Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
I have a table top parts washer. What do you recommend for solvent? Is there an effective solvent that is non-flammable? Thanks, in advance, for any help
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Parts washer solvent recommendation
- Thread starter Jeff Ivers
- Start date
idoitproject
Well-known member
Has anyone ever thought of using transmission fluid?
Honda guy
Well-known member
I like Varsol. It's kind of nasty stuff but it cleans excellent and doesn't leave residue.
Flammability? I tried to light it with a propane torch and it wouldn't burn.
Flammability? I tried to light it with a propane torch and it wouldn't burn.
PCO6
Well-known member
^^^ Varsol here too.
diesel research
Well-known member
We use graymills agitene or something like that in a system one parts cleaner with built in distiller.
Stuff doesn't seem too flammable. Big warning sticker reminder you not to smoke near it, YET the natural gas fired radiant heater is mounted directly above it.
Stuff doesn't seem too flammable. Big warning sticker reminder you not to smoke near it, YET the natural gas fired radiant heater is mounted directly above it.
Has anyone ever thought of using transmission fluid?
ever thought of Viscosity?
Safety-Kleen that's what we use.
toolsd
Active member
Here's my take.
Kerosene. Works pretty good, dries very slow, the dirt eventually settles out so it's reusable and lasts forever. Not horribly flammable.
Mineral spirits. Leaves NO residue. Otherwise about the same as above but more expensive.
Citrus water based cleaners. Work GREAT. Rinse with REALLY hot water when you're done and it dries super quick and is ready for paint. However, it will eventually saturate and will need replaced (can't reuse this stuff). So can be costly if you're doing lots.
In the end, a couple parts washers work the best... then it comes down to how much room you have. If you're gonna have one, and use it a fair amount, I'd go with kerosene.
Tools
Kerosene. Works pretty good, dries very slow, the dirt eventually settles out so it's reusable and lasts forever. Not horribly flammable.
Mineral spirits. Leaves NO residue. Otherwise about the same as above but more expensive.
Citrus water based cleaners. Work GREAT. Rinse with REALLY hot water when you're done and it dries super quick and is ready for paint. However, it will eventually saturate and will need replaced (can't reuse this stuff). So can be costly if you're doing lots.
In the end, a couple parts washers work the best... then it comes down to how much room you have. If you're gonna have one, and use it a fair amount, I'd go with kerosene.
Tools
ptschram
Well-known member
Diesel fuel!
Cheap, fairly safe, works well, available everywhere.
Cheap, fairly safe, works well, available everywhere.
What's the smell level like on Varsol? It's essentially mineral spirits, but I thought that there was some improvement to the smell.
Exxon has another solvent with similar properties that is supposed to be highly dearomatized. Anybody have experience with Exxsol?
http://www.exxonmobilchemical.com/C...uids-products-exxsol.aspx?ln=productsservices
Exxon has another solvent with similar properties that is supposed to be highly dearomatized. Anybody have experience with Exxsol?
http://www.exxonmobilchemical.com/C...uids-products-exxsol.aspx?ln=productsservices
Honda guy
Well-known member
What's the smell level like on Varsol? It's essentially mineral spirits, but I thought that there was some improvement to the smell
Varsol doesn't smell too bad. Not a pleasant odor, but it's not a strong, overpowering smell. My home shop is only 20' x 20' and even if I leave my parts washer lid open, it doesn't stink up the shop at all.
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't mineral spirits extremely flammable?
bobcatdan
Well-known member
Don't get simple green parts washer solvent. The **** is water base and it ate threw my parts washer in 2 years. I only paid $40 for the parts washer new so I wasn't too heart broke. I just laugh when I go to fleet and the **** is sitting right next to the parts washers. It was a very good cleaner.
toyotadriver
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2010
- Messages
- 1,586
I used to use naptha. Used to be able to buy it from the pump at a MFA store. Not sure if it's still available or not because I haven't had a parts washer in awhile.
PCO6
Well-known member
Mineral spirits and Varsol are very similar. Varsol is a registered trade name for a product that is a pure form of mineral spirits. I've used it for years in my parts cleaner. It either has no smell ... or I've just become used to it. I can't smell it at all.What's the smell level like on Varsol? It's essentially mineral spirits, but I thought that there was some improvement to the smell.
Exxon has another solvent with similar properties that is supposed to be highly dearomatized. Anybody have experience with Exxsol?
http://www.exxonmobilchemical.com/C...uids-products-exxsol.aspx?ln=productsservices
OP
Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
I really appreciate all the input. Since others have had problems with water based solvents, I will not be going that route. I had not thought about mineral spirits and had not heard of Varsol or Exxsol. I guess my next step is to find out what is available in bulk locally to try to save over hardware store prices. Thanks again.
mkdive
Well-known member
There are soooooo many threads about this topic. I had the same question a couple years ago....and I found so much reading after searching the topic. Good reading non the less.
ptschram
Well-known member
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't mineral spirits extremely flammable?
It has a low flashpoint, takes very little energy to ignite and is difficult to extinguish once ignited.
If used in a profit-seeking shop, the flashpoint puts it in the hazardous waste category when spent unless there is testing data to prove otherwise, then you're into testing for other stuff. Using diesel fuel avoids much of this as its flashpoint is high enough to not be considered a hazardous waste when spent.
"Generator Knowledge" is a great way to avoid some of these regulations.