Parts Washer Cleaning Fluid

[Jimmy G.]

What does everyone do for the fluid in a parts washer as the new environmentally friendly stuff is now $90 for 5 gallons. My parts guy says it is not worth two cents either --- not a glowing recommendation. Will probably buy some Odorless Mineral Spirits and mix in a little K-1 Any thought or recommendations ??

[Darryl D.]

Re: Parts Washer Cleaning Fluid

Gasoline if you can keep from blowing yourself up.

[Tom K.]

Re: Parts Washer Cleaning Fluid

I have not changed mined for while, so I just keep adding k-1. It still works great. I have heard that the new environmently friendly is just that and not good for cleaning.
Tom

[Gary J.]

Re: Parts Washer Cleaning Fluid

Jimmy, I have been using lacquer thinner to clean parts, but not in a parts washer. I usually pour it up in a spray bottle. If you use this method Home Depot has the wide mouth spray bottle which makes pouring up easier.

[Randy R.]

Re: Parts Washer Cleaning Fluid

I get mine at Tractor Supply (TSC). It is a ag supply store. It is also available at one of the local bulk petroleum dealers.

[Alan D.]

Re: Parts Washer Cleaning Fluid

Diesel Fuel - have added an external screw on filter, seems to help a little.

[Domenic T.]

Re: Parts Washer Cleaning Fluid

I use diesel fuel for my parts wash and only Berrymans carb cleaner for carbs & paint removal. NAPA sold me brand X carb cleaner and I took it back because it didn't clean a bit, and had them get me Berrymans.

Dom

[Gary R.]

Re: Parts Washer Cleaning Fluid

I have been using Ozzy Juice for the past 10 years. It cleans oil based products fine.

[Jim D.]

Re: Parts Washer Cleaning Fluid

I have an Associated Petroleum Products close by so I stopped by and picked up two 5 gal. cans of Stoddard Solvent.

[Johnny C.]

Re: Parts Washer Cleaning Fluid

+1 on the Ozzy Juice

[John D.]

Re: Parts Washer Cleaning Fluid

For my ultrasonic cleaner that has a heater and a timer that's independent of the ultrasonic tank here's what I use.
Zep All-Purpose Cleaner and Degreaser. Concentrate that I buy from Lowe's in gallons. Label said it makes up to 10 gallons. I delute it with water
My rough formula is 2 parts Zep and 5 parts water. The heat is the trick also. I have a huge commercial timer on the wall that can be set for one hour or less. When the bell goes off I can hear it big time without my hearing aids in. It'S Green. Works great. Now if an FI part is really trashed I hang in my bucket of old time carb cleaner that's pretty gross. Then I rinse the part and put it in the Zip solution.
I use it for brass, copper, steel and sometimes for an initial cleaning of fuel meter bowls for FI's that are trashed because of stinky ethanol.
Play around with the mixture. One time I couldn't get it in my small town and Bob Jorjorian sent it to me from Florida. John D

Sorry buy I did not like a lot of your replies guys. Why? Fire that's why. The last few years I have had 4 customers loose their garage and cars because of fires. I just got a new fire system that's connection to Protections One. Love it.
Story: In the fall of 1963 I was cleaning three two barrels for my hot rod. Was using Kunk Carb cleaner in a closed garge. Had a major explosion. Blew the garage door off. Burnt the garage which was under the house. I got burnt and was in shock for a long time. My Dad wasn't too happy either as I recall.
I never use any flammable stuff in my shop. All that crap is outside. Be careful friends. Sometimes we get sloppy and careless.