Safety Clean/shop wash vat solutions....going to diesel.....?

[Cranky]

I know there's a thread around someplace about this but it was quite awhile ago and maybe someone has found something better? I've been using mineral spirits but over time, I've grown to not like it very much. Maybe it gets old or something but don't like the residue it leaves on things when it evaps and diesel doesn't seem to do that and seems to clean well too. Found this stuff at Tractor Supply (and they are close) It's imported though and who knows what it stinks like. Industrial strength parts cleaner formula is made of Petroleum Distillate and meant for steel products and it's a bit more expensive than diesel.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...e8hc7DghkHHJseBAwFmiGyWBiSEbDBCoaAqaWEALw_wcB

Anyone using something that's not 10 bucks a gallon and works well?? I like Varsol but that mess is 75 a gallon!! I'm thinking for the money, diesel is probably going to win out.....

 

[MarPar]

 

[747mopar]

I know there's a thread around someplace about this but it was quite awhile ago and maybe someone has found something better? I've been using mineral spirits but over time, I've grown to not like it very much. Maybe it gets old or something but don't like the residue it leaves on things when it evaps and diesel doesn't seem to do that and seems to clean well too. Found this stuff at Tractor Supply (and they are close) It's imported though and who knows what it stinks like. Industrial strength parts cleaner formula is made of Petroleum Distillate and meant for steel products and it's a bit more expensive than diesel.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...e8hc7DghkHHJseBAwFmiGyWBiSEbDBCoaAqaWEALw_wcB

Anyone using something that's not 10 bucks a gallon and works well?? I like Varsol but that mess is 75 a gallon!! I'm thinking for the money, diesel is probably going to win out.....

Kerosene is a bit less stinky but even it gets nasty after a little time. I tried some water based cleaner from Summit, worked decent but had scum floating around and started to rott my tank out so I'm back to kerosene until I find something better. I think the best route is going with something you can afford to throw away often.

 

[4speed68rt]

Purple cleaner, from auto zone, a scotch brite pad and a scrub brush. Much easier on the hands and the brain cells. This stuff cleans most stuff that I need to clean. If it doesn't do it, then resort to something solvent based, as a last resort. Laquer thinner of mineral spirits, maybe some carb cleaner. If that doesnt do it, take it to the machine shop and have them vat it.

 

[dadsbee]

I clean my parts in a container of 100LL, works magic.

 

[JonR]

I still use gasoline but I don't do very many parts - only very occasionally.

 

[toolmanmike]

I know there's a thread around someplace about this but it was quite awhile ago and maybe someone has found something better? I've been using mineral spirits but over time, I've grown to not like it very much. Maybe it gets old or something but don't like the residue it leaves on things when it evaps and diesel doesn't seem to do that and seems to clean well too. Found this stuff at Tractor Supply (and they are close) It's imported though and who knows what it stinks like. Industrial strength parts cleaner formula is made of Petroleum Distillate and meant for steel products and it's a bit more expensive than diesel.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...e8hc7DghkHHJseBAwFmiGyWBiSEbDBCoaAqaWEALw_wcB

Anyone using something that's not 10 bucks a gallon and works well?? I like Varsol but that mess is 75 a gallon!! I'm thinking for the money, diesel is probably going to win out.....

Check with Northland Oil in Temple. If it's related to Northland here in town they have Norsolv solvent which is top notch.

 

[747mopar]

Purple cleaner, from auto zone, a scotch brite pad and a scrub brush. Much easier on the hands and the brain cells. This stuff cleans most stuff that I need to clean. If it doesn't do it, then resort to something solvent based, as a last resort. Laquer thinner of mineral spirits, maybe some carb cleaner. If that doesnt do it, take it to the machine shop and have them vat it.

That stuff works great (Purple cleaner) on cleaning the chain lube residue off of my dirt bike but it makes your hands feel slimy in a bad way, doesn't seem very safe on your skin?

 

[PlymCrazy]

Probably get scolded here for potential health risks, but I use brake cleaner for everything from small parts to transmission pans to spot cleaning oil spots on the shop floor. Also spray some on a rag and clean my hands if I'm too greasy to make my way back up to the house without mama seeing greasy fingerprints. I keep 10-12 cans on hand at all times.

Purple Power I've only ever used to degrease large sections of the shop floor. Like to try it on some parts now that you guys mention it, if in fact it's the same stuff.

 

[R413]

You guys need to get some gloves, none of these product should be on your skin or in your lungs.

mineral spirits works for a long time. Gas is good too, but seems to have risen on price for some odd reason.
purple power is great also.

 

[PlymCrazy]

Probably get scolded here for potential health risks...

You guys need to get some gloves, none of these product should be on your skin or in your lungs...

That didn't take long But I agree with you. You're absolutely right. I definitely need to start using gloves more often at the very least.

 

[diesel_lv]

MEK, methyl ethyl ketone, works great. But evaporates fast n is a carcinogenic. Even in the early 80's, the military made us glove up using that stuff. One of the only things I've seen that will actually dissolve gas turned to varnish in old motorcycle gas tanks.

 

[dadsbee]

MEK, methyl ethyl ketone, works great. But evaporates fast n is a carcinogenic. Even in the early 80's, the military made us glove up using that stuff. One of the only things I've seen that will actually dissolve gas turned to varnish in old motorcycle gas tanks.

One good drop of MEK in your eye will blind you.

 

[diesel_lv]

One good drop of MEK in your eye will blind you.

It's strong stuff. Just gotta be extra careful with it. I bet the MSDS sheet recommends respirator w it. But it does work.

 

[Cranky]

I clean my parts in a container of 100LL, works magic.

I rather use something that has a bit higher flash point lol

I still use gasoline but I don't do very many parts - only very occasionally.

Read above....

That stuff works great (Purple cleaner) on cleaning the chain lube residue off of my dirt bike but it makes your hands feel slimy in a bad way, doesn't seem very safe on your skin?

That's what gloves are for!

Probably get scolded here for potential health risks, but I use brake cleaner for everything from small parts to transmission pans to spot cleaning oil spots on the shop floor. Also spray some on a rag and clean my hands if I'm too greasy to make my way back up to the house without mama seeing greasy fingerprints. I keep 10-12 cans on hand at all times.

Purple Power I've only ever used to degrease large sections of the shop floor. Like to try it on some parts now that you guys mention it, if in fact it's the same stuff.

I use brake cleaner too but it's a bit expensive for using in a cleaning vat and it evaps fast even with the lid down.

MEK, methyl ethyl ketone, works great. But evaporates fast n is a carcinogenic. Even in the early 80's, the military made us glove up using that stuff. One of the only things I've seen that will actually dissolve gas turned to varnish in old motorcycle gas tanks.

It's strong stuff. Just gotta be extra careful with it. I bet the MSDS sheet recommends respirator w it. But it does work.

I'm very familiar with MEK. Lots of guys would go over to the unit 'sample spigot' at the refinery and fill a bucket to clean their tools with. Most of them are no longer with us. Did you know that the smell in Weldwood contact cement is MEK? Once the MEK flashes off it leaves the glue to do it's job. Not sure if they still use MEK but they did 15 years ago. It was probably the mid 80's before the refinery started making everyone use gloves on stuff like that and then made it to where we couldn't obtain it so easily in the unit. A lot of people still don't realize that stuff like that penetrates the skin pretty easily.

 

[Cranky]

Check with Northland Oil in Temple. If it's related to Northland here in town they have Norsolv solvent which is top notch.

Thought I had clicked on the 'quote' button on this....oh well. The MSDS says this is mineral spirits.....

 

[gkent]

Where the hell do you live that Varsol is $75 a gallon ?!?!? Its only $18 in Canada !!

Varsol Paint Thinner 3.78 L​

(19)
$17And
98

 

[gkent]

I used "odorless paint thinner" for years. Then it got as expensive as Saf-T-Kleen solvent so I switched. I think the Saf-T-Kleen stuff was actually cheaper.

Ideally you want something that's not going to evaporate easily. Gasoline, does. Varsol did but not too bad. The Saf-T-Kleen stuff seems to have less evaporation than anything else.

 

[hemi71x]

Grease Monkey Pro Cleaning Large/X-Large PVC Coated Gloves 24206-08 - The Home Depot

I have been using these gloves, all the time when cleaning parts, with whatever solution is being used, to save my skin.
Readily available at any Home Depot store.

 

[toolmanmike]

At the local NAPA store.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NCBD105?impressionRank=2