What solvent to use

[brookscooper]

So, I'm now, finally, at the point of being ready to purchase a solvent tank for my newly built shop.

I have room for the larger tank that sits on a 55 gallon drum of stoddard solvent, or a free standing tank.

Most of what I work on is motorcycles and their constituent parts and thus the largest thing I'll put in the tank is not as big as the car guys will.

My question is mostly about what SOLVENT to use.

I love stoddard solvent but I worry about evaporation. Realistically, my tank will get used once or twice a month, at most.

It will be closed when not used, of course, but I'm not keen on solvent vapors penetrating everything in the vicinity

What are your recommendations?

Stoddard?

Kerosene?

Simple Green in some dilution?

Other water based solvents?

I'm not a shop-for-hire so if the solvent I use takes a little longer than a petro-chemical one to do the job that is not the end of the world.

All opinions appreciated. Informed ones revered.

 

[Givl Reggin]

I don't like water based solvents on metal - too great a risk of rust forming in the nooks and crevices. Mineral spirits would be my choice, also gasoline works very well to remove grease and grime.

 

[Fixnair]

I have successfully used real paint thinner since they outlawed stoddard solvent in California. I use a parts washer from HArbor Freight and fill it with about 10 gallons of solvent. I used some simple green aircraft degreaser in it once instead of solvent and it ate a hole in the bottom of my tank.

 

[Outlawmws]

Stoddard won't evaporate THAT fast if you have a reasonably tight connection between the washing tank and the reservoir. the only other evaporation point is the drain back to the reservoir, so make a small diameter cover and glue some sheet rubber on it. That's what I did...

I lose far more to the parts I'm washing when they leave the solvent tank area, than to evaporation.

 

[rlitman]

since they outlawed stoddard solvent in California.

Can you get VM&P Naphtha, or Coleman fuel? They're all pretty much the same thing.

 

[ImportTuner]

I have successfully used real paint thinner since they outlawed stoddard solvent in California. I use a parts washer from HArbor Freight and fill it with about 10 gallons of solvent. I used some simple green aircraft degreaser in it once instead of solvent and it ate a hole in the bottom of my tank.

Stoddard solvent (aka Mineral Spirit) is NOT outlawed in California. You can pick it up at any Ace, Home Depot, OSH, and any local mom and pop hardware store.

 

[bobcatdan]

Kerosene works pretty good. I have parts washer fluid from tractor supply and am happy with it, About $40 for 5 gallons

 

[Outlawmws]

Can you get VM&P Naphtha, or Coleman fuel? They're all pretty much the same thing.

You are only half right. Coleman Naphtha, White Gas, in GB, Panel wipe; all about the same.

Stoddard is more like Mineral Spirits, AKA, Paint thinner, white spirits... depending on where you live.

The Critical difference is Flashpoint. Stoddard by design has a higher flash, and even there it depends on type:

T1 Low FP= 130–144 °F
T2 Regular FP = 145–174 °F
T3 High FP 175–200 °F

Making it safer. The Naphtha family is close to 100 across the board.

 

[evintho]

10 gallons of Purple Power bought at Autozone. About $23 for 5 gallons. Every time you spend $20 for anything you get 1 point. 5 points gets you $20 credit. 10 gallons of Purple Power is worth 2 points. I diluted mine and it cuts the thickest grease. I do alot of very greasy car parts. No stench at all. I keep the lid closed on my HF parts washer and have had the PP for over a year with hardly any evaporation, at all.

 

[premierplayer]

I'm a mineral spirts user, I just did a quick google for varsol and came up with this, the red stuff (last post) sounds interesting
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/tip...ther-similar-parts-washer-solvent-122464.html

Ed's Red homade parts washer solvent

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have been using a homade solvent called Ed's Red. Two parts kerosene, two parts mineral sperits, one part WD 40 and one Qt. ATF. This works very well and has a high flash point. I have tried to ignite a small amount directly with flame and it didn't light up though it still is flamable.

 

[NOZZLEMAN]

I just got four 5 gallon pails of PSC1000 from Tractor Supply and it IS the bomb !! Great stuff and cheap. It's petro based (mineral spirits feel to it) and works fantastic

Good Luck !!

 

[zuk123]

Stoddard solvent (aka Mineral Spirit) is NOT outlawed in California. You can pick it up at any Ace, Home Depot, OSH, and any local mom and pop hardware store.

FWIW, many things that a private citizen can go into Home Depot and buy are NOT legal in California for commercial uses. That may be what Fixnair meant.

Look up "South Coast Air Quality Management District" for more info if you want.

Also FWIW, the restrictions have made a HUGE difference in air quality in only a couple of decades. When I was working there in the early 90's you usually couldn't see the hills that surrounded you, the sky was always brown/grey/overcast, and you would start coughing as soon as you entered the LA Basin. It's like a whole different place now.

zuk

 

[HTGTS350]

I use kero, the best solvent there is for parts washers but the last refill cost me nearly $5 a litre and my tank takes about 100L.

 

[KTM300]

I tried the garbage they sell at Harbor freight first and realized I was getting hosed. I then went to SaftyKleen and got their stuff and it seems to kick ****. I think it is around $60 for 5 gallons so not the cheapest alternative but it also has a low flash point and doesnt seem to evaporate very quickly. I rebuilt 320 locomotive rocker arms with about 3 gallons and was amazed at the resilience of the stuff. I have used kerosene as well and it works good too.

 

[nti06]

Has anybody used Pb Blasters solvent? http://www.blastercorporation.com/Parts_Washer_Solvent.html

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I have a bunch of old dirty diesel given to me. How would that work?

 

[Fixnair]

I live in Bakersfield, CaliMexifornia. It is known to have the dirtiest air in the nation. We live at the south end of a long valley and the air from San Francisco, Sacramento and the entire coast gets trapped here. When you want to buy paint thinner, you get a water based chemical. I tried it on my last refill and boy is it junk. The oil & grease you remove floats on the top and saturates your clean part when you remove them.
Thanks for the tip about the cleaner at Tractor Supply. I think I'll check on that tomorrow .

 

[Hawke]

I have used some biodiesel for the past few years. It takes everything off, even the paint on the parts cleaner.

Pros - Its cheap - about a $1 per litre. There is a place nearby that sells it. It doesn't evaporate. Doesn't explode.

Cons - Thick, so it is pumped slower. Leaves an oily film on bits.

 

[ZRX61]

I can't believe the guys using corrosive stuff in parts washers... especially Purple Power

 

[Steinmetz]

FWIW, many things that a private citizen can go into Home Depot and buy are NOT legal in California for commercial uses. That may be what Fixnair meant.

Look up "South Coast Air Quality Management District" for more info if you want.

Also FWIW, the restrictions have made a HUGE difference in air quality in only a couple of decades. When I was working there in the early 90's you usually couldn't see the hills that surrounded you, the sky was always brown/grey/overcast, and you would start coughing as soon as you entered the LA Basin. It's like a whole different place now.

zuk

You should have seen it in the 1960's. The LA Basin is 300% better today.

 

[Steinmetz]

I don't like water based solvents on metal - too great a risk of rust forming in the nooks and crevices. Mineral spirits would be my choice, also gasoline works very well to remove grease and grime.

I wouldn't use gasoline. Too volatile. Diesel fuel would be safer.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Gunk SC thinned with paint thinner / mineral spirits / stoddard solvent is outstanding at cutting grease. But it stripped the paint off my HF parts washer.

I can't believe the guys using corrosive stuff in parts washers... especially Purple Power

Please add to the "this is what you should use" pile instead of making a null participatory post.

 

[Outlawmws]

Gunk SC thinned with paint thinner / mineral spirits / stoddard solvent is outstanding at cutting grease. But it stripped the paint off my HF parts washer.

Please add to the "this is what you should use" pile instead of making a null participatory post.

I don't see his post that way at all. it's a valid point, the same as the comment about not using Gasoline...

 

[Gregg33]

Varsol aka. mineral spirits has worked good for me.

 

[All]

Read this thread, searched for more threads like it, and still trying to decide what the best solvent to use in my new parts washer (65 litres).

The more effective the solvent is, the less time I will be exposed to it, which when coupled with a respirator might be safer than a supposedly safe water based solvent that takes 6 times longer to scrub the grime away, exposing me to whatever they find out in the future was unsafe about it.

Anyway, looking for an extremely effective solvent that won't destroy the parts or me. If it makes any difference, the pump on my parts washer is pneumatic, not electric... presumably to avoid spark ignition.

So far, the candidates appear to be:

- Crown PSC 1000 at TSC
- Stoddard Solvent
- Kerosene
- Diesel Fuel
- Mineral Spirits
- Naptha
- Brake Cleaner (by the gallon or 5 gallon pail)
- Citrus Cleaners (some sold at the dollar store)
- Simple Green
- Purple Power (some say it's caustic, other's say it promotes corrosion)
- Homemade concoctions involving mixtures of some of the above candidates

Are there other effective "solutions" for solvents in parts washers?

 

[outdoorsman310]

I would get the stoddard solvent! water based solvents are only a little better than pee pee

 

[CWP1616L]

The military uses PD680.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

The more effective the solvent is, the less time I will be exposed to it, which when coupled with a respirator might be safer than a supposedly safe water based solvent that takes 6 times longer to scrub the grime away, exposing me to whatever they find out in the future was unsafe about it.

The military uses PD680.

Hhmmm.....makes you wonder...http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/1992...-linked-to-solvent-containing-deadly-benzene/

 

[All]

Hhmmm.....makes you wonder...http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/1992...-linked-to-solvent-containing-deadly-benzene/

Sobering.

That article was written in 1992. I've just now googled Mike Page to find out what happened to him (ie, when he died) and was not able to find anything.

For those that didn't read the article, it appears that solvents containing even trace amounts of ethyl benzene can increase one's risk of cancer by 560% to 2,100%, depending on the study and conditions referenced.

Wow. Those are not very good odds.

So now, about that solvent... I have a fancy new 15 gallon recirculating solvent tank, that sits empty and unused for lack of information about what the safest AND most effective solvent might be to use in it. One that won't cause cancer in me, and won't cause rust in the parts cleaned.

Please keep this discussion going!

 

[Outlawmws]

You know, Stoddard solvent (Basically high flash point mineral spirits.) has been used effectively and reasonably safely for a LONG time. Why all these repeated threads and questions about "something new"?



If you are using ANY harsh chemicals, you wear suitable gloves, don't do it in an enclosed space, and just get it done.

If you don't like Stoddard, get a gallon of Simple Green and use that as a soak, (just be more careful with aluminum parts...)

Or you can get an old dishwasher and hook that up, and just use dishwashing detergent, and let the machine do most of the work. (My preference is the older Maytag Jet Clean machines. MDB model no. series... Most effective dishwasher I ever used...)

 

[harvey29]

I've heard good things about purple power

 

[pepi]

What do you not like about aluminum and simple green? I have not seen any problem is why I ask, would like to know what to be watching for?

 

[Outlawmws]

What do you not like about aluminum and simple green? I have not seen any problem is why I ask, would like to know what to be watching for?

I use it on aluminum all the time but people have reported that SG can eat into aluminum (It has a mild acid in it). I suspect it depends on grade and finish as well; I've never had an issue myself, but I don't leave aluminum parts to soak for days like I will steel either..

 

[alphil]

Please excuse my ignorance,but AFA Eds red,how many ounces in a "part"? Or is the quart of ATF "one part"?

 

[Outlawmws]

How much do you want to mix? The "part" can be any measurement, as long as its the same for each ingredient:

1 part X
2 parts y

1 oz X and 2 oz's Y

1 Qt X and 2 Qts Y

1 Gal X and 2 gallons Y...

 

[22george]

l use diesel fuep

 

[22george]

Whoops. That was supposed to be diesel fuel

 

[Outlawmws]

That's what the "edit" button if for...

 

[Swan]

+1 to to Tractor Supply PSC1000. It is basically naphtha.