Topic: Parts Washing - What do you use?

[Tofudude]

i picked up a parts washer at harbor freight but i'm not sure what to use in it. i've been using this stuff from my work called purple power before with a spray bottle before and i'm sure it'll work but that stuff isn't to cheap to get 20 gallons of. ANybody try something else?

[ninja turtle]

purple power is a lot cheaper then solvent. thats what i use in my parts washer, about a 50/50 mix of water and purple power. i have a fish tank heater in the parts washer and it works so much better then when its cold. most stuff i just let sit over night (unless its aluminum, purple power will destroy it if left to long) then hit it with a brush and rinse with fresh water.

solvent works so much better and faster but its also dangerous to have in a shop with welding, grinding ect.

[laskt9]

Blaster makes a good solvent

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[emsvitil]

Oil Eater.

Get it at Costco.    If you have a costco business center near you, you can get the 5 gallon version (cheaper that way)

[Cheesemaker]

I don't have a parts washer, but I want one.  But for cleaning parts I always use Purple power, or Orange Magic.  They were throwing out half a barrel of Orange Magic at work, so I loaded up on it.  It's nice and easy on the hands.  But it evaporates over time.  So, I always have to top off my parts washing pan.   

[Tofudude [OP]]

purple power is a lot cheaper then solvent. thats what i use in my parts washer, about a 50/50 mix of water and purple power. i have a fish tank heater in the parts washer and it works so much better then when its cold. most stuff i just let sit over night (unless its aluminum, purple power will destroy it if left to long) then hit it with a brush and rinse with fresh water.

solvent works so much better and faster but its also dangerous to have in a shop with welding, grinding ect.

I'm liking the idea of a 50/50 mix cause that does save quite a bit but i keep thinking the water will make it rust or something.

no joke though solvent is expensive lol guess i'm going purple power.

[IronClad]

i use MEK and a sure shot

[79coyotefrg]

so gasoline and a element from a hot water heater is a bad idea?? 

[abnormaltoy]

i use MEK and a sure shot

The NSA just notified the EPA about this. 


Is MEK even available these days?

[Cheesemaker]

so gasoline and a element from a hot water heater is a bad idea?? 

What are you saying Glen?  Testing the flash point of gasoline?   

[79coyotefrg]

What are you saying Glen?  Testing the flash point of gasoline?   

[79coyotefrg]

The NSA just notified the EPA about this. 


Is MEK even available these days?

one of the main chemicals used to make that plastic coating on the handle of tools.

[79coyotefrg]

seriosly though, I usually use mineral spirits

[abnormaltoy]

one of the main chemicals used to make that plastic coating on the handle of tools.

We used to use it all the time in aviation work. The EPA made us stop. It ruined a lot of land and water around here. The EPA is digging up dirt and burning it and replacing it with a mix of dirt.

[Rockcrawlintoy]

I buy new parts. when i need to wash parts i use super clean

[kneedownnate]

Simple green for just plain dirt/mud, purple power or equivelant, and a steam cleaner or power washer if available.  Water pressure helps, very hot water helps a lot! 

I got some stuff from ZEP and am curious to try it back to back with purple power.  They make great cleaning products.  Grab a can of rapid solv if you can, it works very well for many automotive cleaning situations

[IronClad]

The NSA just notified the EPA about this. 


Is MEK even available these days?

can still buy it at ACE round these parts in commiefornia

[emsvitil]

I can only get paint thinner when I'm in Bakersfield visiting my parents,   can't get it in los angeles

[helipilot77]

I have a trick for turning a plain preasure washer into a steam cleaner. I hook the water supply hose to my hot water heater drain. For parts cleaning I keep a bucket of simplegreen at full strength. For mor stubborn stuff I have purple power. Then for stuff that is even more stubborn I use mineral spirits. If the mineral spirits doesn't get it clean then I use mechanical removal and elbow grease.

[abnormaltoy]

can still buy it at ACE round these parts in commiefornia

Hmm, maybe it was just because of the local damage. 





Other than that...we used to use kerosene.

That Purple stuff will eat you alive. Wear gloves if you use it, if you don't it'll make you skin look like a drying mud flat.

[Nation]

I have a trick for turning a plain preasure washer into a steam cleaner. I hook the water supply hose to my hot water heater drain. For parts cleaning I keep a bucket of simplegreen at full strength. For mor stubborn stuff I have purple power. Then for stuff that is even more stubborn I use mineral spirits. If the mineral spirits doesn't get it clean then I use mechanical removal and elbow grease.

Where does one get a cleaning ghost?