Tool cleaning solvent that won't eat paint

[Krician]

First of all, i am a tool polisher and if you aren't a tool polisher, i suggest you keep your opinions to yourself please.

When I started working at my shop, i noticed my Co workers just shoot brake clean on rags and go at their tools. Yes it's good on sockets and metal tools, but I noticed on rubber handles like pliers- the color really bleed onto the rag or old hard style Snap on screw drivers- it melts the surface.. does anyone have a good cleaning solvent that is safe for tools? I was thinking a citrus degreaser or simple green. Thanks!

 

[articsilber323]

i use wd-40

 

[SAATR]

Loctite penetrating oil we use at work. Takes the oil and grease off my soft handled stuff without removing paint. Wouldn't recommend PB Blaster due to the smell.

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[Krician]

i use wd-40

I tried that on my Klein cutters and snap on pliers- after having plenty of brake dust on the handles, it doesn't remove as much as brake clean..

 

[kiatech]

I don't think you will find anything effective as brake clean with out giving up some cleaning ability.

 

[jakemac]

Simple Green. Then a light coat of oil.
But don't leave the SG on long, it can soften paint causing it to come off when you wipe with a cloth.

Before and After (with a little wire wheel and buffing before the oil)

 

[Fedwrench]

I throw my nasty stuff into the cuda (hot water parts washer) when needed.

I would recommend simple green as others have.

I would only use purple power or super clean if it's diluted with water.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Gunk makes a tool cleaner that seems to work will, or simple green. I use wd40 sometimes abs it works ok.

 

[DirtyWeRX]

Well, its not a solvent, but I use this to clean up various metal things arounnd the shop and works well on tools

http://www.autogeek.net/p153.html

 

[newspeed]

I find dish soap on a green pad and warm water to work extremely well. Safe on paint and your hands.

 

[Wamsutta]

I was thinking a citrus degreaser or simple green. Thanks!

Both of those are corrosive when left in contact with metal for prolonged periods of time. Would you clean you hands with a caustic cleaner like Simple Green? How about a degreaser with citric acid in it? White GOJO is safe for hands and tools.

 

[BlindViper]

Both of those are corrosive when left in contact with metal for prolonged periods of time. Would you clean you hands with a caustic cleaner like Simple Green? How about a degreaser with citric acid in it? White GOJO is safe for hands and tools.

you'll find most water based cleaners are corrosive to metal over time.

 

[sberry]

I am not a polisher but don't care for grease all over either. It wipes off but I really try not to get it on in the first place, I wipe as much off before as I can.

 

[Techie1961]

Brake cleaner is usually perchloroethylene and I have a LOT of experience with that solvent. I service the dry cleaning industry and that is the solvent of choice. With Perc, there are not many plastics and paints that are not vulnerable to it. It's a strong solvent. If you want a good basic solvent that is easy on most all plastics, use plain old varsol. It won't cause corrosion or ruin paint and cuts oil and grease quite well. It is flammable but because it isn't very volatile, it is tough to ignite.

If you want something that is less flammable (very tough to ignite) and almost as strong, find a dry cleaner in your area that says he uses "organic" solvent. It is likely that he is using DF2000 which is similar to Varsol. Don't get me started on the whole "organic" thing in dry cleaning though. It's a bunch of BS if you really know what "Organic" in chemistry means. Perc is a VOC which as some will know, the "O" in VOC stands for organic.

 

[stikman56]

First of all, i am a tool polisher and if you aren't a tool polisher, i suggest you keep your opinions to yourself please.

When I started working at my shop, i noticed my Co workers just shoot brake clean on rags and go at their tools. Yes it's good on sockets and metal tools, but I noticed on rubber handles like pliers- the color really bleed onto the rag or old hard style Snap on screw drivers- it melts the surface.. does anyone have a good cleaning solvent that is safe for tools? I was thinking a citrus degreaser or simple green. Thanks!

Mineral spirits