Opinions - Parts cleaner chemicals??

[Gary Wilkerson]

I had to clean my parts washer. It had 15 years accumulation of grease and grim. The varsol I bought at the time was getting to diluted to do any good.
I'm considering replacing the varsol with the newer citris based cleaners. Varsol is still available in my area.

What are your opinions? What cleaners have worked well for you?

Gary

[Tom D.]

Plain Old Mineral Spirits from Home Depot *NM*

[Dick W.]

Re: Plain Old Mineral Spirits from Home Depot

Mineral spirits work pretty darn good. You might want to add two or three quarts of detergent motor oil. It seems to make it a little easier on your hands, especially fer us'n old folks that cannot seem to remember to use gloves. Bad case of NCRS Disease!

[Gary Wilkerson]

Re: Plain Old Mineral Spirits from Home Depot

Straight mineral spirits. I didn't think of that. I'd need about 12 gallons to fill my washer.
I need to give that serious consideration.

Thanks Gary

[Russ T.]

Re: Plain Old Mineral Spirits from Home Depot

I would refine that recommendation by suggesting that you use "odorless" mineral spirits. It may cost a little more, but you won't get sick from fumes. Works well for me.

[Eugene B.]

Re: Opinions - Parts cleaner chemicals??

Gary,
I use a Safety Clean recirculating cleaner in my shop. I've had it for 20 years and it is great. No fumes and solvent is easy on the skin.

You might look in the Yellow Pages for you city and see if you have a Safety Clean and determine if there product will be fine in your system.

Good luck,
Gene

[Roger S.]

Re: Opinions - Parts cleaner chemicals??

I use Chesterton 801. It is an industrial cleaner based on sodium hydroxide. It has an anti-rust inhibitor and it is water based not hydrocarbon based. I works best when it is heated to 100F. At room temperature its cleaning ability on old heavy grease is marginal but when heated it cuts the grease with ease. The cleaner is not flammable as are the hydrocarbon based cleaners. In looking at the MSDS's the Chesterton 801 is not overly harmful to humans when used properly. Five gallons cost about $90 and it is diluted 5 parts water to 1 part 801 for heavy grease.
For small items I use Chesterton 274 in an aerosol can. This cleaner is hydrocarbon based and has most of the other negative properties of "mineral spirits, etc.".
Roger Stephens

[Craig S.]

Re: Plain Old Mineral Spirits from Home Depot

Gary - check locally in your town for solvent 140 in bulk....it is sold in 55 gallon drums and they will usually pump into your own containers. I have a local Union 76 supplier that sells it this way.....my Graymills takes 50-75 gallons so it is the only affordable option Craig