Parts Cleaner Sovent

[Destroked 450]

I have a old Safety-Clean parts washer that sets on top of a 16 gallon grease drum, I’ve been using a 4-1 mix of kerosene and mineral spirits that does a pretty decent job of cleaning
A higher ratio of mineral spirits cleans better but if to high of a ratio flash rusting can become an issue as well as cost and evaporation, in open tank style parts washers keeping the lid closed when not in use helps control evaporation and reduces odors in the shop
Mine has a trash trap with a fine screen in the bottom of the sink that catches any particles big enough to cause issues with the pump, when solvent starts backing up in the sink it’s time to pull and clean out the trap. I’ll usually add a gallon of mineral spirits once a year to replenish lose from use and evaporation, if it gets real low we add more kerosene
Even though the fluid gets dirty looking I go 4-5 years before changing it

 

[Stephen Newell]

I'm thinking about buying one of the HF parts washers and was wondering if the old solvents are still available. I think the stuff we used years ago was called Stoddard solvent or something like that.

Stoddard solvent is another name for mineral spirits or paint thinner. Before I would use it I would make sure it was compatible with the parts washer.

 

[Fixingfarmer]

I guess I’ve had the opposite luck with the harbor freight cleaner and parts washer I’ve had it 4 years or so change the green water based fluid annually I dump 2 complete jugs in and then add the water with the hose and doesn’t smell bad.

We also use the water based green stuff in the mop to clean the floor.

Let me be very clear I have a hotsy as well so it’s not like I’m dumping nasty brake shoes off a truck in and expecting great things. It’s more gentle on paint than other things

 

[kencombs]

I've used most of the things mentioned already. And one that hasn't been. Jet-A from the local airport. Twice as expensive as diesel (usually), kind of different right now. Half the cost of mineral spirits from Lowes. Almost identical to kerosene, so cleans better than diesel, less than mineral spirits.

Big stuff gets soaked with whatever I'm using this week followed with a blast from the pressure washer. If it's getting painted, it gets a shot of Purple Power or similar from the pressure washer to remove all the oily residue.

 

[drsportster]

Nobody likes Agitene ?

 

[mjsnodgrass]

I'm thinking about buying one of the HF parts washers and was wondering if the old solvents are still available. I think the stuff we used years ago was called Stoddard solvent or something like that.

PSC 1000 @ tractor supply. about 55 bucks for 5 gallons. almost as good as stoddard solvent. good luck

 

[JD Dave]

Varsol is the best for cleaning. We used it back in the 1960's when you could buy a 55 gallon drum of it for $25 bucks. I haven't bought any lately but I'd guess that 2 1/2 gallons cost that today. Mineral spirits is a 1st cousin but not as refined.

 

[GermantownGreen]

Diesel is the last thing you want for washing parts, it is pretty much useless. Gas works way better but it’s highly flammable. I use gas a lot but not in a washer. Only in a cut off pail or pan. You want varsol.

We keep a gas bucket, metal five gallon bucket with the metal clip lid. But keep it by the sliding door post away from the activity.
Then you can put your parts in there, setting on top of an old metal milk crate, to not have to stoop over.
When the gas gets cruddy, use for weed control.
Clean gas and good to go.
GG Wes

 

[urbancase]

We have 7 solvent tanks in our shop for cleaning parts or die sections, I have them set up with rule 66 mineral spirits. It’s a little safer due to the altered flashpoint. If you are buy a tank set up make sure it has the safety link in case of fire it closes. Years ago we did production parts washing in a solvent dip system and we used a citrus sol product that part of the chemical make up was made from orange peels, worked good and we ran it for years.

 

[timcasbolt]

Nobody likes Agitene ?

You're funny.

 

[showcrop]

We have 7 solvent tanks in our shop for cleaning parts or die sections, I have them set up with rule 66 mineral spirits. It’s a little safer due to the altered flashpoint. If you are buy a tank set up make sure it has the safety link in case of fire it closes. Years ago we did production parts washing in a solvent dip system and we used a citrus sol product that part of the chemical make up was made from orange peels, worked good and we ran it for years.

"citrus sol product that part of the chemical make up was made from orange peels" This is the D'limonene mentioned earlier.

 

[Rich'sToys]

I don't have a parts washer, but for scrubbing parts with a brush I use paint thinner (mineral spirits). Does a good job of cutting grease, and doesn't leave an oily film like diesel fuel does.

 

[urbancase]

"citrus sol product that part of the chemical make up was made from orange peels" This is the D'limonene mentioned earlier.

Yea I forgot about that same thing, we bought it in 330 gal totes back in the day. Not sure what’s on the market like this now.

 

[1948CaseVAI]

40 dollars a gallon for varsol and is considered a hazardous waste!! I'll stick with diesel i guess!

How often do you plan to toss the Varsol? I would hope it is very seldom (maybe not even annually depending on your use) which really negates the waste issue.

 

[a49deere]

How often do you plan to toss the Varsol? I would hope it is very seldom (maybe not even annually depending on your use) which really negates the was

 

[Hobo,NC]

I'v used Varsol for over 50 years I am addicted to it. Its always been high so 35 years ago are so I started stocking up on it. I use to change it out once a year I don't do much heavy repairs anymore so it may last 2,3 years.

As far as getting rid of it I can pass it on to a friend are pour it in a can and burn it. I can also pour it in my used motor oil drum.

 

[miangus]

I use a mix of number one kerosine and a pats cleaner I get at the auto parts store. I miss having the Safety-Kleen contract.

 

[DanielW]

Here in Canada you can still get classic, oil-based parts washer solvents. The stuff I get (picture below) looks, smells, and cleans just like varsol - I'm pretty sure it is essentially varsol. But it's a little cheaper to buy in these 5-gallon pails than it is to buy varsol from the hardware store. I imagine if you can get it here in Canada, you must be able to down in the US. It's a little harder to come across, because most of the Napa-type stores want to sell water-based stuff. I get mine form Princess Auto, which is similar to Harbour Freight down in the US. It's still not cheap. I try and give parts a good wipe-down to remove excess gunk before going in the washer, just so I can prolong how long my fluid lasts. I usually get a few years out of it, topping up occasionally.

You might give water-based cleaners a second try for some parts - but don't dilute to the amount they suggest. Water-based cleaners are pretty much useless if you dilute them anywhere close to what they often tell you to. But used straight, I've been pretty impressed with them. I use the water-based 'Super-Clean' degreaser fully concentrated to clean grime from inside fuel tanks before I do an acid wash, and I dump the used stuff into a Rubbermaid container. I have a 10 gallon Rubbermaid container that's now almost full of slightly-used super-clean. I use it to wash parts, and I've found it does about as good a job as the varsol in the parts washer does for most things. I hardly use the parts washer anymore - the degreaser in the rubbermaid container does almost as well and is lot nicer to smell and stick your hands into. There are definitely some times the varsol works better - for tacky substances or adhesives the super clean is nearly useless. But for regular dirt/grease/grime, they seem to work about the same.

 

[SkipperII]

We have 7 solvent tanks in our shop for cleaning parts or die sections, I have them set up with rule 66 mineral spirits. It’s a little safer due to the altered flashpoint. If you are buy a tank set up make sure it has the safety link in case of fire it closes. Years ago we did production parts washing in a solvent dip system and we used a citrus sol product that part of the chemical make up was made from orange peels, worked good and we ran it for years.

We used the citri sol solvent for quite a while, as well as their spray can cleaners. After about a year, all three, in our shop had the feeling of eating too many oranges in our mouths, from the smell. But it did clean very well.

 

[scootergmc]

I don't know what Dieseltech uses, but when I get my injection pumps back from him they sure smell good, and it's not citrus...