Parts washer, degreaser

Posted By: GomangoCuda

Parts washer, degreaser - 11/01/08 03:39 PM

What are you using in yours? I want something relatively safe. I don't want anything that eats skin, ruins clothes, disolves plastic, stinks up the whole garage, catches on fire, explodes, You get the idea. At the same time it would be good if it actually removed dirt and grease LOL. Is there such a product? Does it cost an arm and a leg?

Thanks

Posted By: Fastback67

Re: Parts washer, degreaser - 11/01/08 03:42 PM

I use ordinary Simple Green cut 1 to 1 with warm water... Bio Safe and works great... just throw the parts in there, turn it on, and let it go for a while. I stir things up every now and again, rearrange stuff, you know. I like to keep it heated as well, it works a lot better that way.
It removes dirt and grease etc, but it won't harm paint or plastic. It also makes a great laundry aid... got a stubborn greasy stain... just rub a little simple green on there before putting it the laundry.

Posted By: GomangoCuda

Re: Parts washer, degreaser - 11/01/08 03:55 PM

Quote:

I use ordinary Simple Green cut 1 to 1 with warm water... Bio Safe and works great... just throw the parts in there, turn it on, and let it go for a while. I stir things up every now and again, rearrange stuff, you know. I like to keep it heated as well, it works a lot better that way.
It removes dirt and grease etc, but it won't harm paint or plastic. It also makes a great laundry aid... got a stubborn greasy stain... just rub a little simple green on there before putting it the laundry.

Like what you can buy at Home Depot in gallon jugs?
With winter coming I have to ask, Being water based Isn't it going to freeze?

Posted By: Fastback67

Re: Parts washer, degreaser - 11/01/08 03:58 PM

Yup, just plain old ordinary Simple Green from HD, Walmart, etc.

I mix it with warm water when I start and then keep it heated until I'm done cleaning, then I just drain it and dump it.
It really does work great in the parts washer. It does all the work.

Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: Parts washer, degreaser - 11/01/08 04:21 PM

I use mineral spirits in mine, it's the real deal. Will do everything you ask. It's what's in Safety Clean solvent tanks. So it's safe. I've been using it since 1981.

Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: Parts washer, degreaser - 11/01/08 04:31 PM

Quote:

Does it cost an arm and a leg?

Thanks

Here in Cincy it cost $11.00 a gallon at the auto parts store, comes in 5 gal cans. Or I can sell you a 55 gal drum for $387.00 bucks.Sherwin Williams paint store has it for $12.00 a gal. It cost alot but is works the best and is the safest. You can use it for a year or two if your not using it everyday before you will need to change it. When that times comes, you dispose of it just like used motor oil, which is something you can't do with a water based cleaner. Isn't it poluting when you "dump the old" water based cleaner?

Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: Parts washer, degreaser - 11/01/08 04:36 PM

Quote:

With winter coming I have to ask, Being water based Is going to freeze?

There's been many parts washers retired early because this isn't thought about before winter. One more reason to consider a solvent verse water based cleaner. I can't see waiting for something to warm up before using my parts washer.Seems like that would cost electricity.

Posted By: Dart 340

Re: Parts washer, degreaser - 11/01/08 05:31 PM

I have simple green in mine and to be honest it takes a long time to cut things. I always seem to
take the parts out and blast them with brake or carb cleaner. Maybe I am not patient enough.....

I hate to say it, but things that seem to work the
best are not always eco or human friendly...

Posted By: GomangoCuda

Re: Parts washer, degreaser - 11/01/08 05:53 PM

It's looking more like mineral spirits would be best for me. The water based products work best heated which I am not going to do. Freezing could be a big issue.

Anybody know a cost effective way to buy oderless mineral spirits?

Posted By: 451Mopar

Re: Parts washer, degreaser - 11/01/08 06:55 PM

My parts washer has the solvent type mineral spirits. It is made specifically for parts washers. A local fuel distrubitor sells it, and it is despensed from a standard type gas pump, but it is only avaliable at the distribution store, not the normal fuel stores. Anyhow, it works good, but is really hard on the hands/skin so I have some nice chemical gloves to protect my hands. I have thought about going to a water based cleaner, but my parts washer in in an unheated garage, so freezing would be a problem.
A friend of mine who has a transmission shop uses a water based solvent (not sure which brand), but it worked really well and is easy on the hands. I think it comes in powder form in 20 pound buckets?

Posted By: sthemi

Re: Parts washer, degreaser - 11/01/08 06:55 PM

Another Mineral Sprints user here, 12 years, no problems, does not eat skin and does a nice job at cleaning..
Evaporation rate is very slow. maybe a gallon or two per year.

Posted By: Fastback67

Re: Parts washer, degreaser - 11/01/08 08:52 PM

I don't worry about things freezing because I only use the cleaner once and dump it... it's spent by then anyway. Works for me

Posted By: Fastback67

Re: Parts washer, degreaser - 11/01/08 08:56 PM

Quote:

I have simple green in mine and to be honest it takes a long time to cut things. I always seem to
take the parts out and blast them with brake or carb cleaner. Maybe I am not patient enough.....

I hate to say it, but things that seem to work the
best are not always eco or human friendly...

Old solution will be all but useless... Simple Green is not the kind of solvent that you keep stored in the tank indefinitely ... use it and dump it.

I put stuff in my tank that won't come clean with a wire wheel, and they come out spotless. I just keep the fluid moving over the piece with the pump, and the flow takes it away. Plus it's safe to use and discard... Mineral Spirits on the other hand...

Mineral Spirits MSD sheet: http://www.sciencestuff.com/msds/C2135.html

In short...
Keep away from heat and ignition sources. Harmful if swallowed. Avoid breathing vapors. Use with adequate ventilation. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothes. Wash thoroughly after handling. Keep container closed.

Mineral Spirits works great, I use to use it, I just don't anymore. If I had a shop where I had to keep a tank running all the time it might be different, but around the house... Simple Green.

Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: Parts washer, degreaser - 11/01/08 09:52 PM

Quote:

I don't worry about things freezing because I only use the cleaner once and dump it... it's spent by then anyway. Works for me

If I had to stop and mix up a batch of SG every time I want to wash a part, then I would never get anything done.

I use it all the time,not only for car parts but guns parts. Great for cleaning paint brushes too.

Posted By: Fastback67

Re: Parts washer, degreaser - 11/01/08 11:20 PM

Apparently you missed this part...

Quote:

Mineral Spirits works great, I use to use it, I just don't anymore. If I had a shop where I had to keep a tank running all the time it might be different, but around the house... Simple Green.

I never found mixing SG with water to be all that difficult or time consuming either, but that's just me... I guess I'm a multi-tasker