Solvent Question

[Snafu]

First time poster, long time lurker here.

We moved into our new house (circa 1955) this past Easter. It has a nice 650 sq. ft. shop out back that I am slowly organizing.

I have a parts washer (solvent tank) that I have never had the space to fill up and use, until now. I am trying to find out what type of solvent to use. None of the parts places in town carry anything. I don't have the book in front of me but I remember it saying something like it uses P5 or P6 general cleaners. Google hasn't really helped me, I was only able to find one 5 gallon jug of something that was over $100. It holds 20 gallons, so I am pretty sure that's not the right stuff. I don't imagine you have to fill a $50 parts washer with $400 worth of cleaner.

What is everyone using in their tanks? I will try and post more info later when I get home.

 

[Kevin54]

You don't have an Advance Auto or an AutoZone? Both of those places should have it or should be able to order it for you.

 

[ptschram]

I use diesel fuel. When it's spent, it gets burned.

 

[Snafu]

We have an advance auto........but you know how those places can be. I asked about solvent for a parts washer and I got the "deer in the headlights look". He then asked what I was going to do with it. I told him put it in a parts washer to clean parts......which seem to confuse him more. I will have to do some more googling.

 

[Snafu]

I use diesel fuel. When it's spent, it gets burned.

I thought about that, but this isn't the most expensive parts washer. I was afraid I might need to use something nonflammable.

 

[Kevin54]

We have an advance auto........but you know how those places can be. I asked about solvent for a parts washer and I got the "deer in the headlights look". He then asked what I was going to do with it. I told him put it in a parts washer to clean parts......which seem to confuse him more. I will have to do some more googling.

From Advance Auto, CRC Parts Washer Solvent http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...r-Solvent-CRC_16540036-P_N3227_T|GRP2012_____

 

[Zeke]

We have an advance auto........but you know how those places can be. I asked about solvent for a parts washer and I got the "deer in the headlights look". He then asked what I was going to do with it. I told him put it in a parts washer to clean parts......which seem to confuse him more. I will have to do some more googling.

Ain't the FLAPS grand? "He then asked what I was going to do with it. I told him put it in a parts washer to clean parts." That's priceless.

I think I'd use something non flammable too although it takes a bit to get diesel to ignite..

 

[Carl B]

Mineral Spirits

 

[Al Bundy]

We have an advance auto........but you know how those places can be. I asked about solvent for a parts washer and I got the "deer in the headlights look". He then asked what I was going to do with it. I told him put it in a parts washer to clean parts......which seem to confuse him more. I will have to do some more googling.

That's pretty funny.

 

[ptschram]

I thought about that, but this isn't the most expensive parts washer. I was afraid I might need to use something nonflammable.

If it has a steel tank, it was most likely intended to be used with an organic solvent. If it has a plastic tank, it is likely intended for use with aqueous solvent.

Mineral spirits is expensive, not as universally available and FAR more dangerous than diesel fuel, it takes less energy to ignite and once ignited is much more difficult to extinguish. Back when I smoked, it was not at all uncommon for me to be crouched over the parts washer with a cigarette hanging from my lips.

 

[mtnkrake]

CARQUEST has this on sale right now. $65.00

 

[Shadowdog500]

Assuming it is a metal parts cleaner with a lid get PSC-1000 from tractor supply. about $40 for a 5 gallon drum and it works great! If it is a plastic tank without a lid you want a water based cleaner.

If it is like the HF one it may say 20 gallon but that would fill it to the very top. In reality you will probably put 8 to 10 gallons of solvent in it.

Chris

 

[Dragster Racer]

Mineral Spirits

That is the best, most readily availble stuff I have found.

 

[Provincial]

Another name for organic solvent is "Stoddard Solvent." Most bulk fuel distributors either carry or can get it for you. This is for the steel tank parts washers, and is the "old school" version. Newer, alternative types may work as well or better, but I do not have experience with them.

 

[moto367]

Kerosene

 

[Northstar]

We use stoddard solvent in our tanks at work. Works well.

 

[elmo771]

I have a small 3 gal bench top metal parts cleaner with a lid. I think I got it from harbor freight a while back. There is a label that says to only use a water based solution. Could it be because if the pump? Is there a pump I can install that would be compatable with a petroleum based cleaner?

 

[Zeke]

I have a small 3 gal bench top metal parts cleaner with a lid. I think I got it from harbor freight a while back. There is a label that says to only use a water based solution. Could it be because if the pump? Is there a pump I can install that would be compatable with a petroleum based cleaner?

If they didn't say that can you imagine what people would put in them?

All you have to do is go the HF and see the people shopping there. Not all, but there's enough to make you think you wandered into Walmart.

 

[BigSteve63]

Look for a bulk oil / fuel distributor in your area, ask them if they handle solvent 142. Basically mineral spirits; you should be able to get a 5 gal pail for $25 to $30.

 

[scooterseats]

1+ Kerosene,

I have been using Kerosene for over 50 years and it works very well, You could actually throw a lit cigarette in and it will just extinguish it. It takes a good heat (lit match) to vaporize it enough to light.
An added plus it Kerosene is actually soothing to nicked knuckles and abrasions. Remember our ancestors used "Coal Oil" (kerosene) for many medicinal applications.
I am currently using a HF 20 gallon washer and the pump has had no problems with the Kerosene and it does require 20 gallons to keep the pump suction below liquid level.

 

[Al Bundy]

An added plus it Kerosene is actually soothing to nicked knuckles and abrasions. Remember our ancestors used "Coal Oil" (kerosene) for many medicinal applications.

I've never heard of that before. But it isn't as creepy as a lot of the things I have heard that people used to do in the name of medicine.

 

[Carl B]

I have a small 3 gal bench top metal parts cleaner with a lid. I think I got it from harbor freight a while back. There is a label that says to only use a water based solution. Could it be because if the pump? Is there a pump I can install that would be compatable with a petroleum based cleaner?

Could be the Pump - Could be Safety Regulations - Could be the finish on the Parts Cleaner will dissolve with solvents.

Most Parts Cleaners that are intended to use solvents - have a Fire Safety Lid with a prop that is in effect a FUSE. It melts with the heat from a Fire and Closes to put out the fire.

Solvent Pumps use the solvent for cooling and they stay at temperatures below about 90F when run for prolonged periods {efficient motors run cooler and cost more to build}. Most Cleaning Solvents have Flash Points above 100F. Solvent Pumps may also have tubing that is not effected by solvents {fuel lines} and it too is more costly than cheap vinyls used for detergents.

Harbor Freight sells both types - you just have to read the Owners Manual BEFORE you buy one - they look almost the same and they oddly cost almost the same.. Mine is a 20 gal. Blue/Red and is made for solvents.

FWIW,
Carl B.

 

[Hmrhead]

Growing up on the family farm we used mineral spirits in our parts washer. A 250 gal fuel oil drum with one side cut out. Screen and expanded metal shelves in it based on the size of the parts. Bought it in 55 gal. drums labeled Carrot Oil. They used use it on vegatable farms to keep the bugs off the plants.

 

[elmo771]

I have a small 3 gal bench top metal parts cleaner with a lid. I think I got it from harbor freight a while back. There is a label that says to only use a water based solution. Could it be because if the pump? Is there a pump I can install that would be compatable with a petroleum based cleaner?

I found the manual that came with the cleaner. It was from Northern tool Not HF. It is metal with a fusible link in the steel lid. It says in the brief manual that any other substance other than a water based cleaner may damage the pump. Does any one have a recomedation for a good water based cleaner. Thanks

 

[Aberdale]

I use kerosene. Less odor than diesel fuel, and around here it's cheaper than mineral spirits.

I've been happy with the results.

 

[ptschram]

will dissolve with solvents.

Most Parts Cleaners that are intended to use solvents

Solvent Pumps use the solvent Most Cleaning Solvents have Flash Points above 100F. Solvent Pumps and is made for solvents.

FWIW,
Carl B.

Um, Carl, water is a solvent.

Solvent, solute...

 

[metalmagpie]

I look on CL for painters giving away old paint thinner. That's all I've used in my Graymills for the last 10 years. Works great.

Put a piece of old carpet in the bottom of your parts washer (with a hole for the drain). Catches **** beautifully.

Sir John posted a wonderful thread on making a parts washer years ago and I saved it:

"We're talking plain Paraffin (kerosene to you Yanks) here so don't start whining
about fire/ozone-friendly/or growing **** use what you have to as long as it's
not water soluble.

Standard model:-

Get a 25 gallon open top container and solder a drain bung HALFWAY up the side.
Fit a grill plate on legs in it so that its about 8" from the top. Make this
easy to remove. Fill with water to about 1" below the side drain bung then fill
with paraffin (Kerosene) until just above the top of the grill tray.

Method of use:- Just put your parts in and brush clean. All the ****, rust and
debris will sink to the bottom into the water leaving the kerosene clean. Every
so often drain the kerosene out using the drain bung and save for reuse. Then
tip the water / **** away. If yours neighbour's dog craps on your lawn then
drain the water onto his one night - fair swap.

Deluxe Model:- As above but stand a tray or old sink unit top on the top of the
drum and drop a pond pump onto the grill drain back into drum.

These are so simple but work. I have never seen a commercial unit like this
don't know why. I just gave my last one away the other week. Big plastic Lin Bin
for a tray old kitchen bin for the drum and an old pond pump that kept getting
blocked by algae. Had this 3 years and only cleaned it once."

metalmagpie

 

[J Persons]

I have the HF blue/red 20 gal parts cleaner, and used a petroleum based solvent, for about 10 years before the pump motor died. Took the motor apart and could see where the solvent had eroded the pump internally. So I guess 10 years is a pretty good lifespan for a plastic pump that spent its life immersed in solvent.