Parts washer solution question

Alan K · Dec 18, 2015

I have a 20 gallon parts washer in the shop that Im setting up to use. What is a good cleaning solution to use in it that wont damage the pump and is "reasonably" safe? The parts manual states to use only water based solvents but have heard they don't clean the best. It is in a heated shop...when Im in there, but can get down to below freezing so that is a concern as well.

fixerupper · Dec 18, 2015

If you use a water based solvent you will eventually have rusted hinges and metal parts in your washer. The bottom of my parts washer eventually rusted through from using water based solvent for a year. I changed to mineral spirits adter that but the damage was done. Mineral spirits is somewhere around $49 for a 5 gallon pail.

David G · Dec 18, 2015

I would change out the pump for one that supports mineral spirits, water based sucks.

RalphWD45 · Dec 18, 2015

I use diesel in mine.

jimg.allentown · Dec 18, 2015

Mineral spirits is about the best and safest but not the cheapest. It is not highly flammable like gasoline or naptha (too dangerous to use indoors in any quantity) or smelly like kerosene. It is also what Safety-Kleen uses in their leased parts cleaners.

coshoo · Dec 18, 2015

The advantage of mineral spirits is that after washing, the parts dry clean so you can paint them. Washing with diesel leaves an oily film, that you have to get rid of before painting.

J.Wondergem · Dec 18, 2015

I have a pneumatic one that I use mineral spirits in.

JD John · Dec 18, 2015

Yep, mineral spirits is they only way to go! Tried water based stuff didn't work very long and it needed replaced and does not clean as good and forget about using it on wheel bearings, grease and water don't mix! There is a low odor mineral spirit it still has a smell but not real strong.

Dr. Walt · Dec 18, 2015

I use Diesel in my parts washer, but I add a product that NAPA sells that makes the Diesel water soluble. You get the cleaning power of the Diesel but it rinses off with water; and no oily feel to the parts when you're done.

John - OH · Dec 18, 2015

I use mineral spirits in mine. Works very well.

CenTex Farmall · Dec 18, 2015

I bought a second parts washer about 10 years ago for "clean" parts, i.e. new parts out of the box that I wash anyway. The parts washer was labeled for use with water based cleaners and even came with a gfci plug. However, I used mineral spirits in it and it still works fine 10 years later. It's on of the Harbor Freight types. I don't think there any difference in the pumps between it and my other parts washer that also uses mineral spirits.

casecollectorsc · Dec 18, 2015

A product called "Stani-sol".....get it from a bulk fuel distributer. Got it there 47 years ago when the dealer was a Standard Oil dealer. Very good stuff! Smells like dry cleaning clothes use to smell.

Steve in VA · Dec 19, 2015

wonder how much carbon tetrachloride it contains?

Ozlander · Dec 19, 2015

(quoted from post at 05:16:59 12/19/15) wonder how much carbon tetrachloride it contains?

ow that is good stuff.
Still have some in the basement.

Parts washer solution question

Alan K

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fixerupper

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David G

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RalphWD45

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jimg.allentown

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coshoo

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J.Wondergem

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JD John

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Dr. Walt

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John - OH

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CenTex Farmall

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casecollectorsc

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Steve in VA

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Ozlander

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