What do you use in your parts cleaner?

For the request, sorry, but I'm not proud enough of my welding skills to post pics. I have a thick skin, but not THAT thick to take all the critique from the quality guys here (even if in good humor). But it works.

I have electrical junction boxes, 14"x24"x10". I cut the end out of two of them and welded them together. The tops are hinged and they are NEMA 4 so they seal well. When not in use, I can screw the tops closed to stop evaporation.

I also have 3 extra I'm using individually as carb and small parts washers. I'm mounting them all on a wooden frame with casters.

I used Varsol in the past, but tough to get. I'll be looking for some of the recommendations.

 

for the non-water stuff, i give the old cleaner to my neighbor who burns old oil in a special burner to heat his shop/house/pool water etc...he says that a bit of spirits, gas, or other flammable stuff cleans the system and since he prefilters the glop, it doesn't clog the system - looks like a time maching..yow!...jb

 

Kick ***! Thanks Cliff!

 

gasoline, while I smoke a Madura #50

 

or, for future reference, bring it to me. the only thing I have to pay for to get picked up is waste oil. (which is ironic, because 5 years ago, the same folks used to BUY it from us...see how high gas prices **** things up?)
The schtuff in the tank is saf-t-kleen's version of Varsol. I beleive they call is engine wash or super ninja *** kicking degreaser or somethin like that.

Cool **** I bet you didn't know. You (an individual) can lease a saftey clean tank. you can also buy it straight from them. the wash tubs new are pricey, but they sell "slightly loved" ones as well. they also service them, but for an individual, once or twice a year should be plenty (ours is serviced every 45 days...because we clean nasty,rusty,greasy **** every day.) the filters and traps work *****in.

if this stuf is killin your hands, dump a quart of transmission fluid into it. it takes the edge off, but it still cleans as well. (learned that at a shop where we used naptha. naptha=super duper dry skin.)

and most important. make sure the nozzle is pointed somewhere other than at you balls before you turn it on. Just trust me on that one.

 

Stoddard Solvent. Best I have found.

Dare-to-be-Different, where are you finding the Gunk Degreaser? I have heard of it, but never found it (I thought they had quit making it).

 

Yeah, chemicals and 'the twins' don't mix worth a damn.

 

I haven't bought any in several years. I have about 5 gallons still left from the last batch I made years ago.

I sure hope I can find some again. You have me worried now.

 

I hope it's still out there, I remember reading many 'how to prep a race car' type books (all road race / SCCA / production based stuff) years ago, and the ALL said to use that, said the tech inspectors seemed to like it (like they went easier on you or something if they could smell it on your car). I figure if it works to get track rubber and the other goop off it has to be good stuff. I wonder if it would mix well with Stoddard?

 

I forgot one mix I stumbled across. We had some detergent at work for washing airplanes. I forget the manufacturer but the product was called "red soap" (yes that's what the label said, preprinted even, not in crayon or anything) evidently if you if you spread some of that around on baked on carboned up nasties and then spray it with 100LL aviation gasoline, it boils for a while (don't know what's evolving there, but I wouldn't try it in an enclosed space) and then most of what's left will rinse off with water.

Probably worthless for a tank application, as the stuff never worked as well if you pre mixed it.

Or so I heard.

 

keroseen diesal fuel gasoline purple cleaner mineral spirits i like to switch it up and just use whatever i can get my hands on cheap at the time

 

I Use Kerosene ,its Flammable And Stinks But Works Great.

 

I've tried a whole bunch of stuff over the years, diesel, commercial cleaners, various other solvents, oil based and not. Now I just bite the bullet and buy the correct low flash parts washing solvent. I found an auto parts place 20 miles from my house that was selling it for five gallons 60 bucks. Expensive, but a lot less than repairing, replacing the fire damage your insurance company won't.

 

For you folks looking for the Gunk Degreaser Concetrate I found it at Aircraft Spruce

Here's the link: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/eppages/gunkproducts.php

 

I sell some stuff...nonflammable, nontoxic, biodegradable...good for more than just parts cleaner, just depends on how you dilute it. PM me if interested.

 

Thank you Mr Brian C. I shall order some, now if I cn just get it shipped here. Still wondering about mixing it with Stoddard, guess I'll have to call 'Gunk'.

 

Diesel fuel and it doesnt evaporate

 

I use a water based solvent made here in Brisbane Australia,it EATS all petro
chemicals,& the wast we put on the garden the worms just loveit.
We used to clean the diesel pump areas at some local service stations with it.
This stuff will evan put out a fuel fire is used 1% with water.

 

My parts washer holds 10 gallons. I use 8 gallons of odorless mineral spirits from Lowes and add in 2 gallons of Naptha that I get from a wholesale chemical place. When it`s fresh, I pour in a quart or 2 of Dexron trans fluid to keep my hands from drying out.
I usually drain and refresh every year or so. I take the old stuff to a waste oil guy.

 

Any one use the brand "Blaster" parts cleaner ?