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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Recirculating Parts Washer

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Quebec Bob

01-10-2006 13:00:56




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Can anyone tell me what is the best fluid to use in a recirculating parts washer, for good cleaning in a safe and hopefully, environmental way. When I was a kid I noticed all the garages I ever used one in, used gas to clean with. I am about to buy one of my own and started wondering what kind of cleaning solvent is used today. One of my concerns is that my shop is in the end of my barn and I do everything I can to avoid fire hazards. Thanks

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Chris Pritchard

01-11-2006 11:57:04




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 Re: Recirculating Parts Washer in reply to Quebec Bob, 01-10-2006 13:00:56  
The solvent we have used all in my lifetime was varsol. Takes grease off in no time flat, and has a percentage better non-combustability compared to kerosene. Dad told me a tale of he was asking a guy if Varsol was extremly flammible. The guy simply threw his cigerette in the barrel of varsol used to wash parts, and the varsol extingished the butt.

The one downside is that varsol is not exactly biodegradible. Taking it to a used oil collection site is reccomended.

Here is a link to a chemical hazard site on varsol:
http://www.chemrest.com/Toxicity%20and%20Risk%20Codes/Stoddard%20Solvent.htm

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Steve Crum

01-11-2006 04:41:50




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 Re: Recirculating Parts Washer in reply to Quebec Bob, 01-10-2006 13:00:56  
The best solvent I've used is from Safety Kleen. I think Safety Kleen as a company is a bunch of snakes but their solvent works great. (I delt with them for 27 years, the last 5 developed this opinion). I tried some ZEP cleaning solvent that I was told was the best thing since toilet paper, might just as well have used toilet paper, cheaper with the same results.



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john d

01-10-2006 19:47:31




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 Re: Recirculating Parts Washer in reply to Quebec Bob, 01-10-2006 13:00:56  
Best protection from fire is a water-based solvent. When you change fluid, let the water evaporate, and then dispose of the leftover solids. Big disadvantages are, it will freeze in cold climate winters, and it doesn't cut really bad crud as well as the petroleum solvents.

I'll agree with the previous poster about AGITENE. It's not cheap, but it's great stuff and it's not as hard on your hands as stoddard solvent or mineral spirits. Your fire concerns are valid. Make sure the lid for your washer has a fuseable link that automatically shuts the lid if a fire starts. Your insurance company will very possibly require that.

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msb

01-10-2006 18:14:05




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 Re: Recirculating Parts Washer in reply to Quebec Bob, 01-10-2006 13:00:56  
Mineral spirits works prety well for occasional use but it does have a smell to it that the little woman doesn't like.I like it because it dries right off with a blast of air when the part is clean and it is relatively inexpensive compared to the other solvents on the market.I buy it a Lowes in 5 gallon cans if I don't find it on sale anywhere before I need it.I used if for years to clean injection pumps back when I ran a diesel room. (Maybe that is why I have had cancer twice.lol,bob)

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CEB

01-11-2006 12:16:31




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 Re: Recirculating Parts Washer in reply to msb, 01-10-2006 18:14:05  
That's what I buy also. Mineral spirits do a good job of cleaning. I buy the low odor mineral spirits at Menards(similar to Lowes). I don't really mind the odor, its just that the low odor stuff was the cheapest. Just bought some last week, it was $2.69 a gallon.



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Mike M

01-10-2006 17:28:59




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 Re: Recirculating Parts Washer in reply to Quebec Bob, 01-10-2006 13:00:56  
My fuel supplier had soddard solvent Rule 66 this was the low fume type.



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John Niolon

01-10-2006 16:48:31




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 Re: Recirculating Parts Washer in reply to Quebec Bob, 01-10-2006 13:00:56  
Best I"ve found is a product called "Super Agitene" WW Grainger sells it. It"s not as harsh on your body parts as Mineral Spirits or Kerosene and honestly the smell isn"t objectionable or linger. It ain"t cheap... 5 gallons was around 50 bucks when I bought it last.. but it last for years in a home shop so it"s still a bargain...

here"s a link to Graymills site... they make it

Link

later
john

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Ron in Nebr

01-10-2006 16:33:01




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 Re: Recirculating Parts Washer in reply to Quebec Bob, 01-10-2006 13:00:56  
When we first built our new shop and bought a "real" parts washer(as opposed to using a tin feed pan out by the gas pump), we just bought a 35 gallon drum of solvent from the same place that delivers our bulk fuel and oil. If you're gonna spend money and buy something(like you'd have to if you bought gas or kerosene or whatever), just as well get the right stuff.

Used up that 35 gallons in about 13 years....last time I bought some, about two years ago, I just bought a couple 5-gallon buckets of solvent from the local parts store....seems to work just as good.

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Yugrotcart

01-10-2006 14:19:47




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 Re: Recirculating Parts Washer in reply to Quebec Bob, 01-10-2006 13:00:56  
I use kerosene in my parts washer. Just keep it on the opposite side of the shop to the welder, and keep the lid closed when not in use.



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