Parts cleaner solvent

Lynn Patrick

Well-known Member
I'm rebuilding my cheapie parts washer w/dual solvent tanks, external filter & pump. I was wondering what you all use for solvent? I would like to go greener/water soluble but have never found one that really did as good a job as the "old fashioned ones" I have always used. Any suggestions???
Thanks!
 
(quoted from post at 15:34:14 01/08/20) I'm rebuilding my cheapie parts washer w/dual solvent tanks, external filter & pump. I was wondering what you all use for solvent? I would like to go greener/water soluble but have never found one that really did as good a job as the "old fashioned ones" I have always used. Any suggestions???
Thanks!

I just purchased a "cheapie" 40 gallon parts washer and have been debating just the opposite - using a solvent cleaner. Have you had any issues with solvents and the pump in your washer? Hate to spend $100 on solvent and then have to re-engineer the pump because the solvent killed it.

TOH
 
Years back when I worked my shop full time I bought a parts washer from Crystal Clean. They sold me the washer and the fluid. They come when I call them, which isn't very often now. They bring nice clean virgin fluid and take the old dirty stuff away. That makes it worthwhile to just call them. They would service the washer even if it wasn't one I bought from them.
 
My pump failed a year ago but I was able to clean it & get it working again. This time I couldn't get it to work, so I'm spending about the same amount of money & installing 2 5 gallon solvent tanks (covered pails) - first will settle the larger particles & second will then go to a filter & then an external pump. There will be no solvent left in the original tank.
I just couldn't see buying another of those wimpy non-repairable pumps!
 
(quoted from post at 12:34:14 01/08/20) I'm rebuilding my cheapie parts washer w/dual solvent tanks, external filter & pump. I was wondering what you all use for solvent? I would like to go greener/water soluble but have never found one that really did as good a job as the "old fashioned ones" I have always used. Any suggestions???
Thanks!
have used diesel for a few years in my Harbor Freight tank. So far so good.
 
I've been using red kerosene in my Northern Tool parts washer for years. It looks just like the ones from Harbor Freight.
 
When rebuilding my 961, I worked in a local semi-professional shop. He used mineral spirits in his parts washer.
 
Using the solvent from Tractor Supply, $40.00 for 5 gallons. the old school stuff, couldn't find a water soluble
product that worked worth a flip.
 



I have used Varsol for 45 plus years the economy would have to get real bad for me to use anything else... About the only thing that will out clean it is gas.

One thing I like about modern cars they don't get dirty/greasy hit it with brake clean and move on with life...
 
(quoted from post at 17:17:58 01/08/20) I've been using red kerosene in my Northern Tool parts washer for years. It looks just like the ones from Harbor Freight.

That's exactly what I wanted to know. I think all of these pumps are basically the same so I will take the plunge. If a solvent does kill the pump I can always retrofit something with better resistance.

TOH
 
MINERAL SPIRITS is an excellent parts cleaner -about $10/gallon. You can use it over and over. Go Greener? OK, try Pine Sol and water but then you need to dispose of it
after. If you want to clean off rust and crud, plain white vinegar works great but takes weeks, months of soaking. Electrolysis is a good quick method of cleaning/rust
removing too.

Tim Daley(MI)
 

I've used Simple Green, in about a 70/30 mix with water for ten years. Works well enough and no chance of fire.
 

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