Parts Washer
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 154
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From: Millbury MA
Parts Washer
Anyone using a parts washer? I got one from Santa and would like to know what type on degreaser to use. I know that the parts cleaner available in auto stores is comes with very strong fumes. What about something like Greased Lightning? Anyone tried this type?
Mike
Mike
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 814
Likes: 2
From: WESTLAKE LA
If you have a Sam's locally ,they sell a purple cleaner for about 5.00 per gallon.Looks and smells like the high priced Castrol cleaner.Do not dilute it and that stuff will clean just about anything incluidng cuts and scratches on your hands 
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Originally Posted by tersian
I use mineral spirits but I may be old fashioned. 
Although I am up to trying something diff. I wish I had an old dishwasher to run them through after the parts washer. I might have been better served to get a big tub to do the preliminary washing with solvant then got an old dishwasher to run them through after.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,161
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From: pr, frederick md.
MAN, IVE SEEN PEOPLE USE GAS, KEROSENE, its amazing the stuff we used to do?! i mostly use a cleaner i get from work we use on escalators. its called ozzy juice, no kidding, and if it will clean greasey escalotors its good enough for you!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,028
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From: San Antonio Texas
Originally Posted by COMMANDER370
If you have a Sam's locally ,they sell a purple cleaner for about 5.00 per gallon.Looks and smells like the high priced Castrol cleaner.Do not dilute it and that stuff will clean just about anything incluidng cuts and scratches on your hands
yes, and tastes good on rice krispees too. really makes them snap, crackle and pop.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Just remember... the pumps in those parts washers are basically aquarium pumps and are not designed to handle strong/flamable solvents. I don't believe you can dump mineral sprits, lacquer thinner or gasoline in them.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
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Originally Posted by Tom454
Just remember... the pumps in those parts washers are basically aquarium pumps and are not designed to handle strong/flamable solvents. I don't believe you can dump mineral sprits, lacquer thinner or gasoline in them.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 584
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From: Okemos MI
Originally Posted by Hvymtlc5
If you have a Harbor Freight, they sell different types of cleaners for the washers at very reasonable prices. Guess you could order on-line too.
Works good for me and no dangerous fumes!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Originally Posted by Tom454
Just remember... the pumps in those parts washers are basically aquarium pumps and are not designed to handle strong/flamable solvents. I don't believe you can dump mineral sprits, lacquer thinner or gasoline in them.
Place I bought my washer at sold me the mineral spirits with the washer, not saying that it is right but that is what happened.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Use of solvents will be based on pump design. Depends on where you buy the rig. If you read the fine print, MOST of the pumps are not to be used with flamable solvents.... the motor is not "spark free". You can blow yourself into next week.
RE: The gasoline smell.... you can set up a parts washer to use a electric fuel pump as well. All you need is a 12volt power supply. Have no clue what ya'll smelled or why or where.
I was considering using cheap flamable solvents (very effective parts cleaner) as well, until I DID read the fine print.
Just read the fine print. That's all I'm saying.
RE: The gasoline smell.... you can set up a parts washer to use a electric fuel pump as well. All you need is a 12volt power supply. Have no clue what ya'll smelled or why or where.
I was considering using cheap flamable solvents (very effective parts cleaner) as well, until I DID read the fine print.
Just read the fine print. That's all I'm saying.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
right,right..when i was a kid i remember hanging in the garage and the parts washer had a petro. smell,,, i dont know or dont care if he was using a fuel pump or not, but it was a petro product,, such as mineral spirits
Last edited by carl a; Jan 5, 2005 at 05:57 PM.