parts washer
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 9
From: staten island ny
parts washer
Anyone using a parts washer in their garage or shop? Was looking to pick one up from harbor freight but they couldn't recommend what cleaner to use. What are you guys running in your washer? Mine will be in my basement so hopefully something that's not to "pungent"....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,448
Likes: 160
From: JARRELL TEXAS
Do not under any circumstances put your parts cleaner in your basement. I would venture to say that 80% to 90% of the parts cleaner is solvent based and flammable.
Most auto parts stores have parts cleaner in in 5 gal cans... Tractor Supply also carries it. I have used Kerosene in a pinch.
Lastly you will need a place to dispose of the used solvent.
Most auto parts stores have parts cleaner in in 5 gal cans... Tractor Supply also carries it. I have used Kerosene in a pinch.
Lastly you will need a place to dispose of the used solvent.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,742
Likes: 843
From: Gulf of America
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Having tried the nonflamable fluid, I returned to using mineral spirits available in 5-gal jugs at paint stores. The nonflamable fluid just wouldn't cut the grease fast enough or as good as mineral spirits.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,960
Likes: 579
From: Pittsburgh PA
I use a product called "oil eater" made by Kafko. Can buy it on amazon it's like $10/gal. Dilute with water. A 5 gal bucket is enough to fill my 30 gal cleaner
It is non flammable and it works just fine for everything I have used it on. Has no odor.
And yes I have used kerosene, thinner, diesel, you name it.
It is non flammable and it works just fine for everything I have used it on. Has no odor.
And yes I have used kerosene, thinner, diesel, you name it.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 44,677
Likes: 1,830
From: Huntsville AL
My parts washer story; found a professional parts washer on Craigslist local for $150 that sells new for around $1500. Got it home and cleaned up and just needed some solvent. Took 30 Gal of Crown PSC 1000 at $40 per 5 Gal can at Tractor Supply. 
Cost me $200 in solvent for that $150 parts cleaner. But it is a kick *** parts washer.
Cost me $200 in solvent for that $150 parts cleaner. But it is a kick *** parts washer.
Last edited by Mr D.; Mar 26, 2017 at 05:40 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 66
From: Killeen Texas
My parts washer came from tractor supply, I change the solvent every 3 years at a cost of 160.00 I would not be with out it but it is flammable and I keep the cover closed when not using it. I also have a fire extinguishers all over my shop that's a metal building.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 84
From: Round Rock TX
I have the small Harbor Freight one and bought some safety kleen solvent from a shop for a few bucks. It cuts the grease fairly well, but didn't like that it didn't have a brush that had solvent running through it. I bouts a slip on one that went over the nozzle and works great.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 9
From: staten island ny
I have the small Harbor Freight one and bought some safety kleen solvent from a shop for a few bucks. It cuts the grease fairly well, but didn't like that it didn't have a brush that had solvent running through it. I bouts a slip on one that went over the nozzle and works great.
Last edited by ESU; Mar 27, 2017 at 09:26 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 9
From: staten island ny
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 9
From: staten island ny
Do not under any circumstances put your parts cleaner in your basement. I would venture to say that 80% to 90% of the parts cleaner is solvent based and flammable.
Most auto parts stores have parts cleaner in in 5 gal cans... Tractor Supply also carries it. I have used Kerosene in a pinch.
Lastly you will need a place to dispose of the used solvent.
Most auto parts stores have parts cleaner in in 5 gal cans... Tractor Supply also carries it. I have used Kerosene in a pinch.
Lastly you will need a place to dispose of the used solvent.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 9
From: staten island ny
I use a product called "oil eater" made by Kafko. Can buy it on amazon it's like $10/gal. Dilute with water. A 5 gal bucket is enough to fill my 30 gal cleaner
It is non flammable and it works just fine for everything I have used it on. Has no odor.
And yes I have used kerosene, thinner, diesel, you name it.
It is non flammable and it works just fine for everything I have used it on. Has no odor.
And yes I have used kerosene, thinner, diesel, you name it.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 9
From: staten island ny
If anyone has an alternative, relatively inexpensive parts washer unit they use as opposed the HF I'd like to hear about it. The HF portable one is like 50 bux and the model with its own cart is like 100.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 44,677
Likes: 1,830
From: Huntsville AL
Drifting
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 84
From: Round Rock TX
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 9
From: staten island ny
Just found this one, a bit more than I wanted to spend but it looks really portable, check out the gasket on the lid, looks like it seals up tight, and has a Brush for me and Duntov.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Cheap hack one here ya go!!
Home Depot;bought a small fountain pump less than $30
Few gallons of purple power, simple green etc
Put pump in bottom of 30 gal kitchen type trash can
Drop part it and walk away
I added piping hot water to it, hey it works.
Those brushes for most those cleaners are pure junk
Home Depot;bought a small fountain pump less than $30
Few gallons of purple power, simple green etc
Put pump in bottom of 30 gal kitchen type trash can
Drop part it and walk away
I added piping hot water to it, hey it works.
Those brushes for most those cleaners are pure junk
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 945
Likes: 10
From: Winston Salem NC
I have a HF stand up parts cleaner. I bought it used and 20gal of solvent came with it. It works well.
Yes, get a fan. I use mine in my garage and have the garage door open too.
Good Luck
Yes, get a fan. I use mine in my garage and have the garage door open too.
Good Luck
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 9
From: staten island ny
Just an update, bought the OEM tools one off Amazon, bigger than I thought. Lid seals up tight with 2 snap locks, has built in brush etc. I tried the krudcutter and oil eater, both water based and quite frankly they both left a lot to be desired. Then again I was working on some old forearms parts with cosmoline. Will move on to the next item, maybe purple power and see how that works... And this pump also says water based only.