Parts cleaners

[white500xl]

What parts cleanibg fluid is the best, mineral spirits or soap based?

 

[hasco]

I would say Mineral based.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Varsol used to be the best. I used to get the recycled stuff, after it had been through the big printing houses. Way better cutting power. Nowadays it's all dish water. I'm on my last couple gallons of Zep yellow. It's not too bad. Mineral spirits is pricey, but works pretty well.

 

[racecougar]

Solvent-based. I like Crown PSC 1000.

 

[05snopro440]

I use Simple Green in my BikeMaster parts cleaner. It works well for me. I always wear gloves with any parts cleaner.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

I’m in the ‘spirts camp.
It’s the EPA and tree huggers that have pushed for the “water-based” alternatives. Probably won’t be much longer and that will be out also. We’ll be using some kind of “dry” cleaner- like dry shampoo!

 

[fsae0607]

Solvent-based. I like Crown PSC 1000.

PSC1000 from Tractor Supply works great! I've also successfully used Mineral Spirits from the paint department at the big box stores in my old 5 gallon washer before they outlawed it in CA.

When I upgraded to a 20 gallon, I decanted the mineral spirits from the 5 to the 20 gallon and topped it off with PSC 1000. Works great!

It takes forever to evaporate, so after washing your workpiece you'll need to rinse with alcohol or brake cleaner if you don't want to wait.

 

[930dreamer]

Diesel works well.

 

[Jagmandave]

I agree on mineral spirits.....I buy from Crystal Clean, they'll bring a 25 gallon pail and pick up your old stuff, even home delivery. If you don't have a barrel mounted parts cleaning tub with a recirculating pump then the PSC 1000 from Tractor supply is a good way to go.

 

[egdede]

I use Simple Green in my BikeMaster parts cleaner. It works well for me. I always wear gloves with any parts cleaner.

Here on garage journal I learned that Simple Green destroys aluminum. Be careful with those expensive aluminum parts.

 

[93Ramcharger]

I just use diesel fuel in mine, it's a whole lot cheaper. Just have to spray parts off with brake clean to remove the oily residue. Maybe it isn't a whole lot cheaper, I haven't priced mineral spirits in a long time.

 

[Metallitubby]

I post this about once a month or so, but one of my race team's sponsors is a non-solvent based cleaner that can be used with your bare hands, etc. The guy doesn't advertise well, so it's not well known. I've sent samples to various GJ users, and most of them attest to its value, but check it out.

https://www.buygtech.com/

 

[Seattle_Speed_Shop]

Another guy for crown psc 1000. I think it's just odorless mineral spirits with a higher flash point. Also just about the cheapest option out there.

 

[johninct]

Safety Kleen.

 

[05snopro440]

Here on garage journal I learned that Simple Green destroys aluminum. Be careful with those expensive aluminum parts.

This is addressed directly on their website.

https://simplegreen.com/faqs/15/

 

[lilredex]

I use Varsol that has previously cleaned paint brushes, mixed with old gas leftover from mowers, snowblowers, etc. It can be all reused if you let it sit for a while. My cleaning is done outside.

 

[pancho400cid]

I use Crown PSC 1000 as mentioned above.

I regard it a barely adequate. It doesn't work nearly as well a Varsol from days gone by, but as far as I know "Varsol" is either no longer made or at least no longer available to non-industrial customers. I think there were health issues with Varsol so hopefully the PSC is safer at least.

...

 

[toyotadriver]

Solvent-based. I like Crown PSC 1000.

Another vote for PSC 1000. Good cleaner, safe to use, and it's not water based. I despise water based cleaners.

 

[05snopro440]

I use Crown PSC 1000 as mentioned above.

I regard it a barely adequate. It doesn't work nearly as well a Varsol from days gone by, but as far as I know "Varsol" is either no longer made or at least no longer available to non-industrial customers. I think there were health issues with Varsol so hopefully the PSC is safer at least.

...

Varsol is still available.

 

[BOOT]

I read adding some ATF to mineral spirits in a parts washer was good but can't rem why? Think part of it was for your hands.

 

[tester19]

Yes the parts cleaner Crown PCS1000 works good for me. No evaporation, no smell and it works. I don't use water based stuff as that always leads to rust and mold/bacteria growth. Use the right stuff and things just work WAY better!
Have had my Harbor Freight parts washer filled with it for over 5 years without needing any additional fluid.

If you have not seen the thread there is a ton of mods that guys have done to make these parts washers even better. Surprisingly the fluid pump is still working even though it's just a water fountain pump. I planned to upgrade that and add an external filter cartridge but it just has not needed either one.
.
.
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[Theruse]

I didn't catch that about Simple Green not good for aluminum parts. My HVAC guys only recommend Simple Green on cleaning the aluminum louvers on my external A/C components. I've used it for years and no issues. So what is the problem with Simple Green?

 

[egdede]

Don't soak it. From their web site:

When used with caution and according to the instructions, Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner has been safely and successfully used to clean aluminum. Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner, Crystal Simple Green Industrial Cleaner & Degreaser, and Simple Green Pressure Washer Concentrates have been used on aircraft, automotive, industrial and consumer aluminum items for over 20 years. However, caution and common sense must be used: aluminum is a soft metal that easily corrodes with unprotected exposure to water. The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner can accelerate the corrosion process. Therefore, contact times for unprotected or unpainted aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job will allow - never for more than 10 minutes. Large cleaning jobs should be conducted in smaller-area stages to achieve lower contact time. Rinsing after cleaning should always be extremely thorough - paying special attention to flush out cracks and crevices to remove all Simple Green product residues. Unfinished, uncoated or unpainted aluminum cleaned with Simple Green products should receive some sort of protectant after cleaning to prevent oxidation.
Simple Green has also developed break-through water based cleaners that are safe for use on metals, plastics, rubber and high tech alloys. Extreme Simple Green Aircraft & Precision Cleaner, Pro Series Simple Green Automotive Cleaner, and Simple Green Pro HD are available on both the industrial and retail markets, respectively. These products were initially developed for the aircraft industry and extensive testing shows that they are safe and effective on a variety of metals and other sensitive surfaces even in the most extreme circumstances.

Simple Green Stainless Steel One Step Cleaner & Polish is another option for cleaning polished aluminum. This product is designed for light duty metal cleaning and polishing.

 

[hasco]

What are the thoughts of Kerosene ?

 

[racecougar]

What are the thoughts of Kerosene ?

Outside in a "safe" environment? Sure.

In a parts washer in your shop? I'd pick something with a higher flash point.

 

[Leevon]

We use a Smartwasher by CRC in my shop, it uses "Ozzyjuice" which works well but is not flammable etc. 6 techs, daily use and it works great no complaints.

 

[mcbane]

I’m in the ‘spirts camp.
It’s the EPA and tree huggers that have pushed for the “water-based” alternatives. Probably won’t be much longer and that will be out also. We’ll be using some kind of “dry” cleaner- like dry shampoo!

In CA you are supposed to use locally sourced granola in a solar powered ultrasonic cleaner.