(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

Oil eater product / what to use in a parts washer?

A

Alan K

Well-known Member
I know this topic has been beat to poo lol, but I have a parts washer in the
shop and am wondering what to use for a cleaning solution. I have thought about
mineral spirits but Im not sure the pump on it would last and am wondering about
fumes as I do use a Knipco style heater for heat in the winter. Has anyone ever
used a product called Oil Eater from TSC? Im not a fan of water based cleaners
as it may get down to below freezing but I dont want a big boom in the shop
either.
 
I too like the solvent from NAPA but it has gotten very expensive, think the last I got some time ago was $10.00 a gallon!!!!
 
Part of the concern I have with parts washing solvent from most places is they are a petroleum based product. Some places the solvent is the same as mineral spirits, but the fumes is my concern running the heater.
 
I got a drum of carwash soap concentrate (for free!). Worked pretty slick. It would peel paint it was so strong, but being water base was essentially fumeless.
 
I've used 5 gallons of Kerosene and a gallon of cleaner concentrate like Gunk or equivalent. Very few fumes, never had a problem running my Knipco heater, just don't aim it right at the parts cleaner.

SON used mineral spirits in his parts cleaner. No fumes, cleaned about as good as my Kero.

The water soluble cleaners I've heard lots of complaints on, poor cleaning, parts or the cleaner itself rusts.
 
I started out with Oil Eater but found Purple Power is the same and about half the cost. I use it full strength to soak parts, usually overnight. Hot water rinse and it gets the parts so clean they will flash rust in ten minutes and it takes off paint. I like it because I can use clean parts in the basement without the wife squaking about fumes. Haven't used my parts washer in years.
 
There are other interesting suggestions here, especially the Purple Power suggestion.

Anyway, I just wanted to offer I use Oil Eater in a Oil Eater washing tank with heater and pump. It works real good. I got a good deal on my tank. Those offered now seem outrageous cost wise.

Just offering my two cents. I got to remember to try the Purple Power idea.

Paul
 
I wouldn't worry too much about the fumes unless an open flame heater is sucking air right off the top of the parts washer. I certainly would keep a lid on the parts solvent whenever it isn't being used though. Come to think of it my parts washer with mineral spirits is about six feet away from the hanging heater in my shop and has been there for a good twenty years without incident.

All of these environmentally safe non petroleum based solvents just don't work well. They do a good job with light oil but are ineffective on anything heavier than that.
 
My heater is about 20 feet diagonally from the parts washer and pointed at 90
degrees from it so the heat circulates in the shop. The reason I wondered
about fumes is they generally say to be careful about ignition sources around
18" above the floor, that is why I was concerned about the Knipco since they
are right at that level. I also wondered about adding some weatherstripping to
the lid of the parts washer to possibly help with the evaporation issue as well as fumes. Not sure
that would help or not.

I also wondered about adding some ATF to the parts washer solution to lube the pump. It is, Im sure one of the cheap "fountain pumps" they generally use now days. I agree, the water based products I havent heard good things about generally.
I know some parts washer manuals say to use a non corrosive water based
product in them. So that pretty much means water and dish soap as all water
based cleaners Ive seen are labeled very corrosive.
 
Back in the early 80's I ran a truck shop.

We had the Safti-Kleen service. That stuff would take the stripes off of a zebra, strong petroleum based solvent.
The parts washer had a fire fuse for the lid and was no more than 5 feet from our flame cutting table, the service guy never said anything and we had regular fire department inspections, never a problem.
Yes, it pays to be careful but can get out of hand at times, now gas fumes are another thing!!
 
I kind of figured gas fumes were another animal but wanted to make sure. You
dont get a do over lol.
 
My parts washer when I got it I just got the stuff the store had, should have had an extra 5 gal bucket but got all they had and they never got any more im, Don't remember what it was called but when got low enough I just added kerosine, felt the same. I never gould use the pumo as it put out such a strong spray it was like using a pressure washer nozzel against a piece you were holding in your hand. Wish the pump would have been usuable to hold a part under the running fluid to clean but if trying that everything within 10 foot would get sprayed, So just use it as container.
 

I've been using a mixture of 4 gallons kerosene and 1 gallon mineral spirits for years. Cheaper than straight mineral spirits and parts don't flash rust as bad, also doesn't evaporate as bad as straight mineral spirits.
Never tried the water base stuff but my shop isn't always heated so freezing could be a issue.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
Pump for parts washer needed
Replies
5
Views
367
SPMN
S
T
Lubricants to use on engine rebuild
Replies
14
Views
497
dr sportster
D
T
Which hydraulic oil to use for 1635
Replies
5
Views
413
toddt73
T
T
John deere model A oil outlet washer question
Replies
6
Views
476
Tstoner
T
G
Using heavier gear oil in a super dexta
Replies
4
Views
526
Majorman
Majorman
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top