Parts Washer Degreaser Choices

[mrcubcadet]

As some of you might have saw, I recently bought a 20 gallon parts washer from Harbor Freight.


I went ahead and picked up a gallon of their purple water-based degreaser, as shown in the picture. Seems to work ok...but was wondering if there would be anything better to use, for taking off oil buildup. Plus, the nearest Harbor Freight is a little over an hour away.






I was looking a TSC's degreasers...What do you guys think? I want something that will be safe on the pump, as well as take off oil and dirt buildup.




http://www.tractorsupply.com/clean-r...1-gal--0131013

http://www.tractorsupply.com/vehicle...1-gal--1033022

http://www.tractorsupply.com/oil-eat...1-gal--1022898

[mrcubcadet]

This is the Harbor Freight degreaser that I bought...they sell and recommend this for the washer.


http://www.harborfreight.com/1-gallo...ser-42997.html

[ol'George]

I used to use mineral spirits but it got costly, so I just use Kerosene.
When it gets really nasty, I use it for fire starter for the shop wood burner in winter.

[R Bedell]

True parts washer solvent is about $90.00 for a 5 gallon pail here locally. I went to Mineral Spirits which is about 1/2 the price. Mineral spirits seems to work good for my intended uses.

[mrcubcadet]

I wish I could use mineral spirits...but the guy at Harbor Freight says that if the pump fails, and you used mineral spirits, they won't replace it.

[CADplans]

There is two ways to "safely" remove dirt and oil.

Petroleum based - flammable
Dissolves the grease base dirt
Kerosene, mineral spirits, acetone, gasoline, etc.......

Caustic based - non flammable
Acts like soap and gets "under" the grease/dirt to allow removal.
Greased Lightning, Purple Power, etc......

I do not recommend either over the other, but, you can see they work differently.

Both remove the oil from your skin, causing all types of problems.

Caustic based have a hard time with heavy (thick) buildup.

The caustic based cleaners MUST be water rinsed after to remove/neutralize the cleaner.

The petroleum based will evaporate, no water required.



Actually, I prefer a 3500 psi pressure washer to either of the above.

It is easier on my skin!!

[juniors1282]

I use the parts cleaner from TSC, works great and it was 40 bucks for a 5 gal. can. I have the same parts washer and it works fine in it.

[Merk]

by mrcubcadet
I wish I could use mineral spirits...but the guy at Harbor Freight says that if the pump fails, and you used mineral spirits, they won't replace it.

I have the same parts washer for 15 plus years. Been using mineral spirits since day one with no problems.

How long is the warrenty on the parts washer?

One thing to remember on the water base cleaners is the will freeze in the winter if you live a cold area part of the country. It may hurt the pump.

[mmzullo]

I've been using diesel fuel for 20 plus years. Then when it gets dirty just put it in the waste oil container at the recycle center. Gasoline is way too flammable plus it leaves a film on most bearings that are not good for it(so I heard).

[green 4 acres]

I had a dishwasher that was leaking a little as it was a steel tub . So i hooked it up in the shed and put a switch to manually operate the heater. I used a little degreaser in water you had to turn the parts but it cleaned ok
trying to replocate are high pressure one at work ,once you use it you don't want to go back to solvents . Cal. outlawed the use of benzene years ago major cancer risk .