the mix. I have elbow length thick rubber gloves from a sand blaster that I use to keep the nasty stuff off my hands. I use mine for cleaning the really nasty parts so if I need to paint something after it comes out of the tank I will wash it again with regular dish soap and water in the garage sink and blow it dry.

 

[underpressure02]

I just bought this one a few months ago for my home garage.

http://safety-kleen.com/products-services/parts-cleaning-technologies/aqueous-parts-washer/spray/aq-1

Haven't had much time to use it yet.

 

[devoncoolman]

I bought a used snap-on heavy duty unit off cl for $300 in great shape came with 25 gallons of brandnew solvent and a new filtration system.

 

[Rhyno]

Take a read through here.....

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=202435

Hopefully it'll help you out......

The "hippie formula" solvents work as well as hippies do.....

Save your time and money buy something that makes Kalifornia nervous.

 

[bulletpruf]

I have the HF one that holds something like 20 gallons. I use mineral spirits. Expensive, but not as bad if you buy them from a place that sells bulk fuel.

The HF unit is great for the price, but I'm interested in getting something larger and heated.

Scott

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I built one from a stainless double sink and a pump from an oil burning furnace. IIRC total out of pocket expense was ~$130.00, including parts cleaner fluid bought at princess auto.









I wish I could get the pics bigger but I lost the originals. I built a cabinet out of scrap. Put wheels on the bottom. The sink drains into the 5 gallon bucket and the pump picks up a couple inches above the bottom. I did have the fluid running thru a filter but that clogged too quick so no more filter.

I did buy a used small [edit; 20 gallon] commercial unit for $5.00 later, just had to replace the pump. I used a small water pump for a tile saw and that worked for last summer. I'll see how it lasted once the snow melts. I use diesel fuel now, it's slightly cheaper and works just as good.

Richard

 

[Outlawmws]

Depends on what you need to clean, and how often. Some options:

I made my first parts cleaner from a 20 gallon barrel, a metal oil drain pan, (fir in the top once the lip was trimmed off..) a recirculating pump, and some plumbing and copper tubing for the spigot. It worked well for small to medium sized parts not so well for larger parts due to it's size. a SS sink can be adapted to one of these for a larger basin. Use a single basin though,or one with the disposal corner basin, (but for what? trash, gunge scrapings?). Mostly I've used Solvent (when I had a supplier), Diesel, kerosene, (really has too high a flash point) or Mineral Spirits. (Stoddard if you can get it)

These work decently but stink pretty badly.

These days I mostly use Simple Green full strength but NOT in this setup. I either have covered containers (for the part size) or use a heavy plastic tray maybe 6-8" deep. Still has an odor, but is non flammable and It really doesn't bother me that much. (SWMBO hates it...)

Another option is an older Matag JetClean Dishwasher. I have one in our kitchen and I was so impressed with its heat and power I scavenged one from a remodel and stuck it in a portable dishwasher rolling cabinet. stick the parts in and cut it loose. you cant maybe 5-7 gallons out of the pipe per run, and so far I've just dumped that into a bucket and flushed it. I do scrape the heavy stuff off first, and just lat the washer do the residual, so its not a lot different that washing greasy rags or my shop coats when they get filthy...

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

i have one of these http://www.harborfreight.com/20-gallon-parts-washer-with-pump-60769.html#.UyYMvfldV8E with a mix of kerosene and mineral spirits.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

Standard 20 gallon HF unit for me. Put it on wheels, filled it with "Awesome" grease cutting cleaning solvent from the dollar store- 8 half gallon containers later and it was ready. Works surprisingly well for the solvent. Doesn't foam up badly, cuts the grease well.

Future mods will be a remote pump and filter using the drain I modified (added a ballcock and bucket under it for easier cleaning).

While parts washing brushes are useful, I found some of the best brushes were in the kitchen supply area, picking up nylon brushes meant for scrubbing pots and dishes in different sizes and configurations. Those work really well.

Another addition I hope to make will be to add a heating element to the unit. There are some intank types available at the farm supply meant to heat up water in horse / cattle drinking troughs. Sealed, submersible, and some will actively heat the solvent to 120F. I think I'd keep the temp lower, but it's a neat option at only $50.