Parts Cleaner...what does everybody use

[747driver]

Since I have my new barn up I can get a shop better outfitted. Looking for a parts cleaner. The popular ones I am looking at only allow water based solvents. I would like to use oil based solvents but these popular units pump will not work. Is the water based solvents really that good to not have to use oil based solvents ? Maybe I could buy a oil based solvent pump and install it ?

Thanks for any info

 

[Big Barn]

I’ve used oil based solvents in my tank for over 30 years.

A couple of weeks ago (no one can call me impulsive) I finally added a remote filtering system to (hopefully) extend the cleaning life of the solvent.

 

[747driver]

I’ve used oil based solvents in my tank for over 30 years.

A couple of weeks ago (no one can call me impulsive) I finally added a remote filtering system to (hopefully) extend the cleaning life of the solvent.



View attachment 573486View attachment 573487

Nice setup ! Is that the original pump or did you get a pump for oil based solvents ? What is the filter system you made

 

[Big Barn]

Everything about the tank including the pump is OEM. The only thing upgraded is that filtration system.

I had the remote mount filter setup salvaged off a hydraulic system years ago. They are readily available online and at automotive retailers. Usually around $30. Get one that accepts standard off the shelf Ford-GM etc engine oil filters to keep replacement cost down.

The only other items you will need are appropriate fittings and oil resistant hose. HTH

 

[Fallon]

I picked up a HF tank & 2 5 gallon buckets of the TSC solvent. Worked fine except all the crap accumulating in the bottom. The water only pump worked fine.

I ended up doing the aforementioned oil filter trick. I also got an old small Zep tank on a 30 gallon drum. Put the bigger HF tank ontop of that & used the old pump that came with the Zep tank. The HF tank now drains into the 30 gallon drum through a stocking to filter out big chunks. The fluid now gets pumped up from below after settling out then through the oil filter. Nice clean fluid all the time. Overkill, but it was a cheap upgrade. No photos at the moment.

Something with the 30 gallon drum as a sump is $400-600 if you get one new. Probably not 5x better than the $100 Harbor freight special. A nice new petroleum rated pump is only $75 or so if the HF pump dies.

 

[moship]

With respect to water based cleaners.

I've used various solvent products from the commercial service places over the years and something I still can't believe that works great without the fumes is Purple Power or Castrol's Purple Cleaner. Purple Power is inexpensive and readily available for $7 or less a gallon. It seems to do a much better when parts are greasy or have that baked on oil residue. Example: Pushrods that have that dark golden sheen to them after 100,000 miles of use.

Just be careful with painted parts. Sprayed the cleaner on a JD750 7A Backhoe (excess grease and pivot points) and the paint started to turn yellow as if it bleached out the blue pigment from the green paint. Also minimize skin exposure as it can really dry it out... You'll notice it the day after using.

It also seems to leave some type of residue that keeps bare metal from flash rusting. It won't last forever, but I haven't had a problem hosing the cleaner off iron/steel parts and drying with rag.

Example: Clean-Rite Purple Power Cleaner/Degreaser, 2.5 gal. at Tractor Supply Co.

 

[Oldoak]

I must be plain old fashioned. I suppose it comes along with my screen name.

I still use kerosene in a bucket or plastic wash pan of some sort along with old paint brushes. Just have to make sure no bristles come loose and get stuck in any bearings I may be washing at the time. When the kerosene gets to griming for cleaning parts, I save it and use it when I have brush piles to burn.

 

[Oldoak]

Deleted double post.

 

[747driver]

I must be plain old fashioned. I suppose it comes along with my screen name.

I still use kerosene in a bucket or plastic wash pan of some sort along with old paint brushes. Just have to make sure no bristles come loose and get stuck in any bearings I may be washing at the time. When the kerosene gets to griming for cleaning parts, I save it and use it when I have brush piles to burn.

Thats the way I have always done it to. Usually use mineral spirits or brake cleaner. Kerosene is a good choice also. The thought of having a filter and pump pressure to clean with seems nice. But then again I don't need it to often .

 

[/pine]

Parts stores and places like HF have assortments of stiff poly mechanics brushes that work great...

depending on the part...I use a cheapo electric pressure washer for a lot of initial rough cleaning...even bearings can later be immersed in a water displacing fluid and blown out with dry air...

The light duty PW also works good for lightly blasting things like u-joint yokes etc. (that are caked with grease and dirt) before having to put hands on them...!

Always wear eye protection...be careful out there...!