Parts cleaner solvent

[Ted Stryker]

What's Your opinion of the best parts cleaner for a 20 gal. parts tank..? I know that mineral spirits and Kerosene-1 are very effective, but most small time pumps recommend water based solution only or is there a way to make those chemical somewhat non-flammable... Is there a good water based chemical that can cut engine grime with reasonable power, and would You be able to wash the part with it and assemble or would it have to be wiped down with another chemical or break cleaner before assembly..? I could ask many questions, but I'd like to hear Your thoughts and experiances.. Thanks

[BUZZIN' DOZEN]

Maybe this will help:)
http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120323

[Jay Smith]

I have now found a solvent sold at Tractor Supply that has been working in my chemical cleaning solvent tank that is sold for the use of their 20 gal. cleaner units. It is not that bad smelling and seems not to evaporate NEAR as quickly as Mineral Spirits do/does in my tank ( MUCH cheaper too ) ....

In the clean room I use a water based cleaner/solvent, I mix Simple Green for the smell and the Purple De Greaser full strength available at Lowes and heat that mix to 100 degrees in my cleaning vat in the assembly room, works great as a final cleaner after the major amount of grease has been removed by the chemical vat in the machine shop area. Then I use a 4000 lbs hot water sprayer to get the soap off and ready to assemble after air pressure drys the part...

Hope that helps,
Jay

[Ted Stryker]

That did give some good info, Buzzin'... I've used some parts cleaners in a few of Our customer shops (diesel trucks/heavy equip shops) and I think they're Varsol/K-1 tanks and I LOVE the way they clean and leave very little residue but I'm not sure that My area could withstand the fumes or fire hazard... It's the remnants of a water based cleaner that I'm assuming they'll have and don't want.. I want to be able to pull it from the tank, blast with air and for the most be ready to assemble... Then again I don't want the flammability if avoidable, but the more that I type makes Me realize that I'm asking for something that just isn't feasbable... Thanks for the reply, forgive the beginner questions and ignorance...

[Ted Stryker]

Jay, I've always used Simple Green for My cleaning in the past and have had wonderful results... I thought about mixing the tank with about 30% Simple Green but I feared the slick soapy feeling residue that it leaves behind which would need to be rinsed with water and I don't want to do that to steel parts... I haven't had good luck with the "purple stuff" on aluminum, it actually made Me wan't to write hate mail to the company :eek:... Thanks for the help Guy's, this is helping...