Opinions on Parts washer fluid.

[Al K]

+2

I also plumbed mine with an oil filter after the pump. Works like a champ.

View attachment 106094

That's what I need to do;nice setup.

X2-or more-on the mineral spirits. Satman,a bit of advice: if you don't already have a drain installed,DO IT! I need to clean my tank and get fresh fluid;wish my dumb *** had installed a drain PRIOR to dumping in the fluid. Live and learn...

 

[RustyRatRod]

My only problem with mineral spirits is, I forget and leave the lid open and it evaporates. I am glad it's cheap. lol

 

[Cranky]

I have two Safety Clean vats....a large and a small. The small one has what's called 'modified' solvent in it which is just recycled solvent that I bought many moons ago in a 55 gallon drum. That vat is my 'clean' vat and the large one is my 'dirty' vat and it had mineral spirits in it until it got too low and dirty to use it anymore. My nephew came up with some of this new 'green' crap that is pretty much worthless but it was free. I'm about to get rid of what's left and go get some more mineral spirits. All the real dirty crap goes into the large one first and then gets rinsed, dried then gets a final cleaning in the small vat.

 

[hemistix66]

First time bought water enviro safe crap w/new 20 gal parts washer@Harbor Freight.Parts flash rust quick&pump shot craps in 3 months.They warrantied it.New washer then a trip to local Oil dealer to buy 10 gallons of Stanosol=$3 a gallon.That was 4yrs ago.Other than change dirty cleaner no problems.Only
thing I might do different is step up bigger unit from the start.
Greg Smith tools has a nice 40 gallon with better pump(IMO) for a lillte more$.I love filter idea!I'll be doin that

 

[YY1]

As a parts washer, I am currently using a 20 Qt turkey roaster with a 4-1 mix of water, and Simple-Green. I set it to med, and in the morning, carbon is able to brush-off from pistons! If you can wait, this will degrease almost almost anything you can throw at it.

Very interesting...

So what brand is it?

Does it have a basting pump?

 

[kdtjb]

As a parts washer, I am currently using a 20 Qt turkey roaster with a 4-1 mix of water, and Simple-Green. I set it to med, and in the morning, carbon is able to brush-off from pistons! If you can wait, this will degrease almost almost anything you can throw at it.

The only problem I see with this is, that day in november you have to give it up. But other than that, sounds good.

 

[GrabberOrange69]

...this new 'green' crap that is pretty much worthless...

I have yet to find ANY enviro friendly ANYTHING automotive that is worth a sh*t. Fortunately, I don't live in Cali, so I can buy stuff that works. I know right where to buy the old high VOC brake cleaner, etc. How does it help the environment if I have to use 3 cans of the "crap" vs using a 1/3 can of the stuff that actually works, responsibly? I stand here ready and willing to use new stuff, BUT it has GOT to work!

 

[RustyRatRod]

I've tried the enviro stuff before I switched to mineral spirits. It DOES work and it works GOOD........for a short period. The problem with it is that it does not mix with grease and oil. It gets saturated and stops working after a short time. That's too bad too, because I would continue to use it. I have no problem whatsoever with goin green as long as it WORKS.

 

[mguesto]

I did the Harbour Freight tank and went to Tractor Supply and bought the (4) 5 gallon cleaner for the unit.
Then you find out you need about $70 to get it to work. But it is not the same as the saftey kleen stuff.
But it does the job if you leave it in there for a few hours.
when you read the "fine" print it tells you that is only works witht the water based stuff, or the warranty is void
on the pump.
Mine is still working and I did put a drain on it so i can clean it out once in a while.

Matt

 

[RustyRatRod]

I've had my parts washer over 15 years. Same pump the whole time. It said on it not to use mineral spirits. I aint ever had a problem with it.

 

[super-bee_ski]

What was "ORIGINALLY" used in parts washers 30 to 40 years ago?

Screw the "GREEN" stuff.

I'll convert to mineral spirits.
Thanks for the usefull thread!

"Super-bee_ski"

 

[RustyRatRod]

Check this out. I never seen one of these. Anybody familiar with them? Only 6 gallons and they fold up when not in use.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wall-Mounte..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item51a9910b67&vxp=mtr

 

[satman72]

That looks interesting.

Alas, I bought the 20 gallon washer, and then a few weeks later, there was a 40 gallon version on sale for about 30 bucks more than what I paid. I hate when that happens.

Also, like you say Rusty, I like the idea of being green as long as it works and it doesn't cost me a hell of a lot more...

So far, to me, it looks like mineral spirits is the greenest way to go. It's cheap, it lasts a long time, and at least here, it's easy to dispose of.

 

[Cranky]

Went to ChinaMart to see what they had in mineral spirits....NOT cheap at 12 bucks a gallon but the local lube supply has it for just a little over 8 bucks. Still not that cheap. What are y'all paying for it?

- - - Updated - - -

First time bought water enviro safe crap w/new 20 gal parts washer@Harbor Freight.Parts flash rust quick&pump shot craps in 3 months.They warrantied it.New washer then a trip to local Oil dealer to buy 10 gallons of Stanosol=$3 a gallon.That was 4yrs ago.Other than change dirty cleaner no problems.Only
thing I might do different is step up bigger unit from the start.
Greg Smith tools has a nice 40 gallon with better pump(IMO) for a lillte more$.I love filter idea!I'll be doin that

And what is this product? I tried doing a search on it and even speeeled it differently and nothing comes up.

 

[hemistix66]

My local petroleum dealer carries Stanosol. Probably same as Safety Kleen. But that's the brand name. Dad&my big brother used in the early 70's racing sprint cars. So that's all I've ever used. Course been 4yrs I bought 20gal. Probably outlawed now LOL.

- - - Updated - - -

Oh yea,I got kerosene cans to pump it in cuz I buy it in bulk.

 

[RustyRatRod]

They sell 2 kinds......at least here they do. I bet what you got is the "vapor friendly" version (thanks EPA insert eye roll here). Usually, the REAL stuff is like 7 bucks a gallon. Our local Ace Hardware here is real good about runnin it on special when spring comes cause of all the painters. You might try Ace in your area. I've gotten it there for 19.99 for a case of 4 gallons.

Went to ChinaMart to see what they had in mineral spirits....NOT cheap at 12 bucks a gallon but the local lube supply has it for just a little over 8 bucks. Still not that cheap. What are y'all paying for it?

- - - Updated - - -

And what is this product? I tried doing a search on it and even speeeled it differently and nothing comes up.

 

[62MAX]

Well,so far mine has a combination of the original Safe-t-Clean,gasoline,lacquer thinner,alcohol and god knows what else,cleans great,skin still on my hands so I don't worry about it

 

[69rtse4spd]

Talked to a guy in fork truck repair years ago (20), when I was setting mine up. Put the stuff in that will take your skin off, good stuff. He said to cut it with tranny fluid, 50-50 mix, cost less & not so bad on the skin, course I still wear gloves.

 

[Duda]

We have used kerosene for 25 years now, last time I called safety clean it was $200.00 for they to fill it with there product. A little pricey for even me.

 

[scotts74birds]

What we have in the tank in the tool-room, is a citrus-based de-greaser that don't do **** a room temp. But a few hours at 120deg, this stuff really works. Its a safe, non-toxic cleaner. Yeah, kerosine is the ultimate cleaner, but times are changing.
I still swear by my turkey-roaster with 1 part simple-green, and 3 parts water. Set on med. See how your parts look the next day!