Parts washer solvent

[fubar008]

I just picked up a snap on parts washer. What's recommended to use for solvent? How full should it be? Thanks

 

[bochnak]

I have a similar setup and use this solvent:

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/crown-psc-1000-parts-cleaner-5-gal

I have about 10 gallons in mine. That looks to be a 30gal drum?

Matt

 

[fubar008]

I think it is 30 gal. So I probably need 20gal? It's says in the lid to have the fluid 10" from the top.

 

[bochnak]

I think it is 30 gal. So I probably need 20gal? It's says in the lid to have the fluid 10" from the top.

You can do a quick volume calc to see how many gallons you need to get you 10" from the top.

Mine was given to me with old solvent. I added 5gal since it was low. I really need to remove all fluid and clean it well sometime soon.

 

[pancho400cid]

I use that PSC fluid. It's pretty good by modern standards. I wish it was a little stronger. It's mostly mineral spirits.

I have a similar sized tank and also have 10 gallons in mine. The level has to be above the pump inlet obviously.

That stuff ain't cheap so I didn't want to buy more than needed. I'm a hobbyist and 10 gallons was plenty. If you have a working shop or use it a lot, it might be worth it to fill it higher.

PS - How big around is the barrel? You can calculate how many gallons = what fill height. A gallon is 231 cubic inches.

 

[Falcon67]

I have a similar setup and use this solvent:

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/crown-psc-1000-parts-cleaner-5-gal

I have about 10 gallons in mine. That looks to be a 30gal drum?

Matt

Same in mine. Agree, it could use a bit more bite but works pretty good as-is.

 

[txvwnut]

I’ve been getting mine from Northern Tool. Last time I got some it was 65 bucks for 5 gallons.

 

[braidmeister]

If you're on a budget put some bricks or hunks of steel in the reservoir to displace the capacity...like people used to do with bricks in their toilet tank to save on water...

 

[cory58]

I've read 75% kerosene / 25% mineral spirits works great. Any thoughts on that mixture?


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[Old Man Roger]

We always used mineral spirits.

 

[Boilerhouse]

I've read 75% kerosene / 25% mineral spirits works great. Any thoughts on that mixture?


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Lots of people use 100% kerosene or diesel or mix it down with mineral spirits and claim good results. I had some furnace oil given to me, so I am using it mixed 50/50 with mineral spirits and it seems to be doing the job....and the price was right.

 

[Old Man Roger]

I wouldn't want anything too flammable.

 

[Wes Tex]

Naphtha at $6.00 per gallon when bought from an industrial chemical retailer using my own 5-gallon container. I have used it forever to clean greasy auto parts. It also works great to clean grease and oil off the driveway.

 

[brownbagg]

i got one of those big ones too, I been eyeballing the table top small ones at harbor freight

 

[uppster]

How is the odor when the washer is not being used? My shop is in the basement.

 

[pancho400cid]

how is the odor when the washer is not being used? My shop is in the basement.

If you are talking about the PSC stuff, it's not too bad. My "shop" is my attached 2 car garage. You can smell it a little out in the garage, but I never noticed it inside. It was stronger for a week or two right after I filled it. I think basically, the lightest hydrocarbons evaporate off so it smells less after some time. You definitely want low flammability, which is part of why I went with that stuff. You also want a lid on the top of the tank and keep it closed unless you're using it.

Also, my garage has a closet for the gas water heater. It's pretty well sealed, vented to the outside, and the heater is elevated to theoretically be above the fumes, which accumulate near the floor. I have not blown myself up yet....

 

[carryallman]

i built my last solvent -tank barrel! but made the capacity at 2 gallons- that way my fellows dont get it really contaminated right away -w/ extra greasy stuff! plus when its changed its cheaper for 2 gallons -than 4-5 gallons! you can cut a plate out & weld it in the upper part of the barrel real easy !

 

[DocsMachine]

Personally, I found diesel to stink to high heaven. Stoddard type solvent is a lot better, until it gets saturated with oil and gunk, at which point it starts to stink again. Haven't tried kerosene or mineral spirits.

Doc.

 

[GrayFlattop]

We use mineral spirits, but a version that has a higher flash point to keep the insurance people happy. As a benefit, it doesn't smell as much as regular mineral spirits, but we buy a 55 gal drum at a time, so I can't really help you with sourcing.

Try low odor mineral spirits - same price as "regular" mineral spirits at the local big box stores.

 

[Mr. D]

I use Crown PSC 1000 parts cleaner from Tractor Supply sold in 5 Gal cans at $45. Bought a very nice automotive commercial parts cleaner for $125 off CL and it cost me $250 to fill it. Been using the same cleaner for 7 years as it gets filtered as it circulates.

HA

 

[Stephenw]

I use low odor mineral spirits. It stinks less and has a higher flash point, 105 degrees.

To the person who suggested naptha; that’s way too flammable to use in a parts washer. The flash point is 50 degrees.

 

[gearhead1]

Mineral spirits here also. I get a 5 gallon can at Lowes or Home Depot.

 

[428PI]

30 years ago at a Ford shop the owner would put some water in the bottom to displace some of the fluid and solvent on top. I've been used to solvent until I started working at CarMax and they use a water based fluid (from SafetyClean) that has to be heated up first (by the tank heater) and it works amazingly well if it's heated. No stink and parts dry fast. Won't cut the grease as well but good enough on the stuff we work on. With gloves on, no stink when I get home!!!!

 

[jloehlein]

I just bought a parts washer and got a drum of Oil Eater the last time Zoro had a 25% off sale. Came out to $6/gal shipped. I have been using it in spray bottles for a while and it works well, looking forward to refurbing this parts washer and having a tank full of it.

 

[matt_i]

I use the Tractor Supply Crown Solvent. 35 gal if I recall right but its a bigger tank.