Which solvent for a parts washer

[lars]

So what solvent or cleaner do you recommend for using in a parts washer? Princess Auto has something called Power Kleen which is water soluable and costs $25 and is enough concentrate for a 20 gal tank. Is Varsol a lot better than the water-soluable cleaners?

Will water-soluable cleaners rust my parts if I leave them in for long periods?

...lars

[Tmax]

i would use varsol. the only reason to use the water soluable ones is if you cant get the reall stuff.

[lars]

What about safety? I've got a furnace in my garage. Are Varsol's fumes flammable?

BTW, where's the best (ie: cheap) place to buy 10 or 15 gals of Varsol?

...lars

[Tmax]

you can get 5 gallon jugs from home depot. i think the correct solvent for parts washers are not flamable

[HMFI]

I looked at my washer after I dumped solvent in and it said "risk of spark, use water soluble solvent only". Not sure what type of solvent I have in there, the regular Recochem stuff and no fire from the pump yet.

I wouldn't worry about the fumes and the furnace unless they are side by side, but should be non flamamble solvent anyway so no issues.

[POWERWAGON]

all sovents are flamable. the aquious (water based) and safer for you.

the old solvent is a "T" chemical, destroys your liver, wrecks your DNA, birth defects, dries out you skin. serious health concerns. easily absorbs into you skin. the fumes actually enter you body fast through your eyes.

the water based ones are a very powerful soap. no fumes, no special handling, no saety clothing. does it work as fast as solvent, no. but since you are asking which to use, i assume that the application is for personal use at home. productivity doesn't really matter.

if you can, instal a small heater into the soapy water, then the cleaning action increases.

[Dan]

The princess auto solvent tank I have here was labeled all over it do not use flamable solvents

so I asked them for a non flamable solvent, and suprise, they don't have one.

I use TCI 105 H.D. http://chem-techindustries.com/pdf/105HDProductsheet.pdf

It smells nice, and they claim it to be biodegradeable.

[robo51]

we use this citrus based stuff at work .. works real nice and smells like orages.. doesnt burn at all and is water soluble ..i can get the excat name and product code if ya need its about 100$ for 20lts..

[lars]

Thanks for all the responses. Until I enclose my furnace, I'll go with the water soluable stuff. I bought Power Kleen from Prince Auto. It doesn't work as well as the Varsol I used when cleaning my auto transmission pieces but after leaving my parts in it over night, they came out pretty clean. The stuff smelled ok when I put it in the tank but after a night of my greasy hub sitting in it, I kinda wish it had the solvent smell of Varsol. ;-)

...lars

[tag92yj]

we have a Hotsy parts washer at work and it is awesome.doesn't use solvent,it's a detergent based chemical powder you mix with water.supposed to be biodegradeable.we have to be green on the beach in white rock.;)

[lars]

we have a Hotsy parts washer at work and it is awesome.doesn't use solvent,it's a detergent based chemical powder you mix with water.supposed to be biodegradeable.we have to be green on the beach in white rock.;)

Where are you located in White Rock? Are you Tag at White Rock Muffler?

...lars

[tag92yj]

Where are you located in White Rock? Are you Tag at White Rock Muffler?

...lars

>yup,how goes larry?long time no see.

[derekj]

Ditto on the hot water washer. We have one at our shop and man does it clean! It will get brake rotors so hot after 5 minutes that you can't pick them up w/o using a rag or gloves.

Derek

http://karchercuda.com/Top_Load.aspx

[AndrewH]

Where are you located in White Rock? Are you Tag at White Rock Muffler?

...lars

also to help keep the solvent clean you can toss in 4 liters of water for a 20 gallon tank. It sinks to the bottom and when the grease/crap settles down it falls through the water and then after a while you can drain out the water and out comes all the crap.

only add about 4 liters as the pump doesn't pull from the bottom inch or so from the tank.

I use varsol in mine, nice and cheap too!

Andrew

[Tmax]

also to help keep the solvent clean you can toss in 4 liters of water for a 20 gallon tank. It sinks to the bottom and when the grease/crap settles down it falls through the water and then after a while you can drain out the water and out comes all the crap.

only add about 4 liters as the pump doesn't pull from the bottom inch or so from the tank.

I use varsol in mine, nice and cheap too!

Andrew

holly crap. no way. i will try that tomorow. thanks
:beer_cheers:

[AndrewH]

holly crap. no way. i will try that tomorow. thanks
:beer_cheers:

also toss a little valve in the bottom of the tank so it is easy to open close when draining the water.

[lars]

also to help keep the solvent clean you can toss in 4 liters of water for a 20 gallon tank. It sinks to the bottom and when the grease/crap settles down it falls through the water and then after a while you can drain out the water and out comes all the crap.

only add about 4 liters as the pump doesn't pull from the bottom inch or so from the tank.

I use varsol in mine, nice and cheap too!

Andrew
A guy at KMS told me that, too. But since that Power Kleen I'm using is water soluable, that trick won't work. ;-) So just how cheap is Varsol??

...lars

[shakey84cj]

A guy at KMS told me that, too. But since that Power Kleen I'm using is water soluable, that trick won't work. ;-) So just how cheap is Varsol??

...lars

cheap cheap, and it's the best thing to use in a solvent tank, that's what they make it for. Also lars, I run a household furnace in my shop as well and the tank of Varsol is nothing to worry about.