Safest Parts Washer Solvent?

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turbocruiser

turbocruiser

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Dec 24, 2003
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Hi fellas, this might be borderline chat material but if you will please pardon the question ... I just got a good parts washer and want to know what is the safest parts washer solvent? I've got two options as I see it; use something like kerosene or gasoline once for a particular project and then throw it out at our recycling center down the street, OR find something I can safely store in the parts washer permanently and call it good. Any suggestions. Mods, if this is more chat than tech please feel free to move it. Thanks.
 
Do not use gasoline, kerosene is slightly safer than gas but definatly not 100% safe

mineral spirits is a common washer fill, still flamabe, there are aqueous parts washer solvents out there they are safer, never actually seen any of them in use.

nothing you load in there will last forever eventually it will get loaded with oil and stop being effective.
 
another word of caution--many of the "parts washer" bins that are sold at the chain stores are not designed for use with flammable solvents. They must used water-based solvents (and the water-based don't work all that well). The motors in these units are not spark-proof and can set fire. The other downside is if you live in a climate that has below freezing temperatures any time during the year, you must drain the water-based solvent during those times so it doesn't freeze.

I found all of this out about 6 months ago when I was so eager to buy a 20 gallon parts washer from Northern Tool, only to get it home and open the lid to find a large sticker warning to only use water-based solvents. Too bad it wasn't on the outside of the box, and too bad they stock the flammable solvents right next to this parts washer.
 
If your tank is plastic, you can use water based, if it's metal there will be rust issues. I have used mineral spirits for years, but it's gone way up in price lately. Mineral spirits stinks pretty good the first couple of days, then mellows out. It's not as flammable as it's made out to be, I have done a bunch of "tests" over the years, like shooting grinding sparks into it and have been unsuccessful at setting it on fire.:hillbilly Keeping the lid closed when not in use greatly reduces the fire danger and evaporation.
 
Ross and I used a bucket full of Simple Green when we did his birfs. Any reason this wouldn't be good in a parts washer?
 
turbocruiser said:
YIKES! Isn't naptha super flammable?
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Yes, that is why it works so well. I wouldn't smoke near it ;) but it was fine for parts washing/soaking.

Normally would use a diluted solution of it.

Edit- I did just reread your thread title of Safest parts solution....well that wouldn't be Naptha...of course if something is too safe how well will it work?
 
MaddBaggins said:
Ross and I used a bucket full of Simple Green when we did his birfs. Any reason this wouldn't be good in a parts washer?
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Good thought! Anyone know why this would not work? I thought there was something about Simple Green etching unpainted metals? Thanks.
 
I use a water based solvent in my parts washer and it works great. I had to install a implement heater to warm the solution up when I am washing parts but other than that it is awesome stuff. If you want the info let me know and I can round it up!
 
BFletch said:
I use a water based solvent in my parts washer and it works great. I had to install a implement heater to warm the solution up when I am washing parts but other than that it is awesome stuff. If you want the info let me know and I can round it up!
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Yes please, what it is and where you got it. Thanks so much. :cheers:
 
We filled our tank with biosol sds about 4 years ago and have filtered it once since. It's non-flammable, non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, non-regulated, non-conductive (to 40kv) and fully biodegradable and most importantly, it's effective. Downside is that it's initially expensive and seems harder on the hands than varsol.

http://www.biosolclean.com/products/product_detail.php?productID=6
 
MaddBaggins said:
Ross and I used a bucket full of Simple Green when we did his birfs. Any reason this wouldn't be good in a parts washer?
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I have used Simple green on and off in the parts washer with no problems. Its does not smell and its easy on the hands is why I like it. :princess:
 
Just remember "safe" cleaners can also pit your arms if it gets into your gloves....ask me how I know.
 
I remember seeing a documentary on using eucalyptus oil as a parts washer fluid. Apparently it works really well for cleaning, doesn't affect your skin, and is "eco-friendly", it just stinks like a Vick's Vaporub explosion, there won't be any sinus problems with this stuff. Not sure about the flammability of the stuff though, I would think it would go up like a good Aussie bushfire.
 
I used some stuff when I first started teaching. It was a bio-cleanser. It had a soapy base that was kept warm by the parts washer. It used hydrocarbon enzymes that ate the grease. It had lanolin in it. Your hands came out smelling nice and softer than they went in. The replacement juice was kind of expensive, but there was no problems with disposal so it kinda worked out.


http://www.lakehurst.navy.mil/p2/servlet/DocServletPrint?wDID=87
 
I have used both CitraSolve and Simple Green with good success. Longer soak time seems to be the key.
 
Stoddard Solvent works well

Diesel is good as an initial "dirty" cleaning fluid, then move on to the above or another clean solvent.
 
Well as an update, after all the awesome advice here and some independent searching on the net, I decided to dump about 4 gallons of "odorless mineral spirits" into the washer. Seems to work really well, does not smell strong, and so far no BOOM! Thanks for the advice again. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
 
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