Parts Cleaning

[stevenmi]

I'm working on my old Harley and am at the reinstall stage. I have lots of parts that need to be cleaned and degreased. I don't want to move to a parts cleaning station with gallons of cleaning solvent but maybe using water based cleaner like purple power or simply green. So I'm wondering how you others deal with this.

Steve

 

[lilredex]

My solution...when the parts fit.

 

[Empty Pockets]

sometimes, low tech is best. I have used that same system

 

[Richard Cranium]

Harbor freight has a little 2or 3 gallon table top model.

 

[ChrisLS8]

I use a Rubbermaid tote and a few bottles of LA Totally Awesome cleaner in the yellow bottle, stuff works wonders

 

[thatguysb]

those cheap hand pump spray can and some dawn, that helps alot with dirty stuff, greasy stuff well a general greaser and a partswasher brush. does everything iv need so far.

 

[Hammer1963]

Try using a crock pot with a degreaser. Turn it on and let it sit for hours. If you do not have a dedicated vessel for it, use a disposable liner. Check Goodwill for a cheap used unit.

 

[kctyphoon]

Maybe this..

 

[Ray-CA]

After degreasing, I'll toss parts into a vibrating cleaner (like one of these: https://www.google.com/search?q=dil...ved=0ahUKEwjq5IScwInSAhVQ7mMKHcE-DVUQ_AUICCgD) with some crushed walnut shells.

Ray

 

[FadedGray]

Family farm and home also has a bench top 3 gallon model. I use it for all my moto bike parts.

 

[anndel]

After degreasing, I'll toss parts into a vibrating cleaner (like one of these: https://www.google.com/search?q=dil...ved=0ahUKEwjq5IScwInSAhVQ7mMKHcE-DVUQ_AUICCgD) with some crushed walnut shells.

Ray

That's what I use to clean 45 acp brass

 

[Wamsutta]

It helps to have something to work the cleaner into the nooks and crannies. I use Purple Power and work it in with an acid brush. Sometimes depending on the situation, I'll use a toothbrush too. When you have oil mixed with dirt, you have to have something to work the cleaner in to help break up the gunk. Rinse with water thoroughly because the cleaner is corrosive.

 

[Ray-CA]

That's what I use to clean 45 acp brass

That's why I happen to have one too. Used to do a lot of reloading as well.

Ray

 

[sberry]

A couple gallons of mineral spirits in a 5 gallon bucket, put lid on to store it.

 

[pistolpete1313]

Oil eater has been the best, hands down, degreaser I've ever found. Cleans of with water and is friendly to the skin.

 

[mrobins297aaa]

if you use that water based cleaner don't leave it in your metal parts for any extended period time...........it will destroy it, believe me I know from experience.

 

[Infinia]

I really like Castrol Super Clean. I think Purple Power might be the generic brand,( aka space age detergent ) that and working it inside a tote tub will get 95% of greasy gunky. Most times working on bikes rusty chrome parts a little WD40 and steel wool works wonders. I use WD for final cleaning and assembly it gets rids of the water from rinsing /cleaning. Any time lube is required I'll use white lithium or Superlube.
These days Mineral Spirits is too expensive and pretty much outlawed in my state.
Gunk Foamy Engine Cleaner is my go-to for being lazy and when I cant be sure to rinse all the PP away esp around aluminum parts.

 

[Kmaysob]

Castrol super clean hands down . Keep it away.from aluminum and your hands.

 

[Shiftless]

I really like Castrol Super Clean. I think Purple Power might be the generic brand,( aka space age detergent ) that and working it inside a tote tub will get 95% of greasy gunky. Most times working on bikes rusty chrome parts a little WD40 and steel wool works wonders. I use WD for final cleaning and assembly it gets rids of the water from rinsing /cleaning. Any time lube is required I'll use white lithium or Superlube.
These days Mineral Spirits is too expensive and pretty much outlawed in my state.
Gunk Foamy Engine Cleaner is my go-to for being lazy and when I cant be sure to rinse all the PP away esp around aluminum parts.

Good advise.
BTW, as a fellow Californian, I can say that I have found a source of free mineral spirits.

Look around at estate sales. The pros know that the only way to dispose of it legally is to take it to the toxic waste facility. So you are doing them a favor by offering to take it away. You might have to hand over a buck or two but it's still WAY better than the $17 a gallon retail.

 

[Infinia]

Good advise.
BTW, as a fellow Californian, I can say that I have found a source of free mineral spirits.

Look around at estate sales. The pros know that the only was to dispose of it legally is to take it to the toxic waste facility. So you are doing them a favor by offering to take it away. You might have to hand over a buck or two but it's still WAY better than the $17 a gallon retail.

yeah good idea
I really have to get some soon I still have gallons of oil based paint and primer I need to thin it with.

 

[cajunfirehawk]

I have a tote with about 2-3 gals of purple power in it, cheap and works good.
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[cajunfirehawk]

I have a tote with about 2-3 gals of purple power in it, cheap and works good.

 

[SantaAna12]

I prefer not having to rinse after degreasing. I use TSC low vapor mineral spirits in a tabletop parts washer, and having done rebuilds with and without it, would not go back. The 5 gallon bucket works very well, and is semi-affordable. I keep up on the filter. I have lugged the Safety Kleen version around for thirty years because it is such a valuable tool. The fluid chamber breaks apart for transport. It stores on a Gorilla rack. A great tool.
They still make the same model.

 

[Finky198]

We use a 35gal Safety Kleen unit filled with TSC stuff like above. It's great about as good as it get unless you go automated. We have a 30 gal drum with lid that is filled 3/4 of the way with the old fluid that's been filtered and refreshed with additional mineral spirits. I have a five gallon pale with holes that can be dunked into the tank for as long as needed I have a screen on the bottom that catches the gunk. We remove it as needed, and that keeps our parts washer clean enough for finish work. I'd like to get a dish washer as well as install my 4' stainless sink so I have something like a trans table. I can drain parts and wash down big items with diesel, Purple Power, Simply green or Oil eater.

Anything bigger... gets the hose .... IE: The pressure washer.

 

[hefnerconstructionlc]

Castrol super clean and Purple power both work great. Could use a fish tank or tile saw pump to recirculate the solvent for better cleaning. Just give the solvent time to work.

 

[PhantomEB]

I the other end of the spectrum. I don't mind my parts washer tank at the back corner. Just need to add more light back in that corner and a heater to the tank.

 

[tvtaurus]

Maybe this..

I do like this idea. Though I haven't built one myself yet. It seems like it would work well.

 

[Davefr]

Look around at estate sales. The pros know that the only way to dispose of it legally is to take it to the toxic waste facility. So you are doing them a favor by offering to take it away. You might have to hand over a buck or two but it's still WAY better than the $17 a gallon retail.

^^^What he said. Also look for Coleman Fuel (ie Naptha).

 

[vavet]

I use the "LA's Totally Awesome All-purpose cleaner that I can buy at the dollar store. They have 2 sizes - the smaller size comes with a trigger-spray bottle. the other size is intended to be a refill. If you're soaking in a different container anyway, then the larger bottle makes sense. It's hard to go wrong for a buck.

 

[jim keris]

k-1 kerosene $4.00 a gallon in Fl. and a parts cleaning brush in the bottom of a cut off plastic 55 gallon drum. Goes in with used oil when done.

 

[bczygan]

How does the Pro HD Simple green work, compared to the original green stuff?

 

[bczygan]

How does the Pro HD Simple green work, compared to the original green stuff?

Anyone?

 

[Jeff May]

Before I purchased a regular wash tank with pump I used a cake pan. Went to Wal-Mart and got the biggest deepest cheapo cake pan. Still have it, use it for cleaning parts with paint stripper now.

 

[Danglerb]

Bigger jobs I visit my friends shop and use his big automatic washer, at home I use a cement mixing tray and simple green or Dawn, finished parts get a spray of Marvel Mystery Oil to prevent rust until ready to use, some go in a zip lock with more than a spray of it.

Big Lots had a bunch of gallon jugs of the Simple Green max, didn't work well for me at all in any concentration I tried.

 

[67King]

Beware, that purple stuff is caustic. So if you let stuff soak in there, it will attack your parts. I use the orange citrus stuff now. Even though it is slightly acidic, it isn't as harmful if you let stuff soak.

That said, I have a power washer that I now use periodically on the underside of cars, and around any general area I"ll be doinng a lot of work on. Makes a huge difference.

 

[Bluejoe]

I was looking into the plastic polymer setups like benchtop Pro or Safety Kleen's benchtop model 14. Just purchase outright. It's $300 for polymer Benchtop Pro and $445 Safety Kleen's. I'm not leasing at those prices. I will get one of the cleaners listed in this thread.

 

[sberry]

A hobby guy likely can get by with less than a 400$ cleaner. I have hot pressure washer so my solvent in my tank stays clean a good long time, I blast anything I can. If I was crowded would consider one of the benchtop deals.

 

[nickelmore]

I just degreased a piece that was caked in grease in with zep degreaser (purple stuff) heated up on a big turkey fryer. Degreased and stripped paint. Followed that up with a hot bath in dawn dish soap seemed to work good.

Took a few hours per batch have not seen any problems on the pot metal parts.