Parts Washer

Super-H-Mike · Mar 1, 2012

Off topic, but I am about to clean out my parts washer and refill with new solvent. I have been using Diesel fuel but am wondering if there is something better you guys have used? The Diesel smells and doesn t dry or rinse off cleanly I have found. I like Kerosene better, but I feel it is too dangerous in my shop cuz of fire risk. Any ideas what works well and isn t too costly ? Thanks

mike1972chev · Mar 1, 2012

Mineral spirits is best,BUT EXPENSIVE!!!! Maybe get a good deal on a 55 gallon drum of it???

David G · Mar 1, 2012

I use mineral spirits, at NAPA

old · Mar 1, 2012

Be it diesel or kero it burns about the same as does a lot of things a guy can put in a parts washer. Found that to be so on mine a few years back when I turned off the pump with the lid open it went up in flames or would have if I had not gotten the lid closed fast. They do sell a stuff made just for them but at close to $50 for 5 gal of it to fill one would take $200

Super-H-Mike · Mar 1, 2012

Yes, That expense is what I am trying to aviod ! lol

Super-H-Mike · Mar 1, 2012

Thanks David G and Mike72, what do you remember paying for spirits ?

sflem849 · Mar 1, 2012

I bought the TSC stuff. It was relatively inexpensive and had good reviews on the internet.

rustred · Mar 1, 2012

diesel fuel is absolutely the worst thing to use, not good for your skin. varsol is very dry on the skin . this is good stuff: supersaul 3
it is stable, low volatility, odorless, envirormentaly friendly.
another one is a citrus solvent that dont stink either.

rustred · Mar 1, 2012

there is no price for your health.

Super-H-Mike · Mar 1, 2012

Thank you, I will look up that and the TSC stuff. I wear gloves when washing so no worries about the skin, but I don t care for the smell of the deisel on the parts or in the shop. What do you do, rinse with something or air dry it ? With diesel I have been rinsing with brake cleaner and then blow drying with shop air to get a residue free and dry part, which is what I need. The brake clean only adds to the expense.

JRSutton · Mar 1, 2012

I like kerosene - call me crazy but I actually like the smell of it.

problem is, I can't find it anywhere.

Haven't looked in a while, I'm sure I can get it somewhere, but all my old sources have dried up.

David G · Mar 1, 2012

Don't remember the price. I tried the aqueous solution first and was very disappointed. I think Northern tool and TSC handle it also.

CenTex Farmall · Mar 1, 2012

Check with your local farm fuel distributor or a bulk oil distributor for Varsol/mineral spirits.

Around here I can buy it by the gallon from their bulk tank and its about 2 dollars a gallon cheaper than buying gallon cans at the store. Bring a couple of 5 gallon gas cans and fill them up.

mike1972chev · Mar 1, 2012

Do me a favor and be sure and wear the appropriate gloves when washing parts. Keep your goggles on too!! (just sayin)

old · Mar 1, 2012

Most of the big box stores like Lowe's etc have it in 5 gal cans goes with those heating stoves so they sell both the stove and the fuel for them

Senator · Mar 1, 2012

I've used Kerosene for quite a few years with no problems. Flash point of Diesel is around 140 deg and Kerosene is around 100 deg. Flash point is the temp where it produces enough vapor to ignite.
So unless your parts washer gets above 100 deg Kerosene should be safe enough.

Used to use Stoddards, great solvent but the cost is too high anymore.

CNKS · Mar 1, 2012

Mineral spirits. Seems to be unavailable anymore as parts cleaner. I buy paint thinner made of mineral spirits, same thing. Got some at Home Depot for about $8 per gallon, cheaper than anything else you can buy. I have an overhead furnace, mineral spirits are heavier than air, so shouldn't get to the flame. None the less if I am really sloshing the stuff around I turn the furnace off.

Super-H-Mike · Mar 2, 2012

Thank you gentlemen, I am gonna try mineral spirits this time and see how it goes !

Parts Washer

Super-H-Mike

Member

mike1972chev

Well-known Member

David G

Well-known Member

old

Well-known Member

Super-H-Mike

Member

Super-H-Mike

Member

sflem849

Well-known Member

rustred

Well-known Member

rustred

Well-known Member

Super-H-Mike

Member

JRSutton

Well-known Member

David G

Well-known Member

CenTex Farmall

Well-known Member

mike1972chev

Well-known Member

old

Well-known Member

Senator

Member

CNKS

Well-known Member

Super-H-Mike

Member

Similar threads