Parts washer solvent?

[bowtiebuba]

Whats a good parts washer solvent? ive got a snap on parts washer, but im looking for a good cheap if possible and easy to get solvent from a parts store or something? Im not intrested in useing diesel kerosene

 

[Bull]

How cheap do you need it to be?

When I had a parts washer while working on a couple old Pontiacs, I used Simple Green, full-strength. Might also consider Zep orange citrus degreaser, which I have used on heavily greased tools with good results. Both of these can be had from Home Depot for $10 per gallon or less.

 

[Tim Cowan]

I like to use naptha but the the OHSHA is against it.

 

[RAYJAY]

Mineral sprites any home depot or lowes
jeff

 

[Eldogg]

I use mineral spirits in mine too. I buy mine a the local fuel/oil distributor.(Harrison Oil) 1/2 the price of Home Depot/Lowes. The secret additive is a quart of ATF for every 10 gal. of mineral spirits. ATF lubes the pump and it won't dry your hands out as fast.

 

[GTO]

In before "we can't buy that stuff here in CA" people.
HD has the large containers of ZEP IIRC,simple green too.

 

[saabman]

I used to use "Super Agitane" (sp?) but it is now outlawed in Maine, so now I use "Oil Eater" The latter is more of a strong soap, the former while water based was more of a witches brew.

 

[Givl Reggin]

You guys using water based products aren't you concerned about rust?

 

[JohnFreeman]

I pick solvents and chemicals by whether they're banned in California (if so, it generally means the stuff is effective). Might have to add Maine to the list it seems.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Some of this was recently discussed in this thread............

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67340

Charles

 

[Davefr]

I pick solvents and chemicals by whether they're banned in California (if so, it generally means the stuff is effective). Might have to add Maine to the list it seems.

Isn't that the truth. I also avoid any label that includes "Eco" or "Green". That also means the product is ineffective.

A good homemade solvent is Ed's Red. It's equal parts of Acetone, ATF, Kerosene and mineral spirits.

Another good alternative is Coleman Fuel. It's Naptha or white gas. I find it at garage sales all the time for about $.25/gallon. No one seems to be into gas powered camping appliances these days so the fuel goes cheap.

 

[Strouty]

I used to use "Super Agitane" (sp?) but it is now outlawed in Maine, so now I use "Oil Eater" The latter is more of a strong soap, the former while water based was more of a witches brew.

Since when has that stopped us before? I just tried simple green, 50/50 mixed, it has a pretty overwhelming odor and I can "feel" it in my eyes. I have a 30x60x12 tall shop, if I go away for a couple of days after using the parts washer, it smells pretty strong. Maybe I am a wimp, but I have used kerosine before and it did not bug me like the simple green does.

 

[bowtiebuba]

do you guys know of a solvent sold at a parts store that is any good

 

[Vinko]

In before "we can't buy that stuff here in CA" people.

You can buy it, sometimes, just can't use it for certain applications. And lest we condemn all of the Golden State, it's Southern California that has, afaik, the worst of the laws.

 

[cglasgow]

I've been using Zep's equivalent of Purple stuff (unheated) and have been pretty disappointed. It doesn't clean well and my parts washer is getting rusty. It's a Northern Hydraulics washer about 3 years old and the manual said "Do not use solvent-based cleaners!" The pump manual that came with it showed the pump being installed in a koi pond or something.

Anyone using a solvent-based cleaner in something like this? Would it destroy the pump and/or be a fire hazard?

Cheers!

 

[Falcon67]

Mine has 10 gal mineral spirits and a quart of ATF. I need to refresh it, bet what's left in there is most excellent weed and fire ant killer...

 

[BlindViper]

I use the stuff from tractor supply. Its called psc 1000 its 39$ for 5 gallons. It works just like the zep stuff and has a high flash point.

 

[Art From De Leon]

do you guys know of a solvent sold at a parts store that is any good

Go to NAPA and get their 'Safety Kleen".

 

[bowtiebuba]

Go to NAPA and get their 'Safety Kleen".

this "saftey kleen" whats some more info on it?

 

[nate379]

10 mins of use and there is more than enough lube in there. I don't see why you would add more! They make distillers to clean the oil out even!

I use mineral spirits in mine too. I buy mine a the local fuel/oil distributor.(Harrison Oil) 1/2 the price of Home Depot/Lowes. The secret additive is a quart of ATF for every 10 gal. of mineral spirits. ATF lubes the pump and it won't dry your hands out as fast.

 

[fomocoforrester]

+1 on using plain mineral spirits.

and +1 on not adding any lube. You should be using gloves anyway...

 

[BlindViper]

+1 on using plain mineral spirits.

and +1 on not adding any lube. You should be using gloves anyway...

Gloves are a must and the ones passed the wrist are even better

 

[Kent763]

Isn't that the truth. I also avoid any label that includes "Eco" or "Green". That also means the product is ineffective.

A good homemade solvent is Ed's Red. It's equal parts of Acetone, ATF, Kerosene and mineral spirits.

Another good alternative is Coleman Fuel. It's Naptha or white gas. I find it at garage sales all the time for about $.25/gallon. No one seems to be into gas powered camping appliances these days so the fuel goes cheap.

Why would anyone use acetone considering how quickly it evaporates off?

 

[bowtiebuba]

mineral spirits vs. store brand solvent advantagees disadvantages?

 

[vdubnluvn]

i get mineral spirits off the local chemical guys. it tends to fall off the truck. 7 gallons for $20.

i have found nothing better cept ol skool varsol, but i cant find it anymore.

 

[BlindViper]

mineral spirits vs. store brand solvent advantagees disadvantages?

Mostly additives to raise the flash point of the fluid. Smell wise i dont notice much of a difference.

 

[xstubsx]

ive always used varsol. (paint thinner)

 

[scooby074]

Varsol AKA Mineral Spirits.

SafetyKleens products are good too, if you can get them.

 

[nate379]

The one guy that is using gas/white gas, etc... I would be careful of that stuff!

Mineral Spirits has a flash point more like diesel... IE you can pretty much smoke while using the stuff.

20 gals of gas in an open container?? Forget the lid open and send some sparks that way from the grinder or welder... you won't be posting on here anymore!


For sure on the gloves. The stuff I use is Stoddard Solvent and it will BURN your skin if you don't use gloves. It slowly melts nitrile gloves to, just like brake cleaner does.

 

[scooterseats]

Gloves are a must and the ones passed the wrist are even better

Pure Kerosene is soothing to the skin and actually seems to reduce the pain and soreness or nicks and small cuts. Remember our ancestors routinely used Kerosene (Coal Oil) for antiseptic purposes.

 

[nate379]

Problem with Kero/diesel is it doesn't leave the part oil free. Plus the smells is a ***** to get off you! Spill a little on your pants and everything in that load of laundry will smell like it.

With mineral spirits you can pull it out of the parts washer, blow it off, and paint it.

 

[edl]

I pick solvents and chemicals by whether they're banned in California (if so, it generally means the stuff is effective). Might have to add Maine to the list it seems.

 

[AJ1978]

Here is what I did. I asked this question about a month ago. I bought the PSC1000 at Tractor Supply for 39.99 for 5 gallons. I got 10 gal of it. It worked good, a little hard on the skin tho. I had passed up some "stoddard kensolv 30" at my local fuel supplier. I went and got 5 gal of that, cheaper yet. In the end the PSC1000 from Tractor Supply was a good deal. But out there in IOWA you are sure to have some fuel suppliers, see if they have a stoddard solvent, they are reasonable priced and clean well.

I cannot stand simple green's odor.
Anything that is real heavy i try to clean with PURPLE POWER, and water, either in a tub, or with Pressure washer. Purple power works great on engine blocks, and heads, spray let sit, and hit with the 2500 3 GPM prx washer. Works great